Topic: Anyone into making cheese?

[BarriedaleNick]

I have just made some Halloumi - it's not very nice! but it has made me want to do more so I am spending a wet Sunday online looking at various odd American videos on Ricotta, Feta, etc...

Anyone else out there interested or got any recipes??

[pumkinlover]

You not watching the women's road race ? ;)

[Digeroo]

I fancy trying Paneer you only need lemon or lime juice.  

I eat a lot of quark and would quite like trying to make some of that.

Watching cycling is like watching paint dry.  I want more badminton.

[BarriedaleNick]

Pl - I have it on ipalyer in the background - I can watch the cycling all day but I admit it is an aquired taste!
I am trying to find a local supply of quality non homgenous milk as you need a lot of milk to make a surprisingly small amount of cheese!

[goodlife]

I occasionally make some kefir cheese, sort of 'fresh' creamy cheese and spice it up with garlic or chives, what ever flavour may take my fancy. Kefir will sepate into curds and whey naturally so cheese is handy to do when the kefir drink mature bit too far.
Other 'cheese' I do is eggy cheese.. http://www.cookipedia.co.uk/recipes_wiki/Munajuusto_cheese..again another 'fresh' cheese. Recipe is here (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/ruoka/reseptit/artikkeli/Munajuusto/1135244639455
I've had ago in past with 'proper' cheese making, but when you don't have milk supply handy other than shop bought, cheese making is not cheap hobby and the results are not always so nice. I did do one really 'mean' blue cheese, beginers luck as I never managed to repeat that success.. ::)

[BarriedaleNick]

Thanks goodlife - not heard of Kefir - something to read uo on I think..

[Obelixx]

I teach Engish to Belgian scientists and one of them is a specialist in milk products and kefir in particular.  Very healthy properties apparently especially for ashtmatics and cholesterol levels and other stuff.

[pumkinlover]

Is it worth trying a farmers market Nick?
We get ours from a farm near where I work- but thats not much help to you!
I did not realise people on here made their own cheese- there are so many interesting folks on this site :)

Sorry about the off topic post BTW :-[

[Palustris]

That takes me back. I used to make 'cheese' every year with my class of Primary school children. Milk heated to 98f and left to cool. Vegetable rennet to make it separate. Squeezing through a cloth. Mixing with salt. I am sure there was more to it than that , but it was 20 years ago.

[BarriedaleNick]

Is it worth trying a farmers market Nick?
We get ours from a farm near where I work- but thats not much help to you!
I did not realise people on here made their own cheese- there are so many interesting folks on this site :)

Sorry about the off topic post BTW :-[

I have just learned that Blackheath Farmers market has a guy that does milk but knowing how posh Blackheath is I expect it to be expensive.
And dont worry about off topic postings - I'm still smiling from the Tour and I keep watching the final stage over and over..

[goodlife]

Thanks goodlife - not heard of Kefir - something to read uo on I think..

I've got  some spare kefir grains if you feel like having a go...kefir grains are starter culture to make kind of sourmilk/ yogurt-like milky drink that can be used for many recipes  like in that Finnish eggy-cheese recipe there is incredient called piima which is very similar to kefir and can be used instead.

[small]

I used to make cheese with goats milk. I bought powdered starter culture and rennet, and just followed a cheddar-type recipe - cutting the curd, stirring, draining, the full works. It took ages, and you got very little cheese from a lot of milk - the cheese was very very nice though. I also made and sold a cream cheese, again using a bought culture, it was pleasant enough but no nicer than Philly. My customers were mostly allergic to bovine protein. I wouldn't recommend doing either unless you have a supply of very cheap milk and a great deal of time on your hands.

[pumkinlover]

Quote from BN

I have just learned that Blackheath Farmers market has a guy that does milk but knowing how posh Blackheath is I expect it to be expensive.

I pay 50p pint- it is in  glass bottles and if I go at the right time I get the "proper" old fashioned milk bottles that do not dribble every time.
 The thick cream is still on top and is gorgeous on meusli.  ;D
The milk is available all the time -just walk in and open the fridge and leave your money. The farmer always comes out and says to me "you're not working today are you??" especially if it is a Sunday!
I'm happy to pay 50p for that! only problem is depending on the route  I  take  and the weather my car gets coated in cow muck and it sets like concrete!

Just found out on the internet that someone in Chesterfield still sells "raw" milk, I've left a voicemail to ask for more info! Great stuff for when not at work!

Pictures of your cheese would be nice :)

[goodlife]

Just found out on the internet that someone in Chesterfield still sells "raw" milk, I've left a voicemail to ask for more info! Great stuff for when not at work!

Ohhh..really!? Let me know if you get lucky..I've tried to get hold of raw milk but never succeeded with it. You can order some frozen raw milk from other side of the country but it is expensive that way.

[goodlife]

Here is site with lot of different cheese recipies..sorry all written in Finnish  ::), if the online translator is not very good, I'm happy to help.. http://kysymammalta.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/juusto.html

[Digeroo]

Just had a go at the Paneer.  Very easy take about 15 mins  plus time for strainer to empty a couple of times.  Interesting result. 

Not sure I like the texture of the result though the lemony flavour was quite pleasant.    It seemed to need quite a lot of lemon juice to get it to curdle.

Used a plastic coffee filter to strain it off.  Use this to make cheap lidl yoghurts into greek style ones.

[pumkinlover]

Just found out on the internet that someone in Chesterfield still sells "raw" milk, I've left a voicemail to ask for more info! Great stuff for when not at work!

Ohhh..really!? Let me know if you get lucky..I've tried to get hold of raw milk but never succeeded with it. You can order some frozen raw milk from other side of the country but it is expensive that way.

Yes we are collecting it on Wed, the farmer only bottles what he knows he will sell so likes to take orders. I used to buy milk from them over 20 years ago but did not realise they still did green top! Will let you know how I go on. It will be in glass bottles and is 55p a pint. I am happy to pay a bit more than the supermarket sells milk for because I have been trying to follow the milk producers / supermarket dispute, and I know whose side I am on.
Also when we go to Bakewell farmers market there is a cheese manufacturer there who sells raw milk in two pint plastic bottles. I cannot remember where it comes from though it is south of here so may be nearer you. Next time I go I'll look out for more info if you are interested.

[goodlife]

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Next time I go I'll look out for more info if you are interested
Yes please.. :-*

[BarriedaleNick]

Thanks goodlife - not heard of Kefir - something to read uo on I think..

I've got  some spare kefir grains if you feel like having a go...kefir grains are starter culture to make kind of sourmilk/ yogurt-like milky drink that can be used for many recipes  like in that Finnish eggy-cheese recipe there is incredient called piima which is very similar to kefir and can be used instead.

Thats really kind of you - can you keep it going like a sourdough culture or do you need to start fresh each time..

[goodlife]

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Thats really kind of you - can you keep it going like a sourdough culture or do you need to start fresh each time..
Yes you can..though you only save the bacterial growth itself to start the next batch of kefir. This 'growth' looks very cauliflower like and eventually it keeps multiplying/growing bigger and you need to devide it into more practical quantity. The 'growth itself you can eat (if you fancy it)..or given to pets in their food or chickens and will do good.. ;D
Here is kefir 'guru'  Dom's pages with tons of info..yes, bit hectic amount to read but you don't need to know it all..just for the interest.. http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html