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CHEESE TYPE BOARDS (for Cheese Lovers and Cheese Makers) => RENNET COAGULATED - Soft => Topic started by: pliezar (Ian) on September 22, 2011, 12:40:18 AM

Title: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on September 22, 2011, 12:40:18 AM
I am not sure if this is the right place.

My Son loves to eat Mini Baby Bel's, but at about $8 for a bag of 6, it could be a bit costly to keep him in cheese.  So I figured I could try and make some my self, or something like them at least.  I tried a couple of weeks ago, using a mixture of 3.25% p/H milk and some goat milk.  Well they were round and puck like and he would not eat them.  On Sunday I decided to try again. 

Here is what I used

4 Litres of 3.25% p/h milk
1 tbsp of homemade cultured sour cream as the starter made the day before
1/4 tsp calcl2 in 1/4 cup water
1/8 tsp calf rennet in 1/4 cup water
1 tbsp of pickling salt.

I heated the milk on direct heat (med low) until it reached 34F, then I added the sour cream.  It took about 15 mins to get to temperature and it was a bit of work to get the sour cream incorporated.  I then let it sit with the lid on the pot for 30 min checking to make sure the temperature did not drop too much.  After that I added the CaCL2 and mixed, then the rennet.  I decided not to use the flock method on this time as I was not sure what to use.  after 45 mins I had a clean break, so I cut the curd into about 1/2 inch cubes and let them rest for about 10 mins.  I then turned up the heat a bit to bring the temp up to about 38 F, this took me about another 20 mins.  It only stirred a few times, as the last time I stirred too much, hence the pucks.  When It reached temperature, I let it rest for another 20 mins then I drained and salted the curd directly.

Off to the side I had 20 Dixie cups with holes puncture throughout the bottoms and the sides, using them as molds.  I tired to fill them evenly, I then placed them on a draining mat, and put empty Dixie cups on top of the molds.  I then placed a cutting board on top of the cups, and then placed a full tea kettle on top of the board.   After 20 mins I flipped the cheese in the molds, replaced the cups and the board, but then placed a Milk jug full of water on top and pressed for another 3 hours. (I am kicking my self for not taking pictures of the pressing) After pressing I threw away the cups and air dried the cheeses for 24 hours as they were very dry to the touch.  I have them in a container in my fridge, they still give off a little moisture, but they are quite good.  Next time I think they may go in the cave for week or two.  They are a bit crumbly on the outer edges, but soft yet have some chew to them too.  They are moist and they are developing a bit of a mild tang to them.

My son calls them "Dino Bites" and now takes them in his lunch.  I do too.

Here are some pictures of them.  I made 20, but as you can see in the pictures there are not 20 left ;D   

Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: JeffHamm on September 22, 2011, 03:07:33 AM
Very nice!  I was thinking a washed curd approach might be worth a try too.

- Jeff
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: MrsKK on September 22, 2011, 03:39:13 PM
Thanks for sharing your experience with this.  We really like the "Baby Bel" cheese, too, but with making cheese and having a cow that just keeps on giving milk every day...I sure hate to spend the money, too.

I'll put this on my "to do" list for later this fall when my cheesemaking classes are in hiatus.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Cloversmilker on September 23, 2011, 01:19:56 AM
Those look great for a fresh portable cheese!  The dixie cups are a great idea. 
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on September 23, 2011, 01:26:41 PM
So far they are a hit with the boy, and a few people at work. 

Very nice!  I was thinking a washed curd approach might be worth a try too.

- Jeff

I tired a washed curd with the first batch, that and soaking them in a brine too.  I might try it again, the last time they were rather tasteless, this time they seem to have some flavour.

Those look great for a fresh portable cheese!  The dixie cups are a great idea. 

The Dixie cups seem to work, but they tend to get really soggy and you basically have to rip them up to get things out.  They are cheap so that is a good thing.  I am thinking about getting some silicone mini muffin pans, putting some holes for drainage and try them.  I might be able to get a better press with them.


I'll put this on my "to do" list for later this fall when my cheesemaking classes are in hiatus.

I figured if I make 20 at a time, they could last about 2 weeks, then make some more.  I think it will be come part of the routine.  I guess I will get to make more sour cream too.

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Crystal on December 22, 2011, 08:32:18 PM
Love it! Got no idea what a Dixie Cup is though? And washing the curd, wanna post a how-to for what you tried?
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Cloversmilker on December 22, 2011, 10:05:00 PM
A washed curd cheese is one which has some whey removed and replaced by water during the make.  Many Dutch, Danish, and German cheeses are washed curd.  I find them easy to make because you can use the temp of the added water to help control the temp of the make. 

