This cheese is called day cheese because it is only good for about a day. Lemon juice tends to cause dairy products to continue to “turn”, and the cheese will become rubbery and unappealing after a day or so. Use as a substitute for ricotta.
- Mix:
- 2 c. water
- 1½ c. non-instant dry milk powder
- Place milk in a pan. Add 2 c. water.
- Heat slowly to approx. 165°F.
- Slowly drizzle 4-6 tbs. lemon juice into the milk. (Use less if fresh juice; use more if bottled juice. Vinegar may be used instead.)
- Let the milk sit for 15 min. Stir gently as curds form and separate from the greenish whey.
- Strain the curds through a mesh strainer or cloth set in a colander. Rinse with cool water. (For a drier curd, gather up the corners of the cloth, tie it with a string, and hang the curds to drain for an hour.)
- Add ¼ – ½ tsp. salt, if desired. (Add herbs, if desired. I like ¼ tsp. dill weed.)
Makes approx. ¾ to 1 c. cheese.