Lottsa Mozza!

Hey everyone, this post is by Ella of Make Cheese.  She is a vendor at the Millarville Farmers' market selling kits on how to make all kinds of cheese.   She taught a cheese making class during the market that was a great success.   

Teaching boards

Shawn and Colin are making cheese.

Ella imparts her cheesy wisdom.

Take it away Ella!

Homemade mozzarella

Fresh cheeses like mozzarella can be easy to make with simple ingredients created from fresh milk, acid, rennet, and salt. Best of all mozzarella can be produced easily at home. They'll likely be tastier than supermarket brands, probably less expensive, and certainly way more fun.

Today, Ella from www.makecheese.ca demonstrates an easy way for fresh, handcrafted and handstretched mozzarella cheese.

Mozzarella in 5 Steps: 

Stretching your own curd can be described as "ridiculously fun."

(FYI - this picture wasn't taken on a Saturday night. Why do you ask?)

Here's what you'll need: 

Ingredients: 

•    Rennet (1 tablet)

•    1 1/2 teaspoons of citric acid

•    milk (any kind except ultra pasteurized), 

•    salt (just a dash), 

•    1 cup of non-chlorinated water

Equipment: You will findeverything you need in your own kitchen however, you may need to get yourself a thermometer that reads from 60F to 200F.

Step 1 – Dilute 1 ½ tsp of citric acid into half a cup of water (non-chlorinated water).  Add solution to pot containing 1 gallon of milk. 

Step 2- Stir and heat milk solution to 90F.

 If the milk curdles a little don’t fret. It’s normal. 

Step 3 – Cut the cheese!;) With a long knife cut a checkerboard pattern into the curd mass. Cut all the way to the bottom of the pot. Slowly, heat the curd cubes to 105F. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Scoop your cubed curds out into a colander. Your curds won’t hold their shape entirely so don’t worry. Cut the curd mass into 3 sections.

Great work! You will now have curds (solid) and whey (yellow liquid).

Step 4 – Heat up the pot of whey to 175F. Dip 1 curd section into the hot whey for 1 minute using a slotted spoon.  You want to fully submerge the curd in the hot whey.

Your goal here is to heat the curd section so you can stretch it in step 5. 

Step 5 –Remove the curd section from the hot whey. Please remember to dip your hands into the cold water –The curd is hot! Now knead the curd section in your hand. This will release some whey from the curd and you will feel the curd start to stiffen up. It’s common to dip the curd into the whey a second or third time until you get a stiffer, shiny, stretchy curd. You’ll be able to feel it take shape in your hand. Braid it, roll it into any shape. Set your mozzarella aside and repeat step 10 with remaining curd sections.

 CONGRATULATIONS! YOU JUST MADE FRESH MOZZARELLA! 

If you need any of the ingredients, feel free to visit my website at: www.makecheese.ca

  

I have assembled all-in-one cheesemaking kits with all the supplies you'll need to make mozzarella.  

if you have any questions, email me at: ella@makecheese.ca

Happy Cheesemaking!