Read through some of the recipes here for a virtual taste.  http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/board,178.0.html (http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/board,178.0.html)
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: boothrf on December 22, 2011, 11:17:51 PM
Hey Crystal,

You are probabley not old enough to remember the little blue paper cups of Peters Ice Cream! That's a Dixie cup. Yum  :) I'm not sure if they still sell them. We used to get them as a treat when we went to the Easter Show in Sydney as kids.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: margaretsmall on December 22, 2011, 11:20:42 PM
I too wondered what a Dixie Cup is, so I googled, and found that first, they were an all girl pop group, famous, according to Wikipedia, for their enormous hit 'Chapel of Love', 1964 (I remember that!)  and second,  ' a cup made out of paper and often lined with plastic or wax to prevent liquid from leaking out or soaking through the paper.It may be made of recycled paper and is widely used around the world.' (also Wikipedia).
Margaret
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Crystal on December 23, 2011, 02:14:47 AM
Right, i think Blue Ribbon still do the little cups, but there like $3 each, for about one scoop of ice cream! So, im not buying 40 of them to make cheese! lol, ill just find something else!
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: margaretsmall on December 23, 2011, 06:56:15 AM
Not only are we deprived of Dixie Cups here down under  I don't think we have Baby Bels either - What are they like? I've put this in my 'to do' file as I like the idea of the quick results. How long can you keep them do you think (assuming they aren't gobbled up within a day or two)?
Margaret
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: ellenspn on December 23, 2011, 01:44:00 PM
Baby bels I consider portable but barely edible cheese  :P YMMV
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on December 23, 2011, 02:25:09 PM
I was able to keep the first batch for about 2 weeks, the second batch, I was able to keep for about 3 weeks.  They tasted much better as they aged.  They did not actually taste like a baby bel, but they were a nice fresh cheese.  Unfortunately I have been so busy since the second make, I have not been able to make some more. I am hoping to make more next week.  I think the key to the flavour on the second batch was the cultured sour cream.

I have priced out some silicone muffin pans to use as molds.  I hope it wont be so soggy.

Ian
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: JeffHamm on December 23, 2011, 05:50:56 PM
Hi Ian,

But won't the silicone muffin pans prohibit draining when you press?  I've been collecting single serve yogurt/pudding containers.  I figure I can pierce them and use them for small cheeses, like crotins, etc.  Since they are plastic, they would not go soggy like a dixie cup would.

- Jeff
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on December 23, 2011, 06:13:57 PM
Jeff,

I have thought of that, Ikea sells them for about $1.99 CAD a piece.  I think I can use a hot nail or drill and poke some holes in the bottom, at that price I can afford to destroy a few during testing.  I honestly never thought about the pudding containers, I will have to save some and do more "research"

Cheers,

Ian
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: JeffHamm on December 23, 2011, 08:19:09 PM
Perhaps try using a nail punch, or something, as I think you'll have to cut a hole in them rather than just poke one.  Otherwise, I suspect they won't really drain properly (the silicon will sort of close up).  I could be quite wrong on that though.  I have visions of them flattening under the pressing weights, but the weight shouldn't be on the molds themselves but on the followers.  Will be interesting to see how this works out.  If you get them to work, it opens up all sorts of interesting shapes that could be used.

- Jeff
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Cloversmilker on December 23, 2011, 09:10:07 PM
A leather hole punch might work with silicon. 
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: JeffHamm on December 23, 2011, 09:22:23 PM
Yes, a leather punch would be even better.

- Jeff
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Vina on January 16, 2012, 03:35:57 PM
Ian,
thanks for sharing this :)
Today I tried my version of BB. I did quite similar to yours. Only as moulds I used small plastic coffee cups and I covered each 'Bell' with cheesecloth and improvised lead cut from yogurt cups.
After 20 min I flipped each cheese, stacked cups by 2, replaced the board and jug. Now they are pressing.

p.s. can I attach a picture here? I only see 'quick reply'...
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on January 16, 2012, 06:03:59 PM
Vina,

No problem, I am glad to share.  I am still looking into finding better molds my self, I haven't had time to look to much lately.  I have not made any cheese since November.  sounds like you are on track.

You should be able to post a picture using the reply button on the bottom of this.  They you get "Attachemts and other options next to you + symbol.  You can add pictures there.  I hope this helps
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 16, 2012, 08:01:40 PM
I just ordered a bunch of these and will give them a try with mini cheeses when they're not hard at work making shaped eggses for my daughter...

