Just starting out and kind of a newb.I have been buying pasteurized whole milk at about 3 bucks a gallon for cheese making. I recently saw large 1 gallon containers of cottage cheese at a local grocery store for less than 5 bucks. What (if any) kinds of cheeses could I make using cottage cheese instead of standard milk? Can starters be re added to them to effect the taste and consistency?
Cottage cheese is already cheese...you can't use it to make other cheese.
I have put it in the blender to make dips, etc., but that's not the same thing.
Cheesemaking at home isn't something that we do to save money. The big manufacturers are able to do it for less - it's called "economy of scale"
I actualy fid that I am near to breaking even in cost. I Buy a gallon of regular 2% pasturized milk take 2cups out and add 2 cups whipping cream, at a cost of about 8$ and my yeild is a little better then an 8$ block at the store. So other then my time I am not out anything and thats the point of a hobby... use up my time on something productive lol.
I mean on purchased milk I am not getting ahead financialy, but in the end I wont be taking my money with me so gotta enjoy something with it now LOL.
You forgot electricity.
A good hobby is really priceless IMO and the thrill you get from eating your own stuff out is worth much more then the price of milk.