I use a culture to make this Fromage Blanc. I used to make a goat milk Chevre using buttermilk and liquid vegetable rennet but using the Fromage Blanc culture gives a more consistent result. This cheese is also a little drier than the Chevre, which I like, it makes it easier to crumble. It can be used in any recipe calling for cream cheese or goat cheese.
All you have to do is heat one gallon of milk to 86 degrees F, stir in the packet of culture and let it sit overnight on the counter. In the morning, pour the curds into a piece of real cheesecloth (not the stuff from the grocery store) and hang to drain for 6 to 8 hours.
I then mix in 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons of salt and put it into a container in the fridge. If desired, you can also mix in some dill, garlic and chives, diced jalapenos, sun dried tomatoes, or anything else that would be found in "flavored" cream cheese. This cheese also freezes exceptionally well but freeze it without the extra add-ins and mix them in after thawing.
I buy my cheesemaking supplies from Caprine Supply but they are also available from New England Cheesemaking Supply.
This Fromage Blanc is really good stirred into pasta sauce to make it creamy, stuffed in celery, crumbled over a salad, spread on a cracker, or combined with some shredded cheddar to make a substitute for "processed cheese spread." More on that later! ;)
Linking up with The Country Homemaker Hop, Rurality Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday and What I Am Eating.
21 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. I hope to make Feta this summer. I love ricotta too.
This looks so easy!! I wonder if it would work with raw cows' milk?
Alica,
Yes, it should work with cow milk just fine! :)
I'm so impressed by you ladies that are making all these yummy cheeses! This one looks wonderful!
The picture of the cheese on a cracker looks incredible!
Oh I love this I used to make cheese from our cows milk which seems about 100 yrs ago now. Bet it tastes good. B
I don't make my own cheese, which is a good thing because I would then have to eat it all (only one in house that LOVES cheese). This looks very good.
love the pig spreader. :)
I have to try this. I can still remember that great goat cheese taste that was on my Saturday salad, and want some more! :-)
Seems so easy! Now all I need is a goat and I'm set :)
I can't wait 'til I have enough milk for cheese making! Although I am going to make ice cream today....mmmm, goat's milk ice cream
Oh my, yummy! Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #6' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #7...
I got up the nerve to try making cheese with my frozen goat's milk and then read that it doesn't turn out as well if it isn't fresh. I didn't want to try and fail, so in a few weeks I will have fresh and will be sure to come back here for your tips.
Thanks!
I love the pig cheese knife! Darling. Oh, I need goat's milk, I just don't have the goat! I envy all you cheese makers.
looks so good! Can I make it out of milk from the store.
oh wow, i've never even considered trying to make cheese, looks good! i love that little piggie spreader!
I'll have to try this when I start milking again. I struggle with consistent results of fromage.
Candy, I love that you make your own cheese. And that little knife is super cute, too! Cheers
I am so jealous! You make it look so easy!!! :)
Yum! Thank you so much for sharing this at what i am eating! I have been dabbling in cheese making, and this seems like something I could definitely do :-)
Candy, I'm making this today, and wondered how long it lasts in the freezer if I do start making more to freeze?
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