It's "Whey" Wednesday...err Friday here at McKinney Mommas!
Okay, so I'm a few days late with my "W" cheese post for our first Wednesday of "National Grilled Cheese Month" at McKinney Mommas, but that's okay because I actually didn't have any personal experience with Whey until today. I promise you, I'm NOT trying to rhyme here.So, this morning I set out to make my own homemade cheese for the first time EVER. With the help of an awesome Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese-making kit from The New England Cheese Making Company.
To be honest, I was slightly nervous about the whole process as I have a 14 month old hanging out with me in the kitchen that I have to "include" in the process. I wasn't sure if having to take a few breaks in the process (ie. diaper change, fill up the sippy cup, wipe the runny nose, wash my hands AFTER wiping the runny nose...you get the idea) would ruin the batch of cheese completely. Keep reading to find out..............
Now, I LOVE cheese, but never thought I'd have the skills to make my own. This 30-minute Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit has incredibly straight-forward directions and contains practically everything you need to make your own homemade CHEESE!
The kit includes:
- Dairy Thermometer
- Citric Acid
- Cheesecloth
- Rennet Tablets
- Cheese Salt
- and a lovely recipe booklet that has great suggestions on what ELSE you can make with your fancy homemade cheese (prosciutto & cheese calzones, easy lasagna, and more)
- (1) Gallon of Milk
- Chlorine-free water
- 1 gallon stainless steel pot (or any other non-cast iron or aluminum pot)
- Colander (strainer)
- Slotted spoon
- Long knife
- A deep desire for an exciting CHEESY adventure
..........ladies and gentlemen start your engines..........
Get the milk & citric acid up to temp, add rennet mixture - easy peazy |
If you're on the right path, this is what it looks like after sitting for 5 minutes and sliding a knife through. |
Back on the heat - oooh, it's starting to look like cottage cheese, I think we're doing okay! |
Removing the curds from the WHEY! Time for a hot water bath (not me...the cheese curds) |
Pulling it like taffy - "hey this is fun" |
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have CHEESE! Seriously, this worked the first time??!!!! |
...and a little string cheese for the kiddo! |
My chest is swelling just a tad with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I seriously made some delicious cheese on my first attempt - and with a little peanut in tow. The best part about this, is that none of this has to be over - this kit includes the ingredients for 29 more batches of cheese!!!
Just think, you can go buy one little log of mozzarella at the store for $6.00-7.00 bucks - or you can make 30 batches of your own for $24.95!
You can let your creativity take over, and shape the cheese into logs, a ball, braids, or even bocconcini (those little balls that you toss with fresh herbs and olive oil). I can see making some pretty fancy appetizer plates with your own HOMEMADE mozz cheese balls!
So, if it's a culinary challenge you're after (although I have to say, this was pretty easy to accomplish), or a fun activity to do with your kids, or even a way to get some bragging rights at your next mom's function, I'd seriously recommend heading over to The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and picking up a kit for yourself.
and...........while you're at it......
- "LIKE" New England Cheesemaking Supply Company on FACEBOOK
- Check out the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company BLOG
Wait......there's more..........ENTER TO WIN your very own Cheesemaking Kit BELOW
~ GIVEAWAY ~
(1) Ricki's Mozarella & Ricotta Kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company!
- Click READ MORE > > > to complete Rafflecopter Entry Form
- Giveaway open until 4/20/12 at 12:01 ET
*Disclosure: I was given a cheesemaking kit to facilitate this review. However, all opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way by the complimentary product.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
awww I dont see the entry form, or a clickable link.
ReplyDeleteHi lynaeve - thanks for your comment. Looks like the link was broken. All is fixed now. Good Luck!
DeleteI'm interested in the Deluxe Goat Cheese Set (K6, B11)
ReplyDeleteItem #: G7
klconn7 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would choose the
ReplyDeleteRicki's Basic Cheese Making Kit
tannawings at gmail dot com
I'm interested in the Deluxe Goat Cheese Set.
ReplyDeleteTHe fresh french goat cheese kit looks great too!
ReplyDeleteI would pick the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit. dwelchert@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletemozz and ricotta kit
ReplyDeletejessicawedwards@gmail.com
i would like to try the homemade dairy kit.
ReplyDeletegloria4869@yahoo.com
gloria4869
I think I'd like to try the Gourmet Home Dairy Kit because I love to eat all kinds of dairy products and it would be fun (and better for me) to make them myself! alicia.ebaugh at gmail dot com
ReplyDelete30 minute mozzarella and ricotta kit or the marscapone kit
ReplyDeleteStarter Special with Dvd, book, and Mozzarella kit
ReplyDeleteI'd like the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com
I would like the deluxe basic cheese making set.
ReplyDeleteWould love to try the Mascarpone Kit!! grammypenny@frontier.com
ReplyDeleteI think I'd love to try the one you did - you make it look so easy! Otherwise probably the basic cheese making kit. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the mozzarella and ricotta kit.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
Id love the Mascarpone kit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I would like to try the mozzarella and ricotta kit.
ReplyDeleteI would like to win the Cheese Making Necessities
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit!
ReplyDeleteBrandy Nelson
girlforgotten81 at aol dot com
The Gourmet Home Dairy Kit looks fun, too!
ReplyDeleteI really want the mozzarella and ricotta kit, but if I were to pick another, it would be the Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Kit
ReplyDeleteDanielle S
royalegacy at gmail
The mascarpone kit - so I can make desserts just like Giada DeLaurentis.....
ReplyDeletetmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com
I would LOVE to try the
ReplyDeleteComplete Home Cheese Making Set (jamiecasolariatyahoodotcom)
Mozzarella Kits by the Dozen
ReplyDeletemarci-lyn@hotmail.com
I'd love the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit - EIGHT different kinds of cheese! Yum!
ReplyDeletesksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
I would go with the basic cheese making kit. I am an extreme novice in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI would get the Delux Basic Cheese Making Kit
ReplyDeleteI want Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Set (K1, RW1 & BR12). I like to go whole hog when I start something
ReplyDeleteP.s. I love the no-comment-verification thing :)
ReplyDeleteEdward P.
ReplyDeleteThe 30 Minute Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit looks good.
MMM!!! cheesey goodness!! I love that mascarpone kit, as well as all of the mozzarella and ricotta kits! How can anyone choose just one, cheese is the best ever! thanks for this great giveaway!
ReplyDelete-Cassie
butterykittens@yahoo.com
http://www.dailydirtydiaper.blogspot.com
I want to try the Basic Cheese Making kit.
ReplyDeletebebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit.
ReplyDeleteI would love the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit!
ReplyDeleteI'd like that deluxe cheese making kit, though i'd probably be a mess in the kitchen with it..it would be fun trying!
ReplyDeleteI would like the Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Set (K1, RW1 & BR12.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the complete home cheese making kit. I've always wanted to make cheese, I hear it's easy!
ReplyDeletei like the yummy one... Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit
ReplyDeleteMozzarella and Ricotta Deluxe Set (K2, L3 & E15)
ReplyDeleteThe Ricki's Cheese Making Duo sounds intriguing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteangiedkelly@gmail.com
Oh, my! It would be hard to choose between the Ricotta/Mozzarella Kit or the Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Kit; probably the mozz, because I could make mozz sticks for the kids to snack on :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com
This looks like a lot of fun. I think I could tackle a kit like this and involve my 3 and 5-year-old for part of it. :)
ReplyDeletemoz. and ricotta kit.
DeleteI'd like the Complete Home Cheese Making Set
ReplyDeleteI would like to win the basic cheesmaking kit. Good for a beginner!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the Mascarpone Kit.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Rote
wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com
I would pick the goat cheese kit.
ReplyDeleteYUM! Mozzarella and ricotta making kit!
ReplyDeletei'd choose the Complete Home Cheese Making Set (B1, K1 & K2)
ReplyDeleteI would get the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure the complete home cheesemaking looks great though.
ReplyDeleteI want to try the
ReplyDeleteRicki's Basic Cheese Making Kit
cbstrat (at) gmail (dot) com
I would like the Complete Home Cheese Making Set. My husband makes his own ricotta at home sometimes (it is divine in homemade cannolis) but he hasn't tried making any other cheeses yet.
ReplyDeletethe imagine tree at aol dot com
I want the mozzarella kit
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Basic Cheese Making Kit
ReplyDeletevmkids3 at msn dot com
I would like the deluxe basic set.
ReplyDeleteshawnac68@hotmail.com
I would choose the Deluxe Goat Cheese kit.
ReplyDeletewant to try the
ReplyDeleteRicki's Basic Cheese Making Kit