Description
Crafting homemade mozzarella cheese brings Italian culinary magic right into kitchen workshops. Stretchy, fresh cheese emerges from simple ingredients, promising delicious satisfaction for cheese enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors and handmade delights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 cups (1.89 liters) whole milk
- 7 tablespoons (105 milliliters) white vinegar
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) salt
Seasoning:
- To taste black pepper
- To taste dried herbs (optional)
Equipment Additives:
- 1 rennet tablet (optional)
- 1 citric acid powder (optional)
Instructions
- Select fresh, high-quality whole milk and gather all necessary equipment before initiating the cheese-making process.
- Transfer milk into a spacious cooking vessel and gradually elevate temperature to 190F (88C) over medium heat, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching and ensure uniform heating.
- Observe small bubbles forming around pot edges, indicating precise temperature without allowing milk to reach boiling point.
- Remove pot from heat source and introduce vinegar or lemon juice, gently stirring to trigger curdling reaction.
- Allow mixture to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling complete separation between solid curds and liquid whey.
- Position cheesecloth-lined colander and carefully transfer curds using slotted spoon, permitting excess liquid to drain completely.
- Sprinkle salt across drained curds and tenderly massage ingredients together, developing smooth, cohesive texture.
- Microwave curds in brief 20-30 second intervals, kneading thoroughly between heating cycles until cheese achieves glossy, elastic consistency.
- Craft mozzarella into elegant spherical or elongated shape, optionally immersing in ice water for enhanced tenderness.
- Preserve freshly crafted cheese in container filled with whey or lightly salted liquid to maintain optimal moisture and texture.
- Savor homemade mozzarella across diverse culinary applications like pizzas, salads, sandwiches, or enjoy independently as delectable standalone treat.
Notes
- Use whole milk with higher fat content for a richer, creamier mozzarella texture that melts perfectly.
- Work quickly when kneading curds to prevent them from cooling and becoming tough, maintaining a smooth elastic consistency.
- Test cheese doneness by stretching it – if it pulls like taffy without breaking, you’ve achieved the perfect mozzarella technique.
- Experiment with herb infusions like basil or garlic during kneading to create flavored homemade mozzarella variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Heating
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 488 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg