I've been wanting to show you all how to make cheese for a while now; basic soft cheese like ricotta or queso blanco is easy and gives you the basics to move into more involved cheeses. The homemade cheese recipe and some book recommendations are below the video.
Click here for an Amazon search for books on how to make cheese. Plus I list the most popular books below.
The GardenFork.TV Home Made Cheese Recipe
Get the freshest best quality milk you can find for this. I have seen raw milk for sale now, but use it at your own risk.
Measure out 2 cups of milk into a microwavable container, a Pyrex pitcher works well for me
Add 1 teaspoon of Citric Acid, you can also use vinegar, if so, use 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
Mix the milk and acid together
Place the container of milk in your microwave and turn on high for 2 minutes
The power rating of your microwave will determine how long to heat the cheese, you want to get the milk to at least 165F, but you can go up to 185F.
When the milk has gotten hot enough, take it out and give it a stir, then let it set for a few minutes.
Pour it thru a fine sieve into a bowl, this will separate the soft cheese from the liquid.
Labradors love this liquid, called whey, by the way.
After the cheese has drained, you are ready to eat. Add a bit of salt and honey to make it even better.
©2014 all rights reserved.
Sandi
Is it really this easy? Ricotta Cheese is really expensive in Turkey...next time I make lasagna this is what I'll do! Thanks 🙂
Tonia Moxley
I really, really cheat, and just strain low-fat or full fat organic yogurt, mix with salt, herbs and garlic, pour it into cheesecloth, tie into a ball, let it sit in a strainer over a bowl in the fridge overnight, and voila, a nice homemade cheese appetizer or spread. I love to use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches.
Debbie T
I'm wondering how a double boiler would work in place of the microwave. It would be a gentler heat.
I'm dying to make my own cheese, thanks for the tips!
Mia Taylor
I knew I did something wrong! I didn't use citric acid, which I definitely think would have helped the taste and overall texture. I'd love to make a cranberry cheese if anyone knows of an easy, good recipe!
Thanks!
Tony Nurre
I bought some citric acid at my local home brewing supply store. A lot of home brewing supply store are selling cheese making equipment now. Mozzarella is a little bit more work but not much more than making riccota.
Evie
If you don't have dogs, don't toss the whey!!! Use it for the liquid in bread baking. It gives a yummy, nutritious loaf. (Whey freezes well if you want to store it for a later baking date.)
Sheila
If you rinse your pan with cold water before you heat milk, or make pudding, or anything else dairy related, you won't have as much possibility of scorching the bottom, and it makes it easier to clean.
Teresa
Whey is also great for lacto-fermenting stuff! amazingly easy, nutritious and good! Has anyone tried this cheese-making with non-whole milk?
Doreen
Nourishing Traditions by Sallie Fallon is a great book and has a bunch of recipes and food ways that are slowly being lost due to agriculture having gone by the way side...the book gives us hope that the old food/agricultural ways are making a come back with more 'eat local', locavor, and slow food movements being highlighted!! Eating local makes sense. Making our own foods gives us knowledge of where it comes from...blahblahblah....I'm preaching to the choir! 😉 Buy the book!! It's fabulous!
Britni @ Our Eventual Homestead
I made this recipe earlier this summer. I had to use my stovetop because we don't own a microwave. The results were great and it was soooo easy!
I'm getting ready to make another batch tonight using fresh milk. Our friend's cow had a baby so she gave us some of the extra milk. Can't wait to see how this batch turns out!
Thanks for all the great videos, keep'em coming!
tracy
my stores carry citric acid in the canning area