Wow...that was fun! But, making a one gallon batch sucks! I can't wait for my new pot to get here! it already has a nice flavor and isn't very rubbery. Can't wait to see how it is in a few days! i used the fias co farms recipe. I really liked it. I think next time, I will try the one here, but still add the lipase. I am glad I got some DVI; I made some cottage cheese with buttermilk meso culture, and I don't think it cultured very well. i will have to work with that some more.
John, i used your CaCl recommendations, (1/2 tsp per gal) on 2% from my local dairy ( the milk is still so rich my whey is yellow like djdebi's) and I had such good set that there was a swirl in the center where it had flocculated! I wish I would have taken pictures, but i was so nervous I forgot!
I will have to post one of the finished product tonite....it is in it's final pressing right now. Thanks for all the great info, everyone...I used a lot of it today!
padams, good news!
FYI, swirl in middle is from movement of milk after coagulation has started, when you end storring in your rennet for 1 minute, use the stirrer to minimize the milk's movement.
Being successful with a batch of cheese is a great feeling, isn't it?
Hoo-rah!
Good job! Always a good feeling when a plan comes together.
One of the reasons I try to discourage buying tiny little molds and presses is the disappointment of working all night and getting 1 pound of cheese. It's a great feeling to succeed but then there's that tiny little wheel for your efforts. Some things 1 pound is fine for but to wait 6 months for a pound of cheddar is anticlimatic. It happens to all of us.
Go get em gal!
Thanks! i trimmed the edges last night before I set it to dry, and my kids loved it! I will hopefully get my large pot on monday, and then I plan on a 3 gal batch!
Whoo Hoo! and then a new fridge, a dutch press, some kadova moulds ... hehehe
Yep it's like a drug!
That's so funny, cause my DH asked me when i was going to make a cheddar, and I told him I would probably need a dutch press..which means somewhere to put it.....so he starts talking about building onto the shed for my workspace, and digging me a hole for a cheese cave.... ;D it IS addictive!
It is even more addictive with all these wonderful people here to share with and encourage you.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful cheese....which has been aging 4 days, and I think we will attack it tomorrow!
Lookin good P!