Homemade Cheese!

Fun Summer Activity: Making your own cheese!

Materials:


¼ rennet tablet (available at select Kroger Stores or http://www.junketdesserts.com/rennettablets.aspx)

6 oz. Skim milk

12 oz. Styrofoam cup

¼ tsp. of salt

Paper towel

Microwave oven

Small strainer

Dishpan or container to catch drained whey from cup

Recipe:


The night before:

Crush ¼ rennet tablet and put into a 12 oz. Styrofoam cup

Add ¼ tsp. of salt per cup

Add 6 oz. skim milk heated to 95 degrees F and stir well. The milk will coagulate in the cup overnight

The Following Day:


Microwave the contents of the Styrofoam cup for one minute

Pour coagulated milk through strainer held over dish pan

Put coagulated milk back into cup and microwave for 10 more seconds (shrinking contents of cup)

Repeat microwaving and straining until cheese becomes soft mozzarella (usually only 2 additional times)

Use dish pans to collect the whey

“Dry” the cheese using a paper towel

Spread soft mozzarella on a cracker of your choice and enjoy!