For those newcomers to the forum, a while back I attempted to hack the recipe for Vacherin Mont D'Or. Not sure if I achieved what I set out to do but what I finished with was delicious. A couple of the cheese supply sites apparently picked up on it. If any of you would like to try it, here's the recipe. Enjoy!!
Vacherin Mont D'Or (according to Al Lewis) LOL
4 gal Whole Milk (raw is best)
½ tspn Mesophilic Culture (Flora Danica)
3/8 tspn of Penicillium Candidum
1/32 tspn of Geotrichum Candidum
¾ tspn Calcium Chloride (diluted in ¼ cup cool water)
¾ Vegetable Rennet Tablet (dissolved in ¼ cup cool water)
.44 lbs non-iodized salt mixed with 1 gal water for brine
Place milk in stainless steel pot and add the calcium chloride solution stirring in top to bottom for 1 minute. Sprinkle cultures on the top and stir in gently, using a top to bottom motion, for 1 minute. Heat the milk to 86° F. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Add in the rennet solution, agin stirring from top to bottom for 1 minute. Allow to sit, undisturbed, for 50 minutes while maintaining temperature.
Check for a clean break. If necessary let sit for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
Cut the curd into pea sized pieces and let stand for 10 minutes.
Slowly warm the curd over 35 minutes to 100°F while stirring slowly.
Let curds settle and rest for 10 minutes. Maintain temperature.
Pour contents of pot into a muslin lined colander and allow to drain for 10 minutes.
Divide the curd and place into prepared molds. Press at 20 pounds for 30 minutes. Flip and press at 20 pounds overnight.
Remove from molds wrap with spruce bark soaked in steeping hot water. Tie around bark with butcher's twine, using a butchers knot, and soak in brine for 12 hours.
Remove from brine and pat dry with paper towels and allow to sit on a mat at room temperature for 24 hours, flipping after 12 hours.
Place in cheese cave/container at 54°F, 85% RH for one week flipping, and drying, daily.
Once the PC has developed, wash the top side of the cheese with the brine and flip allowing the PC to grow on the other side. Repeat this process every two days for 5-6 weeks. Remove the string and box.