(http://www.savingstace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/kotobuki-egg-molds1.jpg)

http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Egg-Mold-Heart-Star/dp/B002TZ04GO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326743718&sr=8-3 (http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Egg-Mold-Heart-Star/dp/B002TZ04GO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326743718&sr=8-3)
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: Vina on January 16, 2012, 09:23:46 PM
:) well ... I finally found that magic button 'REPLY' :)
at the moment I have problems with my camera, hope to solve this out tomorrow.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: MrsKK on January 17, 2012, 04:19:32 PM
We are able to buy 2 ounce plastic Solo cups here - we use them in the bathroom for mouthwash, etc.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on January 17, 2012, 05:35:25 PM
We are able to buy 2 ounce plastic Solo cups here - we use them in the bathroom for mouthwash, etc.

I have never thought of those, I am going to look this weekend for them( I am almost out of Dixie Cups.  I am itching to make something and I think I have time to make some minis.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 22, 2012, 03:57:02 PM
Though a bit more expensive than Solo cups, the egg molds seem to be sturdier and come in cute shapes.... (Bear and Bunny also available just in case I ever have TROUBLE getting my kid to eat cheese...) If I do this regularly, I think I'll drill more holes in the "bottom" side of the mold so that I get more whey drainage.

(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x214/Mighty-Jesse/IMG_20120122_085425.jpg)
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on January 23, 2012, 02:54:46 AM
Those look great, I still have not found time to look at other moulds for them.  I am liking the ideas I am getting here.  I made a batch yesterday, but I still used dixie cups.  I am hoping to get some pictures up soon.  Things are kind of hectic with a colicky six week old in the house. And a cheese for you.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 23, 2012, 02:41:48 PM
Made more mini cheeses (edam this time, instead of cheddar). Edam has so much shrinkage after the initial molding stage that it doesn't end up looking very good in these molds, based on the way (whey) I used them. I have a couple other variations in mind to try, but will have to get back to this later... I hear you on the time factor, though cheesing is getting easier now that my daughter is approaching 2... The only trouble being that now she wants to "halp." After last night's adventures in mold filling (she helped with the baby edams, which she described as, "Baby's Cheese!") we had to have another bath to get all the curds out of our hair... But she loves that the pressing weights for these are light enough that I will let her set them in place.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on January 23, 2012, 03:35:11 PM
I can relate, my son like to help, he is six.  He just wants to cut the curd, all the steps before and afterwards are "Dad's Job" as he told his mother the other day.  I used culture instead of home made sour cream this time.  I have put mine in my cave for a bit to see what happens.  I did add some habeneros to three of them as a test.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: MrsKK on January 23, 2012, 05:08:42 PM
Ah, so glad to not have children underfoot while I'm making cheese!

I love my children and my grandchildren, but am just as glad to not have any "halp"!  DH asks if I need anything now and again.  Not that he really wants to help anyway...
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 23, 2012, 05:39:03 PM
Indeed the "halp" takes longer, but I'll admit to being a little thrilled every time my 22 month old hears the microwave timer beep and yells, "CHEESE BOOP, MAMA!" with glee before running into the kitchen to see what the curds have got up to... Makes me feel like I'm teaching her wholesome "life skills" or something.  8)
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: dthelmers on January 23, 2012, 05:53:34 PM
Here's my grand daughter helping me make sausage. She finds this more fun than cheese, except stretching mozzarella.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 23, 2012, 06:01:15 PM
Ah, Dave (Master T.) what a cutie! I'm sure you remember my daughter from last summer (Pennsic.) I wish I had pictures of her in the kitchen with me, but I seldom have a hand dry enough to be handling a camera when my little girl is assisting. And I will now apologize for thread jacking and return this thread to it's originally intended subject matter!
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: MrsKK on January 24, 2012, 03:58:42 PM
Cute!

As a young parent with young children, I didn't have a lot of patience for having them underfoot.  My failing, entirely.  I do have much more patience now, but no grandchildren nearby - they are in Germany while I am in the US Midwest.  Oh, how I miss them.
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: pliezar (Ian) on January 29, 2012, 08:18:03 PM
Well I have finally found time to post some pictures of my 3rd make.  My son helped to cut the curd and the rest "was my job".  I during the first press, I used 1 4L Jug full of water and after the flip I used 2 x 4L jugs full of water.  The smaller batch in the metal bowl was the 3 that I put dried habeneros in.  I have aged them a week in the cave and they are soft and creamy and good to go.  I used Dixie cups again, I have not been able to get to IKEA for the silicone molds.  I did not get a picture of the "second" pressing. This time flipped every 15 mins but after 1 hour I increased the weight.

Ian
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: mightyjesse on January 30, 2012, 02:15:40 AM
Those look fantastic!
Title: Re: My version of a "Mini Baby Bel"
Post by: JeffHamm on January 30, 2012, 04:58:41 AM
Nicely done!  These really look like a great project to do together. 

- Jeff