I, too, tried the microwave method and failed miserably. Although I saved it as a small pea sized soft spread. Then I succeeded (I thought) with the next batch in the microwave. It stretched and melted in a few seconds in the microwave afterward, looked like provolone, and tasted like plastic! I was very disappointed to say the least. (I still have it aging in the fridge hoping it will turn into something edible in the future, ha). Next, I tried the hot water method and it appeared to have worked but still not enough flavor for me.
I like the suggestion of adding whey to the hot water for flavor though. I did add lipase-mild to see if it would help, and of course, calcium chloride for good measure. I have these frozen 3 lbs of almost mozzarella for use in the future. I will pair it with good tasting tomatoes and stuff just in case it still tastes a little like plastic! But whatever else, I will keep trying to perfect it because I love the stuff!