Homemade Cheese

Description

Suitable for both holidays and everyday meals. This cheese can be used for appetizers, such as sandwiches, canapés, and tartlets. It can also be used to make casseroles and in any main or first courses. Store the finished cheese in the refrigerator, like store-bought cheese. It is delicate, with a pleasant taste and texture. The appetizer is ready. Serve immediately.

Instructions

1. 1

   Step 1

   Pour milk into an iron bowl or pot, place over heat, and immediately add the farmer's cheese.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Work the bowl contents with a whisk or spatula; heat over low heat until a sticky mass forms.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Fold cheesecloth into 2–3 layers and place it in a colander, then pour the curd-and-milk mixture into the colander lined with cheesecloth.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Set up a water bath. In a bowl over the water bath, place the butter, melt it, and add the curd mass from the colander.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Mix well and add salt, beat in the chicken egg, and mix thoroughly again.

6. 6

   Step 6

   When the mixture is very hot, add the baking soda. Immediately after that, the mixture becomes more homogeneous; stir it with a spoon — you get processed cheese.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Pour the prepared mixture into a bowl and leave it to set for a while, approximately 2–3 hours (check for doneness with a spoon or your finger).

8. 8

   Step 8

   Cover the chilled mass with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3–4 days. During this time, the cheese will turn yellow and hard.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Transfer the cheese to a bag or container, serve at the table, or use it to prepare other dishes.