Ingredients:
– 1 gallon of fresh milk (cow’s or goat’s milk)
– 1 tablespoon of cheese culture
– 1/4 teaspoon of calcium chloride
– 1/4 teaspoon of rennet
– 1/4 cup of cool water
– 1 tablespoon of salt
Equipment:
– Large pot
– Thermometer
– Cheesecloth
– Cheese mold
– Cheese press
Steps:
1. Warm the milk: Pour the milk into a large pot and slowly warm it over low heat until the temperature reaches around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to check the temperature and stir the milk occasionally to prevent scorching.
2. Add the culture: Once the milk has reached the desired temperature, add the cheese culture to it and stir well. Be sure to evenly distribute the culture throughout the milk.
3. Add calcium chloride: Next, add the calcium chloride to the milk and stir well. This helps to improve the texture and set of the cheese.
4. Add rennet: Add the rennet to the cool water and stir well until dissolved. Then, pour the mixture into the milk and stir for a few seconds.
5. Let the milk rest: Cover the pot and let the milk sit undisturbed for about an hour until the curd has formed. Check the curd by gently inserting a knife into it. Once the curd has formed, cut it into cubes.
6. Drain the whey: Using a cheesecloth, scoop the curd from the pot and transfer it to a cheese mold lined with cheesecloth. Press down on the curd to release any remaining whey.
7. Press the cheese: Use a cheese press to press the cheese for about 6 hours. Turn the cheese in the mold regularly to ensure that it is evenly pressed.
8. Salt the cheese: Once the cheese is fully pressed, remove it from the mold and sprinkle it with salt. Ruch the salt all over the cheese and let it sit for another 24 hours.
9. Store the cheese: Once the cheese has rested with salt for a day, wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, making feta cheese at home is not as difficult as it may seem. With the right ingredients and equipment, you can easily prepare your own delicious feta cheese. Just follow the step-by-step instructions provided in this article and you’ll be on your way to enjoying your own homemade feta cheese. Not only is it a fun and rewarding process, but you’ll be able to enjoy the pure, rich taste of handmade cheese.