Friday, September 23, 2005

Homemade cottage cheese...

After all my incessant chattering about how I was going to start making cottage cheese from scratch, several of you asked for pictures and details.


The ingredients before: buttermilk (Laban), cream (creme), salt (sel), dry milk (lait ecreme en poudre), and rennet. Oh, and the cheesecloth.

The votes are in and the cheese making was a success. Not a smashing success, mind you, but definitely worth repeating and perfecting. This first attempt came out with a very soft texture, much like chevre (goat cheese)which we also like. Next time I'll let the curd ripen a bit longer and see if that helps.

As this is a work in progress, check for updates before you make this at home. :)

Ingredients:
1/4 rennet tablet (an enzyme sold as Junket in grocery stores)
1/2 c cold water
1 gallon skim milk
1/4 c buttermilk (let sit at room temp at least 4 hours before using)
1 t salt
1/3 c cream


Step 1: Milk, buttermilk, and rennet

Crush the rennet and dissolve in water. In a large saucepan heat the skim milk to 70 degrees. Add the buttermilk and rennet solution. Stir well, then stir a little more. Cover with a towel and let it sit 18-24 hours until a firm curd forms, called ripening. To test the curd's readiness, cut a small piece from the edge. If the edges are defined and the curd holds its shape, it's ready.


Step 2: Curds separating from the whey

Cut the curd horizontally, vertically, and diagonally (both ways) at one inch intervals. Heat the curds slowly, one degree per minute, to 120 degrees. Hold temperature for 20-30 minutes, stirring gently every five minutes.


Step 3: Cutting the curds

Pour off the whey then drain the curds in a colander lined with cheesecloth. After 2-3 minutes, lift the curds using the four corners of the cloth and dunk them in cold water 1-2 minutes. Stir the curds well. Repeat this process in ice water.


Step 4: Pouring the curds and whey into strainer


Step 5: Draining the whey


Step 6: More draining

Drain the curds until free from whey and place in a large bowl. Add cream and salt to taste. Chill overnight.


The resulting product


Homemade cottage cheese on salad - yum!

Thursday, September 22, 2005

III's creppy pancakes

III invented this recipe tonight when we couldn't decide on buttermilk pancakes or crepes. So he combined the two.


Berry creppy pancakes

Mix 2 c flour, 2 T sugar, 2 t baking powder, 1 t baking soda, and 1/2 t salt in a large bowl.

In a second bowl mix 2 c buttermilk, 1.5 cup milk, 2 eggs, and 4 T oil.

Add wet to dry and mix well. Let sit 15 minutes to an hour before using to avoid a "flour" taste. Cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, flipping once.


Pile of crepes

Serving ideas:
Fresh fruit, like peaches and blackberries
Real maple syrup and cottage cheese (maybe homemade?)
Peanut butter and bananas
Scrambled egg with ham and cheese
Nutella
Sauteed vegetables, like zucchini and tomatoes, with cheese


The chef himself