Cheesy Saturday Night

Yep, we're one hip happenin' couple.  We spend our Saturday nights doing exciting things like.... making cheese.

We started by boiling milk at a very low temperature for what felt like two hours.  I swear it's more boring than watching water boil.  And you have to stir it constantly so you are just standing there....forever!  It has to reach 175 degrees.

Halfway through boiling the milk I looked out the window and saw a family of deer moving through the property.  Oh, I had all the time in the world to look out the window since I wasn't the one stiring...

Once it's at 175 you add buttermilk and then lemon juice.

Within 30 seconds it will start to curdle. 

Remove from heat and let it set.

After 10 minutes pour it into the cheese cloth in a strainer to get all the whey out. (Yes, it's gross looking.  It's curdled milk you know!)

Once its all drained it's time to squeeze it...................

Then tie it up to hang........... (we had no twine so I found the prettiest little pink ribbon my husband could use :-)

Let it hang for 30 minutes than put into container and add in whatever spices or flavorings you like.

 For this first batch we decided on Black Truffle Salt.

Once you have your spices mix them in.

Stir them really well then press the curds together with a spatula and put in the fridge overnight...unless you like warm cheese curd.  (Ick!)

Sunday morning we went to Jackson for breakfast and the farmers market was in Mel's parking lot so stopped to get some yummy tomatoes, berries, jam, pickled onions and lemon curd.

We came home and did some housework then plopped down on the couch to watch a movie.  Halfway through we remembered the cheese and paused the movie to check on it...and taste it of course.

We ate the whole thing with our fresh tomatoes.