Easy Cottage Cheese

This is a FABULOUS book!! Lots of fun games, crafts and projects that are easy to do.... And a story to read along, as well as lots of "Daily Life" info about the Pioneer Era.http://www.thereadingnook.com/colonial/

Here are my recipes for Goat Milk Cottage Cheese and Yogurt Cheese, fun projects to do with your kiddos!

Easy Goat Milk Cottage Cheese 

1 Gallon Fresh Goat Milk (or Whole Cows Milk)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or regular vinegar or lemon juice)
Sea Salt and seasonings to taste

1. Heat milk on Medium heat to 180 degrees F. Stirring constantly.

2. Remove from heat and stir in Vinegar. Stir until curds form (1-2 minutes)

3. Strain through 4 or so layers of cheese cloth in a colander that is placed in a bowl. Whey will pass through and curds will remain in the cheese cloth. Sprinkle with Salt. I put probably about 1/2 tsp. sprinkled over the top of the cheese.

4. Roll ball of cheese around in cheese cloth to remove excess whey. If you want a juicier cottage cheese, don't remove all the whey, or you can even stir some back in. For firmer curds hang up cheese curds in cloth for up to an hour over a bowl. Then refridgerate. Or eat at room temp.

5.  Add your own seasonings ie: minced garlic, parsley, olive oil, basil, chives....

6. Or..... keep your cheese wrapped in the cloth and tie off with string. Place in a container not too much larger than your ball, and add honey or maple syrup and let marinate over night for a yummy breakfast treat.

Makes appx. 1 Pint of cheese, depending on how much whey you allow to drip off.... harder cheese means less mass. Can be adapted to use Cow's milk, use whole milk.

Yogurt Cheese 

(From "The Pioneer Sampler" By Barbara Greenwood

1 Quart Whole Milk Yogurt
Cheese Cloth

1. lay several layers of cheese cloth in a bowl, dump yogurt into cloth.

2. Bring up 4 corners and tie securly

3. Hang cheese cloth from cabinet in kitchen over a counter top. Place bowl beneath dripping cheese. Let hang for 12-24 hours (no it won't spoil)

4. Remove ball of cheese from cloth and put in fresh bowl. Season with desired seasonings, see above recipe.... Put into refrigerator to "mingle" for at least a few hours.

Make as a sweet cheese and have on toast with jam too :P