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How to Make Cheese

MAIN INGREDIENTS OF CHEESE

The main ingredient used in the cheese making process is milk. Many types of cheese in North America are made from cow, sheep or goat milk. There are other varieties of milk used, however. The milk of a buffalo, for example, is used to produce Mozzarella cheese. Milk from deer, camel, horses, llamas, and yaks are all used to yield different varieties of cheese and cheese blends.

THE CURDLING PROCESS

Coagulating or curdling the milk until it turns into curds and whey is the first step taken when making cheese. Today, cheese is curdled with a bacteria culture and a coagulating enzyme, both of which help to speed the separation of liquids and solids. The curdling process begins by warming the milk until it reaches a bacteria-free temperature. During the warming period, a coloring dye is sometimes added to produce a particular color in the finished product. Once the milk has reached a consistent temperature, the starter culture is added and the milk begins to coagulate into one large curd.

REMOVING THE WHEY

As the milk forms into a huge curd, it is stirred and cut, allowing the whey to drain off. The milk is then reheated and pressed to remove as much whey as possible.

MOLDING AND SHAPING

when the whey removal process is finished, the warm curd is molded or shaped into a cheese. Many cheese today are shaped by using a cheese wheel or similar mold. The warm curd is poured and pressed into the molding.

SALTING PROCESS

High amounts of salt are added to cheese during or before the process of molding. Salt plays an important role in the formation of the cheeses rind or outer coating. Heavily salted cheeses will develop thick outer coatings, such as that found on swiss cheese.

RIPENING

Once the cheese has been molded and salted, it is allowed to ripen. Some cheeses take only two weeks to mature and others can take as long as 7-years. Temperatures remain exact during this time.

It is during this period when the rind of the cheese is formed. Some form naturally and others, artificially. Many cheese surfaces are treated with bacteria, alcohol, wax, oils, or water during the maturing phase to enhance flavor and coloring. Washed rind varieties, for example, are washed and brushed regularly to promote an even bacteria growth across the surface and prevent their insides from drying out. Cheddar cheeses are salted and then wrapped with cotton, after which time they are left untouched until they are mature.

CHANGES IN THE CHEESE MAKING PROCESS

Today, most types of cheeses are made in commercial factories, where state-of-the art equipment and technology prevent contamination and an overgrowth of bacteria. For food safety reasons, all cheeses are now made from pasteurized milk, instead of fresh milk.

CHEESE STORAGE TIPS

FOR OPTIMUM flavor, allow cold cheese to warm for 30-minutes before eating. Cheese can be placed on counter top during warming.

NEVER store cheese with heavy, strong smelling foods. Cheese will absorb the aroma of what is around it.

SOFT cheeses should be wrapped in wax paper and not plastic wrap.

Sheer Khurma: Milk Vermicelli

Sheer Khurma: Milk Vermicelli
East Indian Eid Dessert

Sheer Khurrma (Dates (dried) with Milk

Ingredients: 2 liter of milk 1 litre water 1 cup sugar 8 dried dates 6-8 whole cardamoms 1\4 cup ghee or butter 6-7 seeds of cardamom (crushed). 1 cup of vermicelli (sayaiyan) 1/4 cup chopped pistachios 1/2 cup dried coconut 1/2 cup chopped almond 1/4 cup raisins 1tsp kevera essence, diluted or 1\4 tsp., if concentrated

Method: Soak 3 dried dates and coconut in water for 2 hours, until soft. then thinly slice them. In a pot add milk, water, 5 dried dates and cardamoms and simmer on low heat for about 2 hours or until about 1 1\2 litre milk is left. Strain milk through a fine sieve. Discard the dates and cardamoms and reserve milk. Heat ghee or butter in a heavy based pan add crushed cardamom seeds, when they pop and splutter add vermicelli and fry for 3-4 minutes. Add pistachios, coconut, almond, raisins and dates and fry for 2 more minutes. Add warm milk to it, bring to boil and cook for 5-8 minutes, until cooked through. Add sugar and cook until sugar has completely dissolved. Just before removing from heat add kevera essence. Can be served hot or chilled.