I have been wanting to make cheese at home since…well, forever. It has always seemed kind of impossible. When I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingslover, her family describes making fresh mozzarella as being relatively easy. Earlier this year I read a post over at A Good Appetite about making mozzarella with success. I decided it was finally time to order a kit from The New England Cheesemaking Company and give it a go. I read the directions about six times and had assistance from J and my mother in law stopped by to check it out. It really wasn’t difficult, and it is kind of like making candy in that once you have done it and know what you are looking for things get easier. I didn’t take pictures of the process this time. Basically, it involves heating the milk with rennet and citric acid. You allow it to stand, cutting the curds, heating and stretching the curds into cheese. I heated the curds in the microwave and I think the heat was really uneven. It was the only step that gave me a little trouble. I plan to heat it on the stove in a water bath next time. Next time, I will probably make it into a rounder ball.
We ate some of our precious homemade cheese plain with a bit of salt and melted the rest over some pasta with roasted red pepper tomato sauce. The cheese was really good and tasted like something we would buy, which in this case was the idea. I was ridiculously proud of myself for finally taking the first step in learning to make cheese. It reminded me of a scene in the movie What about Bob? when Bob goes sailing and can’t contain his over the top enthusiasm. I wanted to run around town telling everyone I made cheese!
oh i so want to do that!!!! how awesome!!!
Wow, looks like you did a great job! Wish I could have a piece too
Isn’t it a wonderful feeling making your own cheese? I was just as proud as you about mine.
You made that good looking cheese? WOW…I think I’ve been here before when you posted another cheese. Are you planning on posting the recipe sometime? Thanks & have a good day!
Ok found the recipe at one of the links. Thanks again…
Deeba- I will post the recipe that I used as well as photos of the process (eventually). Hopefully, I will have more cheesemaking posts in the future…
I’m so impressed that you made your own cheese. Well done!
I am SOOOOOOO proud of you !!! I know this has long been a goal of yours for the kitchen accomplishments – you did it!!
I just read that chapter! SUCH an inspiring book. Your cheese looks fabulous–kudos to you for actually putting the book down and making cheese!
Aimee- I finally convinced my husband to read it. I am hoping he will be inspired too.
That freshly made mozzarella looks great!
Well done! I’ve always put cheese in the “too hard” basket but yours looks wonderful!
I’ve always wanted to do this, especially after reading that book, but have felt a little intimidated. You give me hope that I’d actually be able to pull it off. Sounds like a fun project to do w/ a couple of foodie friends!
Thanks for the links and info about homemade cheese. So inspired to try this out.
Thanks for writing this.