Stirred-Curd Cheddar

Apr
15


My cheddar!

Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, with a long history going back to the Cheddar caves in England, where it was known as the cheese of kings. Cheddar can be made anywhere, though–it is a process, not a place, and the traditional process involves cheddaring, in which the drained curds are allowed to coagulate into one mass and are then cut into slices, stacked, turned several times, then broken up into smaller pieces (milled). This is a little extra effort, and many store-bought cheddars today aren’t made this way. They are made by a short-cut process often known as stirred-curd cheddar, which is also a perfect alternative for the new cheesemaker wanting to try their hand at cheddar with a little less fuss.

In stirred-curd cheddar, the curds are prevented from matting together by stirring and you skip all the slicing and stacking and milling. (Stirred-curd cheddar is a close relative to colby cheese, in which the curds are washed as part of the process.)

The natural color of cheddar cheese is a creamy off-white, but it is traditionally colored with annatto, a vegetable dye, which lends the rich orange we expect from certain cheeses. It has no effect on the taste of the cheese, so you can leave it out if you prefer, but it’s kind of fun to use, especially the first time you see your cheese suddenly look like cheese from the store. (Look, it’s orange!) Like you did a trick. And you did! You made cheese!

I made quite a bit of traditional cheddar last summer, with mixed results. Now that I’m tackling my cheese challenge for New England Cheesemaking one cheese at a time, I decided to re-tackle cheddar, starting with the easier version first. Why didn’t I think of that before? (I do do things the hard way!)

Milk, milk, milk. The best milk to use to make cheese is farm-fresh! But you don’t have to have a cow to make cheese.

If using store-bought pasteurized milk, for a two gallon recipe, you may want/need to add 1/4 teaspoon calcium chloride diluted in 1/4 cup cool water while heating the milk in Step 1. This will help the curds to set properly. See more about milk for cheesemaking here.

My cow, Beulah Petunia. She loves me. Sorta.

Glory Bee, my up-and-coming milker. I’ve been trying to get her to take a marshmallow from me for weeks.

I think she thinks I’m trying to poison her. She’s very suspicious.

Clover: “I’ll work for marshmallows!”

You can use goat milk in the stirred-curd cheddar recipe in this post!

Donkey milk stirred-curd cheddar?

My beloved Poky.

She’ll take a marshmallow any time.

Did you know that donkey milk is good for you? People with allergies to cow milk can drink donkey milk, and it’s growing in popularity in some European countries.

Poky might be pregnant! She’ll be in milk!

But–

I don’t think so on the donkey milk. I don’t have any cow milk allergies anyway. Whew. Would you drink donkey milk? I have to know.

The following recipe is from Ricki Carroll’s Home Cheese Making. You can use the same directions for either cow or goat milk. (I don’t know about the donkey milk.)

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How to make Stirred-Curd Cheddar:

2 gallons whole milk (cow or goat milk)
1 packet direct-set mesophilic starter
2 drops cheese coloring per gallon, diluted in 1/4 cup water (optional)
1/2 teaspoon liquid rennet (or 1/2 rennet tablet) diluted in 1/4 cup cool, unchlorinated water
2 tablespoons cheese salt

Step 1. Heat the milk to 90-F. Add the starter and stir well. Cover and allow the milk to ripen for 45 minutes.

Step 2. For cheese coloring, use 2 drops per gallon of milk–4 drops total–diluted in 1/4 cup of cool water.

Add the coloring to the milk and stir well to distribute evenly.

Cheese coloring must be added before the rennet, and stirred in well as it can destroy the coagulating ability of the rennet. If you find later that you forgot to add the coloring, forget it. You can’t add it later. Make white cheddar.

Also, be careful with how much coloring you add! Don’t get carried away. When you put the coloring in, it will look like it didn’t even make a difference. There’s still a lot of water in the milk. You’ll really only see the result of the coloring after the cheese is pressed. The color comes out more and deepens as the cheese air dries in the first few days following pressing. Follow recipe guidelines for adding cheese coloring. If you make cheese while you’re drinking and forget you put the coloring in then add more, you’ll end up with clown cheese! Don’t make cheese while you’re drinking!!

When diluting the rennet, don’t use the same container you used to dilute the coloring.

Step 3. Make sure the milk’s temperature is 90. Add the diluted rennet and stir gently with an up-and-down motion for 1 minute. If using farm-fresh milk, top-stir for several minutes longer. Cover and allow to set at 90 for 45 minutes, or until the curd is firm and gives a clean break.

Step 4. Cut the curd into 1/4-inch cubes. Allow the curds to set for 15 minutes.

Step 5. Heat the curds to 100 degrees, increasing the temperature no more than two degrees every 5 minutes. This should take about 30 minutes. Stir gently to keep the curds from matting.

Step 6. Once the curds reach 100, maintain the temperature and continue stirring for 30 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes.

