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Monday, April 25, 2011

Making your own series: cheese

Today, I'm making Fromage Blanc, spreadable cream cheese, sweet ricotta cheese. The nasturtium above will decorate the plates at the end. Nasturtium are edible.


Have you checked the price of cheese lately? The result of your efforts will taste as sweet as cream cheese, and have the consistency of ricotta cheese.
Use it as a spread or as a filling as you would ricotta.
Making your own may end up being just as expensive, but, it will give you an appreciation for freshness and customized taste that will be  the envy of all your friends.

Ingredients:
1 gallon milk. Raw, if you can find it.
1 quart heavy cream
2 tablespoons of fine sea salt
1 large artichoke, halved
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

In a large heavy bottomed stainless-steel pan over medium high heat, combine the milk, cream, salt and artichoke halves. Stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, bring the milk to a scald (165 F). Add the lemon juice and remove from the heat. Stir until the milk curdles completely.
Set aside and after 30 minutes, drain the milk in a cheesecloth lined colander Squeeze and gather the  curds trapped in the cheesecloth. Let the cheese rest for an hour or so.

To serve:
Crack peppercorns and crush thyme leaves before  sprinkling them on the cheese.
Cut a loaf of country bread on the bias and toast with a tad of olive oil
Spread the cheese, add a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

If you have any leftovers, consume in the next day or so.

11 comments:

  1. I bet once you try this cheese, you'll be hooked on it. Fresh, without preservatives. Delicious.

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  2. oh my...have not made cheese before, this is exciting!

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  3. You do know that I started this blog for my grandchild, to get her comfortable cooking. This is so easy to do with kids and the magic food at the end is so delicious, you'll be hooked.

    I save the liquid and use it to cook oatmeal!

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  4. That looks do-able! Looking forward to trying it! Thanks!

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  5. You mean the cooked heart of an artichoke? surely not a whole artichoke leaves and all?

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  6. Wow, I've never tried to make cheese before! Looks like a great recipe to try. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Ellen, a fresh artichoke, cut in half.

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  8. Folks, let me know how your efforts turn out. I'm off to purchase my ingredients. I don't have to buy artichokes, as these are now ready to pick in my garden.
    Thanks for the visit.

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  9. have never made cheese. tempted to try this one :)

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  10. Rosaria, we will try this recipe soon, sounds wonderful. Ron and I have made our own Mozzarella cheese, we always take at least one ball of it and put it into the smoker (absolutely delicious).

    Greetings from Nancy of the Boat House in Birch Bay

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