A simple cheese can be made with ingredients and equipment found in most kitchens."Yoghurt cheese" is an introduction.It tastes very similar to cream cheese or neufchatel, even though it is not the traditional kind of cheese.Milk and acid can be used to make a simple, spreadable cheese.Try the process used for most cheeses, a more difficult project involving specialized ingredients such as rennet, once you've mastered this.
Step 1: It's possible to make your own yogurt.
You can skip this step and start with store-bought yogurt.You can make an extra-thick "yoghurt cheese" from scratch if you want it.To make this happen, add the following steps to the recipe.If you want the best results, avoid UHT or ultra-pastuerized milk.The starter culture is available from cooking supply stores and online cheese-making stores.Alternatively, use 2 tbsp (30mL) plain yogurt with live active cultures.Instead of draining in the refrigerator, drain in a yogurt maker for 12–16 hours.The yogurt is kept around 100oF (37oC).
Step 2: Prepare a container.
Place the colander over the saucepan with at least four layers of cheesecloth.You can put as much yogurt as you want on the cloth.You can put the yogurt in a pot instead of tying it up.
Step 3: Keep it refrigerated for 48 hours.
When you get a soft, cream-cheese like consistency from the yogurt, the liquids will drain away.The thicker and more complex the cheese will be if you don't let the yoghurt drain.You can smooth out the "cheese" with a spoon.It will speed up the process if it is allowed to drain at room temperature.
Step 4: Store the cheese.
Transfer the yogurt to a bowl using a clean cloth after draining it.You can use anything you want on the cheesecloth.It's a good idea to eat before it spoils.Salt and herbs can be used for a cracker topping or a light dessert.You can use it as a substitute for milk in baking.
Step 5: Milk can be put into a saucepan.
Whole milk is required for this recipe.Non-homogenized milk has a better flavor than homogenized milk.Milk labeled ultra-pasteurized should not be used.
Step 6: Add acid to the milk.
While you test the milk with a waterproof pH meter, stir in the acidic ingredient.Continue until the pH reaches 6.0.Lemon juice has a strong flavor.Lemon juice has a cleaner flavor than bottled juice.Each time you follow the recipe, Distilled Vinegar will give you predictable results.Some people prefer Baker's citric acid because it adds less flavor.It can be found at a grocery store or baking supply store.
Step 7: The acidified milk needs to be heated.
Slowly heat the acidified milk, while stirring constantly.If the milk is not stirred, it will burn.For 15 to 30 minutes, keep it at this temperature.Once the milk separates, stop stirring.Don't break the curds into smaller pieces.The milk temperature can be measured with an IR thermometer.
Step 8: The whey should be drained out.
The curds should be spooned onto a thick, fine handkerchief.To get the most out of the cloth, squeeze it around the curds.If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use a draining spoon.You can rinse the cheese in clean water.
Step 9: Do you eat or do you chill?
To make a "cream cheese" consistency, drain for five minutes, 15 minutes for a moist spread, and 2 hours in the refrigerator.It's a good idea to keep leftovers in a closed container and eat them before they go bad.Don't leave the ricotta at room temperature for more than 20 minutes.Salt has a slightly longer shelf life.
Step 10: Purchase cultures for making cheese.
You can find these in a grocery store, but more likely you will have to order it online from a cheese-making supply store.Use any for this recipe and most other cheeses.Thesebacteria thrive in cold temperatures.They have to acidify the milk and get it ready for the rennet.The "good"bacteria make it harder for harmfulbacteria to take hold of the milk.You can use a dash of buttermilk as a last resort.Store-bought buttermilk is an unpredictable source of cultures.The flavor could be affected if the cheese fails to form.
Step 11: Buy rennet.
Rennet is available in vegetarian forms as well.You can use any type of cheese.The acidified milk will be separated by the rennet.This can be found from cheese-making supply stores.To convert drops of liquid rennet into tablets, follow the instructions on the label.The tablets need to be 100% rennet.
Step 12: The milk should be in the pan.
The milk can be measured by heating it until it reaches 86oF (30oC).The best pans are non-chipped.The cheese's acidity makes it easy for copper and aluminum to get into it.Pasteurized milk can be used, but cheese made from it may have trouble holding together.Ultra-pasteurized milk won't work.Milk can be used with any fat percentage.Whole milk has a richer flavor than skim milk.
Step 13: Add the culture to it.
Let's sit for a while.After two minutes, mix it into the milk with an up and down motion.
Step 14: Stand and let sit.
Milk should be left in a warm room.The length of this step may be specified by the label on your starterbacteria.Continue after two to four hours if it does not or if you are using buttermilk.The milk should look normal.You may have used too much acid or left it too long.It's difficult to predict how active thebacteria will be, so this is easy to do.It can be used to make cheese, but it might have trouble staying together.
Step 15: Add the rennet to warm the milk.
The milk should be heated up to 86oF (30oC).Dissolve dry rennet in cold water according to the instructions on the bottle.In an up and down motion, stir just as you did with the culture.The water is not likely to affect the cheese-making.
Step 16: Let sit for 4-12 hours.
It should be left at room temperature.Once the cheese has formed a thick, custard-like curd, you're ready to continue.If a clean finger is poked into the cheese, a clear liquid should fill the hole.Try again in 60 minutes if it sticks to your finger.Continue if it's not set after 12 hours.It's possible that your cheese will end up soft and wet.
Step 17: Some of the milk can be drained.
It's a good idea to cover a colander with butter.The draining whey can be caught by placing the colander over the pot.The solid curd should be spooned into the colander.For about fifteen minutes, stir gently with long, slow movements.The fabric used to make this cheese is not thick enough to drain it.You can experiment with other options, but butter muslin is your best bet.
Step 18: Cut into cubes.
Cut it into cubes without squashing it.Place the cubes in the double boiler.When the heat is very low, stir frequently until the curds reach about 100oF.This may take a long time.Don't stop heating until the liquid is gone.When you pick them up, they fall apart in your hand.
Step 19: The cheese needs to be finished.
To preserve the cheese, stir in the salt when you are happy with the consistency.You can mix herbs, fruit, or nuts with the cheese.You can either eat it soft or allow it to dry.The cheese can be kept in a dark place.
Step 20: You can learn about other cheese recipes.
You can make hundreds of different cheeses by using different cultures, aging the cheese, and rinsing the curd.Talk to dairy farmers in your area if you want to learn more about cheese.