Topic: Today's Harvest

[Jesse]

This is what I harvested today from veg garden and shed.

My batch of homemade soap is ready to use today, just needs a tidy up on the edges and then it will be ready for bath time. Lavender and Tea Tree fragrance, it smells wonderful.




First of the "proper" lettuces were ready for picking today (until now we've been eating the baby leaves from cut and come again varieties). Another batch of spring onions were ready for cutting, some are getting flower heads already. And my first home made cheese is ready today. It had a little bit of mould on the black wax but is perfect inside. It tastes lovely (having some now with my glass of wine). Pictured also is my little helper.

[tim]

Do you do mail order??

[maz]

Home made cheese and soap! Oh how wonderful and very very satifying Im sure.

[dibberxxx]

someone is very clever that cheese looks wonderfull

[return of the mac]

How do you make soap? ???

[Svea]

do post the 'receipes' for the soap and the cheese
ever curious
svea

[Marianne]

Yes please do post the recipes !!

 ;D :D

[wattapain]

Oh wow - that cheese looks absolutely delish.
And the soap - blliant - what a clever gel you are to be sure.
Yes please do share the recipes.
Terri  ;D 8) ;D

[Jesse]

Both the soap and cheese are really quite simple to make. There are a few safety considerations for making soap because you are working with caustic soda so I would recommend you get a good soap making book to give you the guidance you need. The one I started out with is a book by Melinda Coss, can't remember the title now, something like The Handmade Soap Book. The cheese recipe was posted on another forum where I am a member. I will find out if it's okay for me to either post a link or copy the instructions over here.

[Jesse]

For those who showed an interest and for anyone else who is interested in having a bash at making their own cheese (or any other household goodies) here is the forum where I got my recipe.

http://mrsl.forumsplace.com/message55.html

[Marianne]

Thanks Jesse ! going there now  ;D

[ellkebe]

Fascinating - thanks for the link Jesseveve.  I can feel some half term projects coming on  ;D

[SpeedyMango]

Wow! I've just GOT to have a go at making cheese!!

Do you have to use whole milk or can you use semi-skimmed or skimmed, do you know?

[Jesse]

I'm not sure if you can use semi or skimmed, I used whole milk. You could ask the question through the link I posted, there's lots of people there who know a lot more about cheese making than me.

[tim]

By the way - the 'human' product is beautiful too. Nice going!!

[aquilegia]

wow.

I have got to try making that cheese...

How long did you leave it to mature?

[Doris_Pinks]

Cor, something I have always wanted to try is making cheese, but never have gotten around to doing it.........I feel inspired now!! Thanks Jess, I shall give it a go too! ;D
(PS; Was it a strong tasting cheese?)

[Jesse]

Thanks Tim. Aqui, I left it for 3 weeks and DP it was a mild tasting cheese, if you leave it longer it is meant to get stronger but I couldn't wait, 3 weeks was long enough!