Homemade Cheese

Making homemade cheese with vinegar is quite simple! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out:

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon of milk (whole milk works best)
• 1/4 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of salt (optional, for flavor)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Milk: Pour the milk into a large pot and slowly heat it over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Heat until it reaches about 190°F (88°C), just below boiling.
2. Add the Vinegar: Once the milk is heated, remove it from the heat. Slowly add the vinegar while gently stirring. You should see the milk curdle as the curds separate from the whey. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
3. Strain the Curds: Line a colander with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Carefully pour the curds and whey into the colander to strain out the whey. Let it drain for about 5-10 minutes, depending on how wet you want your cheese.
4. Rinse and Season: Rinse the curds under cold water to remove any remaining vinegar taste. If desired, mix in salt for flavor.
5. Shape and Store: Gather the cheesecloth and squeeze out any excess moisture. You can shape the cheese into a ball or press it into a container. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

You can definitely add herbs to the cheese! Adding herbs is a great way to enhance the flavor. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Choose Your Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, chives, dill, or parsley work well. You can also use dried herbs, but fresh ones will give you a better flavor.
2. Add After Straining: Once you’ve strained the curds and rinsed them, you can mix in the chopped herbs. Start with about 1-2 tablespoons of fresh herbs or 1 teaspoon of dried herbs, and adjust to your taste.
3. Mix Well: Gently fold the herbs into the curds until they are evenly distributed.
4. Shape and Store: After mixing in the herbs, shape the cheese as desired and store it in the refrigerator.

And there you have it! Fresh homemade cheese using vinegar. You can enjoy it on its own, in salads, or as a topping for your favorite dishes. Enjoy your cheese-making adventure!