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Friday, April 6, 2012

New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. Review & GIVEAWAY - ends 4/20

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)
What YOU need to have on hand:
  • (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.

Click here to SHOP

and...........while you're at it......

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
at

60 comments:

  1. Lynn MApril 6, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    awww I dont see the entry form, or a clickable link.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. McKinney MommasApril 6, 2012 at 9:56 PM

      Hi lynaeve - thanks for your comment. Looks like the link was broken. All is fixed now. Good Luck!

      Delete
  2. Kathleen ConnerApril 7, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    I'm interested in the Deluxe Goat Cheese Set (K6, B11)
    Item #: G7
    klconn7 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  3. tannawingsApril 7, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    I would choose the
    Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit

    tannawings at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. eclairreApril 8, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    I'm interested in the Deluxe Goat Cheese Set.

    ReplyDelete
  5. GoodnessGracesApril 8, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    THe fresh french goat cheese kit looks great too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. freddieApril 9, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    I would pick the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit. dwelchert@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. jcwega27April 9, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    mozz and ricotta kit
    jessicawedwards@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. gloria4869April 9, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    i would like to try the homemade dairy kit.
    gloria4869@yahoo.com
    gloria4869

    ReplyDelete
  9. AliciaApril 9, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  10. mom21April 9, 2012 at 11:06 PM

    30 minute mozzarella and ricotta kit or the marscapone kit

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mps5732April 10, 2012 at 12:17 AM

    Starter Special with Dvd, book, and Mozzarella kit

    ReplyDelete
  12. SelindaApril 10, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    I'd like the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit!

    Thanks,
    selinda_mccumbers at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. debbieApril 11, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    I would like the deluxe basic cheese making set.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    Would love to try the Mascarpone Kit!! grammypenny@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kristy ThielApril 11, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    I would choose the mozzarella and ricotta kit.

    rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. mogrillApril 11, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    Id love the Mascarpone kit.
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Francesca MApril 12, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    I would like to try the mozzarella and ricotta kit.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anna FApril 13, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    I would like to win the Cheese Making Necessities

    ReplyDelete
  20. NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3April 13, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Definitely the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit!

    Brandy Nelson

    girlforgotten81 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. virgomomwriterApril 13, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    The Gourmet Home Dairy Kit looks fun, too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Danielle SApril 13, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    I really want the mozzarella and ricotta kit, but if I were to pick another, it would be the Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Kit
    Danielle S
    royalegacy at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  23. Teresa YoungApril 13, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    The mascarpone kit - so I can make desserts just like Giada DeLaurentis.....
    tmyoung at rochester dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousApril 14, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    I would LOVE to try the
    Complete Home Cheese Making Set (jamiecasolariatyahoodotcom)

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 14, 2012 at 9:58 AM

    Mozzarella Kits by the Dozen
    marci-lyn@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. sksweepsApril 14, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    I'd love the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit - EIGHT different kinds of cheese! Yum!

    sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  27. 1porkchopApril 14, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    I would go with the basic cheese making kit. I am an extreme novice in the kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
  28. 1froglegsApril 15, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    I would get the Delux Basic Cheese Making Kit

    ReplyDelete
  29. Donna GeorgeApril 15, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    I want Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Set (K1, RW1 & BR12). I like to go whole hog when I start something

    ReplyDelete
  30. Donna GeorgeApril 15, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    P.s. I love the no-comment-verification thing :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousApril 15, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    Edward P.

    The 30 Minute Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit looks good.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Mamma CassApril 15, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    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!
    -Cassie
    butterykittens@yahoo.com
    http://www.dailydirtydiaper.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. BebemiquiApril 16, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    I want to try the Basic Cheese Making kit.
    bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownApril 16, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    I would like the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit.

    ReplyDelete
  35. HyzennthlayApril 16, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    I would love the Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Julie4717April 16, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    I'd like that deluxe cheese making kit, though i'd probably be a mess in the kitchen with it..it would be fun trying!

    ReplyDelete
  37. bigbad1April 16, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    I would like the Deluxe Basic Cheese Making Set (K1, RW1 & BR12.

    ReplyDelete
  38. NoelleApril 16, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    I'd like to try the complete home cheese making kit. I've always wanted to make cheese, I hear it's easy!

    ReplyDelete
  39. himaniApril 17, 2012 at 3:10 AM

    i like the yummy one... Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit

    ReplyDelete
  40. LizApril 17, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    Mozzarella and Ricotta Deluxe Set (K2, L3 & E15)

    ReplyDelete
  41. AEKApril 17, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    The Ricki's Cheese Making Duo sounds intriguing. Thanks!

    angiedkelly@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Julie April 17, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    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 :)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. CentralMNMomApril 17, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    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. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. jwx4April 17, 2012 at 10:58 PM

    I'd like the Complete Home Cheese Making Set

    ReplyDelete
  45. Deb E.April 18, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    I would like to win the basic cheesmaking kit. Good for a beginner!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wild N Mild $$$April 18, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I'd like to try the Mascarpone Kit.
    Jennifer Rote
    wildnmild4u at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. LaurKnotterApril 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    I would pick the goat cheese kit.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    YUM! Mozzarella and ricotta making kit!

    ReplyDelete
  49. wiggetApril 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    i'd choose the Complete Home Cheese Making Set (B1, K1 & K2)

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    I would get the Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit

    ReplyDelete
  51. julescar74April 19, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    I'm not sure the complete home cheesemaking looks great though.

    ReplyDelete
  52. John BillirisApril 19, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    I want to try the
    Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit

    cbstrat (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  53. StacyApril 19, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    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.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. LenaApril 19, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    I want the mozzarella kit

    ReplyDelete
  55. Valerie Taylor MabreyApril 19, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    I would choose the Basic Cheese Making Kit

    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousApril 19, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    I would like the deluxe basic set.
    shawnac68@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. lauraslovesApril 19, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    I would choose the Deluxe Goat Cheese kit.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Retta69April 19, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    want to try the
    Ricki's Basic Cheese Making Kit

    ReplyDelete

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