Introduction
Making fresh cheese at home is a simple and rewarding process. With just three ingredients, you can create a delicious, homemade cheese that is perfect for various dishes. Follow these easy steps to make your own fresh cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts of raw or fresh unpasteurized milk
- 1 teaspoon cheese rennet
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the Milk
Pour the milk into a large saucepan. Heat the milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer until it reaches 70°C (the pasteurization temperature).
Step 2: Cool the Milk
Once the milk reaches 70°C, remove the pan from the heat. Place the pan in a container filled with cold water to cool the milk down to 40°C (the fermentation temperature). Stir occasionally to help the milk cool evenly.
Step 3: Add the Rennet
When the milk has cooled to 40°C, remove the saucepan from the cold water. Add the rennet to the milk, stirring gently to mix. To maintain the fermentation temperature, cover the pan and wrap it in several cloths to keep it warm. Let it sit undisturbed for 2 hours.
Step 4: Cut and Strain the Cheese
After 2 hours, the milk should have solidified into curds. Use a knife to cut the curds into cubes. Carefully pour the curds into a strainer lined with cheesecloth. Gently squeeze the cheesecloth to filter out as much whey as possible, helping the cheese start to hold together.
Step 5: Mold the Cheese
Prepare a large plate with a rack and place your 2 faisselle molds on the rack. Divide the curds evenly between the two molds, pressing down firmly. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of coarse salt over each cheese. Place a heavy object on top of each mold to press the cheese, allowing the whey to drain completely and the cheese to become more compact. Let the cheese sit like this for 12 hours (overnight).
Step 6: Enjoy Your Fresh Cheese
After 12 hours, remove the cheese from the molds. Your fresh cheese is now ready to enjoy! Serve it as is, or use it in your favorite recipes.
Nutritional Information
Homemade fresh cheese is a healthy and nutritious addition to your diet. Here is the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Sugars: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Calcium: 20% DV
Conclusion
Making fresh cheese at home is a simple process that yields delicious results. With just three ingredients, you can create a versatile and healthy cheese that can be used in various dishes. Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own cheese and the delicious taste it brings to your meals.
