This morning I opened the giant pot that the milk had been sitting in so that I could figure out what the heck to do with it...and it had finally separated! It smelled like the yogurt I inoculated it with and it had stopped forming bubbles. I guess I just needed to give up all hope before it would cooperate. Maybe it was trying to humble me. Whatever the reason, I pulled my recipe up on the computer and got to work. I cut the curd, brought the temp back up and cooked the curd to help expel more whey. Pouring it into the strainer was a bit tricky, it was seriously heavy, but I managed. I let it drain for a few minutes and then wrapped it up in cheesecloth and put it in my press. Since I haven't gotten any bricks to weigh it down with yet, I ended up using books. Luckily I have LOTS of heavy books.
This afternoon I pulled out the half-gallon of cream I had saved from the milk and the twins and I made butter. They thought it was great fun to use the mixer and loved getting to taste "their" butter. We got a chunk of butter about the size of a softball. My favorite part was washing the buttermilk out of the butter. I froze the buttermilk that I drained out and will be taking it to my grandpa at Christmas. He used to drink it all the time as a kid and he's excited to get some after all these years. I'm excited to be able to do something special for one of my favorite people in the world.
This morning I opened the giant pot that the milk had been sitting in so that I could figure out what the heck to do with it...and it had finally separated! It smelled like the yogurt I inoculated it with and it had stopped forming bubbles. I guess I just needed to give up all hope before it would cooperate. Maybe it was trying to humble me. Whatever the reason, I pulled my recipe up on the computer and got to work. I cut the curd, brought the temp back up and cooked the curd to help expel more whey. Pouring it into the strainer was a bit tricky, it was seriously heavy, but I managed. I let it drain for a few minutes and then wrapped it up in cheesecloth and put it in my press. Since I haven't gotten any bricks to weigh it down with yet, I ended up using books. Luckily I have LOTS of heavy books.
Looks like a VERY successful day! Kids enjoy doing anything as long as they are doing it with Mom. I used to do baking with kids all the time. They made a mess but no matter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special gift for Grandpa too...I'm sure it will be one of the most percious gifts that he receives this year. Taking him back to childhood is priceless.
LOVE the pictures and your blog! Keep us posted. Valentines Day is right around the corner.... =)
and all the people rejoiced! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! So excited your cheese worked out! That is just cheesetastic!!! You have to make another batch before I come and visit this summer :) great pics too! I LOVE that your book fetish came in handy :)
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