Homemade Soft Cheese

Homemade soft cheese is simple and delicious. It is not difficult to make.

Many people probably never heard of  lactic cheese, but it is worth getting to know.  The process to make this cheese is the same as for making chevre, or goat cheese.  The difference, of course, is that cow’s milk is used in the lactic cheese as opposed to goat milk.

The cheese is good refrigerated for about 2 weeks (if it lasts uneaten for that long). Mix it with herbs or spices, or in Smoked Salmon Cheese Dip.

1. 1. Heat the milk to 30°C (86°F) in a non-reactive pot.  Add mesophilic starter culture.  Stir well.

2. Add liquid rennet to 120 ml cool water.  Mix well.  Add 10-15 ml (2-3 teaspoons) of the rennet mixture to the milk. Stir well.

3. Allow to stand for 8-12 hours.  Milk will look like yogurt with clear whey.

4. Sterilize a ladle, a colander and a piece of cheese cloth with boiling water. Line the colander with the cheese cloth.  Ladle the curds into the colander.  Fold the corners of the cloth up and tie.  Hang this “bag” over a large pot for 8-12 hours until the cheese reaches your desired consistency.

5. Place cheese in airtight container and refrigerate. This cheese is good for about 2 weeks.