Step 7. Drain off the whey. Pour the curds into a large colander and drain for several minutes. Do not drain too long, or the curds will mat. Pour the curds back into the pot and stir them briskly with your fingers, separating any curd particles that have matted.

Step 8. Add the salt and blend well. Do not squeeze the curds; simply mix the salt into them.

Step 9. Keep the curds at 100 for 1 hour, stirring every 5 minutes to avoid matting. The curds can be kept at 100 by resting the cheese pot in a sink or bowl full of 100-degree water.

Step 10. Line a 2-pound cheese mold with cheesecloth. Place the curds in the mold. Press the cheese at 15 pounds of pressure for 10 minutes.

I’ve taken to using disposable cheesecloth. It’s so much easier.

Step 11. Remove the cheese from the mold and gently peel away the cheesecloth. Turn over the cheese, re-dress it, and press at 30 pounds of pressure for 10 minutes.

Step 12. Repeat the process but press at 40 pounds of pressure for 2 hours.

Step 13. Repeat the process but press at 50 pounds of pressure for 24 hours.

Step 14. Remove the cheese from the mold and peel away the cheesecloth. Air-dry at room temperature for 2-5 days, or until the cheese is dry to the touch.

Step 15. Wax the cheese (if desired).

Sometimes I wax, sometimes I don’t.

In some ways, it’s easier to “wax it and forget it” but I do prefer the looks of the unwaxed cheeses. They take some extra tending, though.

Step 16. Age it at 45-55 degrees for 2-6 months.

Yield: 2 pounds.

My experience: Stirred-curd cheddar is much easier to make than traditional cheddar. It’s also a lot faster. It takes about five hours to get traditional cheddar ready to go into the press, but closer to three hours for stirred-curd cheddar. In the past couple of months, I’ve made several stirred-curd cheddars, and have even opened one! It does make a creamy cheddar-like cheese in a short amount of time. From the time/labor perspective, the stirred-curd wins hands-down, so I know I’ll keep making this one, though now that I have a little more experience under my belt, I want to try my hand at traditional cheddar again, too.

The cheeses I don’t wax develop a natural white bloom that brushes right off.

According to cheesemaking expert Jim Wallace of New England Cheesemaking, “The white mold is absolutely okay and can easily be wiped down with a dry brush or cloth or with a brine-soaked cloth. Cheddar is not normally made with a natural rind because of the dry curds at molding. It is usually waxed or cloth bandaged and the mold problem then disappears.”

Here’s a hunk cut off, going into my handy dandy food processor.

Shredded.

And melted on top of black bean burgers.

I did that! So can you!

See how to make a homemade cheese press here. The spring-loaded press I use now can be found here.

See how I made my cheese cave here.

See all my posts in Cheesemaking here.

I get my supplies here.

This is my cow.

To help you get started making cheese, New England Cheesemaking is providing a package including (value of each item in parentheses): a hard cheese mold ($15.95), mesophilic culture ($5.95), veal rennet ($6.50), red wax ($5.50), cheese brush ($7.95), cheesecloth ($5.95), cheese salt ($2.95), and calcium chloride ($4.95). The total value of the package is $55.70. Note: This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. (P.S. Or at least a U.S. shipping address. You can have a friend or relative send it on to you if they have a U.S. shipping address.)

For a chance to win: Leave a comment on this post and let me know you want it. ONE winner will be drawn by random comment number to receive the package. Eligible entry cut-off is midnight Eastern (U.S.) time tomorrow night (April 16). This post will be updated with the winner by 9 a.m. Eastern (U.S.) time on Sunday (April 17). Return to this post to claim your prize!

UPDATE 04/17/11: The winning comment number, drawn by random.org, is comment #253, Phillis McLaren. Email me at [email protected] with your address for shipping!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED TO ENTRY.





Comments

  1. Vicki says:

    I would love to try my hand at making cheese, even though I don’t have a cow.

  2. Sonia says:

    I want one! Put me in the drawing. :snuggle:

  3. Courtney says:

    Cheese cheese cheese, yummy cheese cheese!

  4. Nic, SD says:

    Totally interested in cheese making stuff! Count me in.
    Also:
    Would you drink donkey milk? I have to know.
    Umm… depends. IF I had milk allergies I’d probably give it a try. Or IF I’d heard many people extolling the virtues (with flavor among them). Or IF I wanted to embark in a cheese-making project and there was, say, a neighbor with a donkey in milk, but only access to store-bought cow’s milk… I might choose it as the fresh option. (Or choose to make one each with fresh donkey and pasteurized cow’s milk and compare and contrast.)

    Yup. That was longer than I thought it would be. Now you know better than to ask stuff like that :devil2:

  5. TotallyCooked says:

    I neeeeeed and want it very badly – just moved onto 22 hectares and my neighbour has many, many cows so milk is no problem – in fact if anyone needs me to collect flies for them that’s no problem either (free shipping)

  6. Cheryl LeMay says:

    I’d like one. And yes, I would drink donkey milk.Milk is milk just like eggs are eggs.Minor differences, right?

  7. lauren says:

    Enter me please 🙂

    donkey milk??? oh why not LOL

  8. Tracey In Paradise Pa. says:

    :sun: You are amazing. Do you have a twin? Sleep only 2 hrs a night? I love all the pictures of you and your furry kids! I love all you share and do.
    And yes I would drink donkey milk!
    Have a great weekend!
    Granny Trace
    http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

  9. Jeanne says:

    Please draw my number! I would love to win this prize!! : )

  10. Ruth in NH says:

    Thanks for the post, I haven’t tried cheddar yet, I admit to being a little intimidated by the extra steps but ou made it look manageable. Maybe I will give it a try this summer.

    I’d love a chance at the equipment give-away, thanks.

    on the Donkey milk, sure, I would give it a try if it was offered to me but I have no trouble with milk so will probably stick to cow and goat milk.

    Thanks for your website, I look forward to reading it every day,

  11. Sandra in SC says:

    Oh, please put me in the drawing ….. I really want to learn to make cheese!!! Thanks!!!!!

  12. Kris Deveau says:

    I am a beginner at making cheese. Can turn out a pretty good mozzerella, but still feel ‘not quite ready’ to try the hard cheeses. But your approach to Cheddar looks so friendly, I think I could do this!
    Please enter me in the drawing for the Kit.

  13. CasieD says:

    I want it!!! I live in the middle of the cheese head state and think it would be natural to learn how to make cheese myself!!

  14. Cindy Michniewicz says:

    Just hung my first batch of goat cheese to drain. I am real happy to find your blog! :snoopy:

  15. proudmary says:

    I want to make cheese. Include me, please. Thank you

  16. debi says:

    I’d love to win! :woof:
    As far as donkey milk? I suppose I’d be willing to at least give it a try…..maybe.

  17. matt says:

    Your cheese looks great! Add me to the drawing please!

  18. Kelly Jo Kirby says:

    I want to win! I want to learn how to make cheese! Please pick me!

  19. Kim says:

    I want one! I want to win it for my hubby!

  20. BethieofVA says:

    I would love it! I have to tell you, donkey milk just do not do anything for me. :no:

  21. Laura Pintor says:

    Please put my name in the hat for a chance to win the cheesemaking kit. Thanks, and have a great day!

  22. kjl says:

    :woof: ….zumba.. Going to get a milk producer soon. Probably not a donkey…
    Please enter me for the cheesemaking giveaway! Thanks!
    White chedder….Queso fresco and a little salsa with some corn chips??? mmmmm
    Thanks!

  23. Rick Gifford says:

    This looks like a great and easy (relatively) recipe! I would love to get started in cheesemaking with the free starter kit! Then I could make yummy cheese at home too! I read this post to my boys, ages 8 and 5, and they think it’s really cool that you can make your own cheese, so they want to try it too!

    So, please pick us! More kids need to learn where real food comes from!
    Thanks!

    Rick Gifford

  24. ReNae says:

    :cowsleep: “This is my cow”. Hilarious! I’d love one. Cheeze a beauty. Hehee :cowsleep:

  25. Renee says:

    Please pick me for the kit!!! I want to learn how to make cheese. Please pick me!!! I want it!!! :moo:

  26. Hugh says:

    Oh, I want this bad. Please – me! Great post.

  27. louise caron says:

    :snoopy: :snoopy: PICK ME! I am milking goats and need to store some.. you make this look so easy! Pick me for the Kit :snoopy: :snoopy:

  28. Pete says:

    Maybe if I won this kit I’d quit putting off the cheese making adventure?

  29. Roz says:

    Please enter me in the cheese supplies drawing! I would like to try to make cheddar of any kind!

  30. Laurie Hamar says:

    I would love that kit, been experimenting with soft cheese and I’m ready to move on! Thanks for the opportunity.

  31. lilac wolf says:

    Well I do drink cow milk, and I eat cheese made from got milk…so I guess I’d try donkey milk once.

  32. Nancy Chase says:

    I’m getting a cow soon, so it’s perfect timing for me to win a cheese making kit! 🙂

  33. Sarah says:

    I am beginning to realize that donkeys are the sweetest creatures on Earth! I love mine too! I can see how you look at yours and I know that feeling of donkey love. As a novice cheesemaker, count me in!

  34. heather says:

    I wanna make cheese! Sign me up!

  35. Auntie Linda says:

    As a card-carrying member of Clover’s Fan Club, I want to thank you for all the wonderful posts!

    I’d love the opportunity to win this. I’ll need to practice on store-bought cow’s milk until I get my own goats next year (gotta build the barn first). As far as donkey’s milk goes, I doubt I’d drink it, as I really don’t like any milk. But I love cheese, so I’d consider it for that.

  36. Melody says:

    That cheddar looks AMAZING – and I’d love to be included in the drawing!

  37. Brent says:

    Great looking cheese! Just starting out, myself, and so I would love to be entered into the drawing! I think I will give the stirred-curd a shot before the traditional cheddar. Thanks for the details!

  38. Savas says:

    I would love to win the cheesemaking kit. Can you post your black bean burger recipe as well. They look yummy!

  39. Denise says:

    I want to learn how to make cheese too! Please enter me in the drawing :wave:

  40. Karen says:

    Please enter me in the drawing! :sun: I LOVE your site, btw!! :sun:

  41. Anke says:

    Please enter my name into the drawing.

  42. windspiritwhimsies says:

    Would love to give cheese-making a go, please enter me
    -thanks! :eating:

  43. Lisa C says:

    Please enter my name!

  44. Deb says:

    I would LOVE to win the cheese making kit! 🙂

  45. Chrissie says:

    1. yes, i would try it, probably, but I don’t think I’d be all about drinking donkey milk on a regular basis.
    2. please enter me!

    I have cheesemaking questions but I haven’t had time to go in and read all of your posts so I’ll wait to ask them until I’ve checked everywhere :).

  46. Deanna says:

    Yes, please!! I’d love to win the cheesemaking kit.

    Yes, I’d at least try donkey milk. Why not?

  47. Clairica A says:

    ooh that looks so yummy melted on those burgers!

  48. Patricialynn says:

    BBB me please!

    I love the idea of homemade cheeses – my mouth waters everytime you post a cheesemaking blog.

  49. Patricia says:

    I want a bag of cheese curds now! Have you ever eaten the curd?

    My first real job (40 years ago!) was working in the cheese department of a creamery. My dad drove a bulk truck to the farms to collect the milk and my mom and I worked in the cheese packaging section.

    We sold bags of curds, they were firm, but not as firm as pressed cheese, kinda rubbery, salty and oh so good. We made a smoked cheddar which was really popular. My favorite, though, was a sage cheese.

    Let me tell you, even the professionals could have a disaster or two along the way. I saw some really nasty results!

    I’d love the cheesemaking kit!

  50. Teri says:

    Would love to win this – going to start getting ready this summer to make my own cheese – that’s my next fall project!

  51. tsmith says:

    I would love to win this. Thanks!

  52. Luann says:

    I would love a chance to win, please pot me in….I have not tried cheese making yet and it is on my bucket list.

  53. ladychef68 says:

    Cheese Please!
    Imagine being able to say “This cheese? Why yes, as a matter of fact, I DID make it myself! Glad you’re enjoying it”. Too fun!

  54. Kathi N. says:

    Add me to the list — I want one!

  55. Laurie says:

    I just made mozzarella for dinner last night! So excited to try cheddar! Please enter me in a chance to win the cheese making supplies!! Thanks!

  56. Dawn says:

    I just recently bought two Nygerian Goats. I can’t wait to learn to make cheese. Thanks for all your tutorials and recipes! Love it!! 🙂

  57. Elizabeth says:

    Please signe me up! And…I don’t think so on the donkey milk 😕

  58. CS says:

    Please enter me for a chance to win for my wife! :woof:

  59. LisaAJB says:

    I would like a cheese kit, and I would drink donkey milk. Try anything once!

  60. Terry Y says:

    Throw my name into the hat, too, please! I’ve just started with cheese making because I have access to great milk (and I’m not too big on just drinking it!). So donkey milk – I might try making cheese with it, but I don’t think I could drink it….

  61. Sally says:

    Disposable cheese cloth…love that idea. Thanks for another wonderful tip.

    Does the natural rind cheddar result in a drier cheese? It would be interesting to see a comparison between natural & wax cheddar based on taste, aging & care, etc. Maybe a future article?

    Oh,please enter me in the give-away. But more than anything else…Thanks so much for more wonderful photos that show cheesemaking and help me take the step to get beyond the fear of each new cheese.

  62. Leah's Mom says:

    Looks great!

    So….have YOU ever tried donkey milk? Odd how psychologically it seems strange and hard to think of drinking it when we drink milk from cows and goats all the time… :moo:

    Oh – and you can sign me up for the drawing. I know a couple of people I’d like to share with if I win!

  63. heidiannie says:

    No cow, no goat, not even a donkey-(and no I wouldn’t drink donkey milk unless I was starving to death.) but I’d love the cheese starter kit.
    I want to make some cheese of my very own! 😀

  64. Heidi says:

    Come on lucky number 61!!!!!

    I’ve been dipping my toes into cheese making, but haven’t dived into the deep end yet. SINK ME!!

  65. kellyb says:

    When I grow up I want to make cheese. Please enter me in the give-away.

  66. Melissa (N4M) says:

    I would really love this!

  67. Dawn says:

    I would love to win and to try to make cheese. I would even see if I could get some milk from a farmer friend and try it with fresh milk.

  68. Bighorse says:

    I think I’d rather have the donkey (soooo cute!), but I’d settle for a cheese kit. How wonderful that you have an offer like this. Thank you.

  69. Sheepie-girl says:

    Please pick ME!!
    I would love to learn how to make cheese!!!

  70. Jules says:

    I would love to try cheesemaking! Except it would probably make me want to buy a cow. I don’t entirely see this as a problem. I like cows!

  71. Renee says:

    Please enter me in the drawing! I think I’ll stick w/ cow or goat milk & leave the donkey milk for the “maybe” baby.

  72. Karen Anne says:

    TotallyCooked,

    Maybe you need something that eats flies – frogs?

  73. lavenderblue says:

    Suzanne, you know you have thrown down the gauntlet to yourself and we WILL see a post of you sipping donkey milk. I’d at least try it and you are much braver than me.

    Would love the cheese making kit, I think I’d just use cow’s milk though.

  74. Kristen says:

    Please enter me? I’d love to make some cheese! Don’t know about the donkey milk, though. I think I’ll try goats’ milk first – take baby steps. 🙂

  75. DaAnn H. says:

    I would love to win this kit. Please put me in the drawing!

  76. holstein woman says:

    This is my next attempt to make. I would really enjoy a kit. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

    Suzanne the cheese cloth you use is not cotton, do you get it from New England Cheesemaking? Does it stick to the cheese like the cotton does to my mozzarella? Do you know if it does this because the cheese is too dried when I take it out of the cloth? Thank you for the answers to these many questions.

  77. isabel says:

    I’m dying to dry stirred curd cheddar! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thank you! 🙂

  78. mub says:

    I think I’d try donkey milk but maybe it should be one of those things that I try and the person tells me afterwards what it is. I don’t know why donkey milk sounds weird, it’s no weirder than cow milk!

    I didn’t even know disposable cheesecloth existed. I may need to keep my eye out for it for some other projects I’ve got going on!

    Thanks for the chance to win =)

  79. Bob Dye says:

    Hi – Pleaase includeme in the drawing!

  80. AndiK says:

    I’d love to learn how to make cheese! I’ve started making my own homemade ice cream (easy peasy), and I’d like a little more of a challenge. 🙂

  81. Em says:

    I would love to make some cheddar! Please enter me in the drawing, Thank you!!

  82. absinthe says:

    Please enter me! I’m very interested in learning this craft!

  83. Amy Nicewonger says:

    Please sign me up for the drawing.

    🙂 Amy N

  84. Vera McPike says:

    Oooh, I would so love to win the cheese-making package! It might be just the push I need to get beyond homemade ricotta!!

  85. Craig says:

    Wow, that looks tasty! Please enter me in the drawing.

  86. Tracy in SCL says:

    Please enter me for the drawing.

  87. Sarah K says:

    I would love to win it! I can’t wait to start making cheese.

  88. EightPondFarm says:

    Great post! Please sign me up for the drawing. I would love to upgrade! Thanks.

  89. Jani Jeane says:

    I brought home my first Jersey, Cocoa, 3 weeks ago. Pondering what cheese to make today! Please enter me for the drawing.

  90. Mountain Sunshine says:

    I made my 1st cheese…a vinegar using goat’s milk…last week and am looking forward to trying lots of others! This prize would sure help!

  91. Carmi says:

    I’d love to win this and start making cheese. Thank you for the opportunity.

  92. Sarah Joy says:

    I’d like to win!

  93. Jodie says:

    I’ve always wanted to try to make my own cheese but have been a bit scared. This looks like fun!

  94. ellie says:

    Wow! That looks great! Count me in for the drawing…cheese making looks like a ton of fun and I lurve cheddar. Let us know how they turn out in a few months!

  95. Betsy says:

    You betcha I want it! 🙂 Consider me entered!

  96. Marion Giroux says:

    I want a marshmallow!!!!, NO a Cow!!!…wait…no…a goat!!..umm..a donkey!!!…no! let’s be real.. I really want the cheese kit, so far I have made a slightly strange mozzerella and some righteous ricotta from the cheese queen’s kit and I am more than willing to make cheddar…what could be bedda? I want to make MORE cheese!!!….thanks for the sharing! and what lovely cheese you made!!! Marion

  97. Nannette Turner says:

    I want to enter! I want to do the cheese making thingy too! Milk bothers my tummy but cheese doesn’t. Weird huh? Yeah I’m a freak of nature.
    About milk. I do have problems with the drinking milk thing. MM… no I would not drink donkey milk but I have a scientific reason why…
    I can’t figure out why human’s are the only species that continues to drink milk once they are mature adults. All other mammals wean their offspring off milk.
    Another thing, cows have more than one stomach which makes it easier for them to digest their milk. I only have one tummy, thus my difficulty.
    How is that for scientific for you?

  98. Amy says:

    Wow, that cheese looks so good. I dream of the day when I’m brave enough (and have the supplies) to make my own. My husband thinks I’m a little crazy 🙂
    I’d love to be entered for winning the cheesemaking supplies!

  99. Matt says:

    Oh, and as to the Donkey question: I’ve had fermented Mare’s milk in Kyrgyzstan (it’s called Kumis and is the national drink of many of the ‘Stans under various names). It was sour, slightly alcoholic, and for me at least was best enjoyed in small quantities. I’ve also eaten Donkey Prosciutto in Italy. So Donkey milk doesnt sound so bad!

  100. Trudy says:

    Oh, I would LOVE to win this prize…cheesemaking is one aspect of farmlife I’ve never ventured into, as of yet, that is…if I win this prize I most certainly will try it!
    Donkey milk…ummmm, put in on ice, and I’d try it…without thinking about all the donkeys I’ve been around…just something about that and drinking their milk doesn’t seem too appealing…

  101. Cynthia Yardley says:

    I’m excited to give this cheddar a try. You give great encouragement to attempt it.

  102. Erin Ferre says:

    As the others have stated, I too, would love to win this package! I have done both a traditional cheddar and a stirred curd, and have found good flavor in both. I have not yet added any annatto for coloring, but I appreciate the step by step process you show so now I know the best way to introduce the coloring agent to my cheese!

  103. Cindy says:

    Thanks so much.

    Cheese looks wonderful!!

  104. Danielle says:

    I want it 😀

  105. Lindsay says:

    Oooo! Please enter me! :fairy:

  106. Sarah says:

    Let’s just say I’d drink donkey milk before I’d milk a donkey. 🙂 But I’d be thrilled to win the cheesemaking supplies!

  107. Mike M. says:

    I’d love a chance to win the prizes. I’m a real cheese lover, and the home made cheese looks like a blast to try.
    Thanks!

  108. Nadeanne says:

    I love cheese! Please pick me! 😀

  109. Stephanie S. says:

    Please enter me in your drawing. I have a cheesepress that I bought for when my jersey would be in milk, and well, it never happened, she had a mummy calf, and never rebred, and I am now buying my raw milk for muchos dineros and have never bought extra to make cheese. Reading this today, I had already decided to buy extra milk this week to make this recipe next week which is our spring break from school. I have always wanted to try a cheddar, and will make it whether I win or not, thanks for inspiring me with an easier cheddar recipe! About the donkey milk, I’m not sure if I would drink it, it would have to taste pretty good. I have daughters who want to have horses some day to milk–they saw it on a movie about Wild Horses of Mongolia with Julia Roberts.

  110. Ramona says:

    Great info as usual. Glad you completed another cheese challenge.

  111. Debbie R says:

    Cheese please!

  112. tami says:

    Please enter me for the cheese making kit. Donkey milk? I would try it. Will she let you milk her???

  113. janet mcmillan says:

    Would love it, have made the 30 min moz from Rickis store, Easy and delish.

  114. Patsy says:

    Looks delicious…would love to win the makings

  115. Amy Cook in WI says:

    Cheddar is my favorite…I assume the longer you cure the cheese, the “sharper” it is? I love SHARP cheddar…I would love to make it with the kit! Thanks for the instructions and chance to win!

  116. Joy (from Illinois) says:

    Please enter me in the drawing. I also have a question. When you are pressing the cheese, you mention “re-dressing” the cheese. (I pictured the cheese dressed up in costumes like the geese people put in front of their houses but figured that could be right.) So…you take the cheese out, unfold the cheesecloth, turn it over and wrap it back in the cheesecloth, then put it back in the press??? Could you clarify that for me?

  117. Cathy B says:

    I’ve made mozzarella and would love to try cheddar. Donkey milk? Would try it- but I’m skeptical

  118. paula t says:

    At last an EASY cheddar recipe!!!

    I have drunk donkey milk and it’s not bad at all (horse milk, too). I’d say go for it!

    Great cheese kit – I want it too!!!

  119. Andrew says:

    I want a kit! That looks like so much fun!

  120. Natalie says:

    Awesome! I’d love to win the cheesemaking kit! Thanks!

  121. Lynda says:

    I would love to win. I have never made this type of cheddar…interesting!

  122. Amber Barni says:

    OH OH OH! ME! Pick ME! 🙂

    And I don’t know if I’d drink donkey milk…but I’d certainly try cheese made from donkey milk. Not sure why the distinction but I’m going with my gut here.

  123. Sarah says:

    I am a beginner and have not yet tried a hard cheese. This would give me the courage, or at least get rid of my excuses LOL

  124. Valerie says:

    I really really want to win this. PLEASE!! I’m a very cheesy person.

  125. Gidget says:

    I would love this prize. I have made mozzarella before and it was fun and delicious! It would be fun to move on to bigger and better cheese making! Thank you for the chance to win this kit!

  126. Mandy says:

    Yes! I want to enter the drawing! :woof:

  127. Ashlee says:

    Ya, I don’t know about donkey milk…I think I’ll stick to cow’s milk! Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks 🙂

  128. Raeann says:

    Oh, I would love to win the cheese making kit! I have wanted to learn to make chees for ages! This would be grand!
    Sure, I’d give the donkey milk a try! Prbably wouldn’t drink it on a regular basis, but I would try it!

  129. Barbie says:

    I’m ready to try making cheese, we have plenty of raw milk. There is the remains of an old creamery on our farm, it’s time to make cheese here again! Please enter me in the contest to win the cheese making supplies. Thanks! :moo:

  130. Pattie says:

    I just found your blog and I love it!! I would love to try cheese making. You make it look so good. . .

  131. Barbie says:

    And I would probably at least try donkey’s milk–if it was very cold!!

  132. Tammy says:

    I don’t just want it, I NEED it!! And I will try any kind of milk at least once..

  133. Julie Whitcomb says:

    I have made this stirred curd cheddar from Ricki’s book but have not had a chance to eat it yet. Can’t Wait! Please enter me into the drawing as I need more supplies. I am making a cheese a week this year and so far am having a blast with it.

  134. Debbie says:

    Please enter me too!! Thanks

  135. tracie says:

    please let me win!!!!

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
    i wanna be a farm girl too!

  136. drucillajoy says:

    cheese making is fun…I would love to win this…please & thank you :yes:

  137. marymac says:

    I love cheese and want to win!!!!

  138. JerseyMom says:

    oh I do!! and can I have some of BP’s milk too….only store milk here! I soooooo want to try making cheese with something other than store milk…..

  139. Pam Walton says:

    We produce REAL milk for customers in Oregon and have been experimenting with cheese as an added way to introduce more people to this way of looking at food. To be honest, cheesemaking has been an intimidating and largely unsuccessful endeavor, so far, but I am actually looking forward to my next adventure using your/Ricki’s instructions, accompanied by your great pictures. Thank you for your article.

    Also, please count me in for the drawing to possibly win some terrific supplies. It would be fun to try them.

    Thank you, Pam

  140. Lana says:

    My old stove finally died, and I had to get a new one. What a perfect way to break it in – making cheddar cheese!! Please enter me.

  141. Mary says:

    You really make me want to run and make cheese right now! I love your directions, you make it seem so easy. I have been wanting to try my hand at some hard cheese and your recipe for the stirred cheddar has done it. I will be making some cheddar this weekend using your recipe. Thanks for sharing and please enter me in your contest!

  142. Regina C Faulkner says:

    I would love to win. i would share with the city folk I work with.
    They think i am odd because i have goats and chickens. One of my favorite memories was grossing my mother in law out by drink what she called real cow’s milk. She only will drink milk from the store.
    Where do they think milk comes from???
    i would try donkey milk not sure if i would like to milk one.

  143. Fran and Larry says:

    Just started a cheesemaking class. This prize package would get us off to a great start!

  144. Katherine Funk says:

    Please enter me into the contest. I have just found a source for milk and would love to try cheese making. Things are just getting too expensive!!!

  145. Jordan says:

    You have inspired me! I would love to win the cheese kit! I have a small farm but no milking cow yet — will need to make more Grandmother’s Bread for my husband!

  146. Lisa says:

    Hi Suzanne, So fun to read about your cheese making exploits. Hope I get picked for the cheese give away.
    Thanks!!

  147. Kristin Jarman says:

    I want to make this cheese! You make reading a recipe fun. I love the pictures and your sense of humor. Please register me for the cheese making supplies give away!

  148. Betty nieznay says:

    Please enter me in the giveaway drawing. I have made soft cheeses and would love the materials to make the cheddar

  149. Joan Galbi says:

    Let me win and I”ll order all the mud and rain to leave your area for a month!

    Thanks for all your sharing. I would love to see you make swiss cheese.

    You are inspiring.

    Joan Galbi

  150. jackie c says:

    Buffalo milk makes great cheese. Therefore, I think donkey milk would as well. Would I drink a straight up shot of donkey milk? Not. However, I hardly ever drink a shot of cow juice,either. But I love cheese and I’m hoping for the prize. Maybe we can play let’s make a deal for some Pokey milk. :happyfeet:

  151. Joseph says:

    I’m new to the world of artisanal home cheese-making. I have successfully made mozzarella and feta, and am ready to up the ante and try a hard cheese. I’m proud to be one of the few ‘menfolk’ exploring the ‘Manicraft’ movement of men in the d.i.y. larder. Would love the New England Cheesemaking package to jump-start my cheese-making attempt.

  152. Mike says:

    What a fabulous find. I have been making mozzarella for about a year now and have been reading more about cheddar. I think your recipe will make it very doable for a novice cheesemaker like myself. Please enter me into your drawing so I can start even sooner.

  153. Rosemeri says:

    I would love to have this kit. Please add me to the drawing. Thanks

  154. Perry Schwemmin says:

    Please enter me as well. Thank you.

    Perry

  155. Pam in Tampa says:

    I would love to be part of the drawing! I am originally from Beckley WV and just visited a couple weeks ago when I returned my snowbird Mom back home. Snowed twice while I was there and the daffodils were peeking through the snow! Love to see the WV girls getting recognized!

  156. Debbie Nims says:

    I love you blog!! Would love to win a cheese making kit!!

  157. Urbanite says:

    Sure I’d try donkey milk! The worst thing that would happen is that I wouldn’t like it. I would only be cautious if I had a cow milk allergy. I’m deathly allergic to cattle dander :no: but not the milk.

    What I really want to say is that Clover is adorable in the picture where she says she’ll work for marshmallows (even though I think she is fibbing). I regularly go through the archives reading the Clover posts over and over. She is the cutest thing ever!

    I’m already well supplied with cheesemaking stuff, so don’t include me in the drawing.

  158. Charley says:

    I’d love to win this! I’m waiting for my cow to freshen and would love to try my hand at making cheese 🙂

  159. Marty Crandall-Grela says:

    Love your cheesemaking recipes! Not sure I would try mule milk, but have a great deal of respect for them, as animals. Fifteen years ago I traveled cross-country by wagon train, the the mules were so much smarter than the horses, (and some of the other people) it was astounding. Very tireless and loving animals: I will choose a mule over a horse any day, now!

    and please put my name in for the drawing

  160. Erica says:

    i’d love to win this kit. Thanks for all the good photos and directions!

  161. Chris Palmer says:

    Please enter me in the drawing…would love to win 🙂
    Donkeys milk, I would try it as long as I didnt have to do the actual miking…my goats give me enough trouble, cant imagine trying to milk a donkey.

  162. cathy Lafrenz says:

    I so need to win the cheesemaking kit. I need it! OK — I only want it. But isn’t that the same thing????

    Please put my name in for the drawing.

  163. Jennifer says:

    I would try donkey milk and am also interested in trying camel milk (both animals are common here in West Africa where I am working). Thanks for the recipe. Who doesn’t love cheddar… and want to win prizes? I do!

  164. Billie says:

    Should I be the lucky recipient of this gift, I shall have it mailed to my baby girl in Maryland. And I will come back and post her nickname.

    Yeehaw, let the name drawing begin!
    Billie

  165. CindyS says:

    Please enter me also in your drawing! Thank you! :fairy:

  166. Jeff reybitz says:

    I love cheese!

  167. Dani Greer says:

    Nice to meet you, Suzanne. I hopped over from the New England Cheesemaking blog. I wouldn’t mind being entered in the drawing – and in any case, will try the stirred curd cheddar. I’m blessed with raw milk from my neighbors beautiful Brown Swiss cows :moo: so am always looking for new dairy projects to try. Thanks!

  168. Geri Page says:

    I want it! I have been somewhat successful at soft cheese and am ready to moove on to hard cheeses.

  169. Jody says:

    Please enter me too!! I love reading your posts everyday! You inspire me to try new things.

  170. Bonnie says:

    cheese please!! (or cheese making stuff….love the cheese, willing to make it!) :wave:

  171. wickedgoodshari says:

    A drawing, how fun! Please enter me in your drawing too.
    smiles,
    Shari :airkiss:

  172. Crystal says:

    Oooh, I just came back from taking Ricki’s Cheesemaking 101 class last weekend and I’d love a press! Please enter me. 🙂

  173. Loren M says:

    Thanks for all the great information! I would love to win the cheese making products so that I can get started at home!

  174. Omitade Adediran says:

    I have goats so I will give this a try using goat milk and I don’t live in the US, I live in Belize but thankfully I have a US mailing address so maybe I can win the kit and keep moving on my adventure in goat cheese making. Yes, I would try donkey milk. I think I would try most anything once, just so I could say, “I tried it and I didn’t like it”, if nothing else.

  175. rick says:

    I started making cheese last week. I made Queso Blanco twice so far, but looking fwd to Mozzarella, Cheddar, Cheddar Curds, and eventually, Limburger!!

    Please enter me. Thank you.

  176. Sam says:

    That sounds great! I would love one!

  177. ronelle says:

    ditto to all the above – please count me in…. :happyflower:

  178. Susan Glynn says:

    I’m ready for more cheese making supplies. Sign me up!

  179. Rachel Scherer says:

    Donkey milk – why not? If good pasture and clean water goes in, delicious milk comes out, no?
    Anyone know what kind of butterfat content donkey milk has?
    I have made the stirred curd cheddar with goat milk several times and we love the flavor but the texture is never smooth – its always grainy. Any ideas on altering that?
    Hope these thoughts are random enough for random.org to award me this month’s cheesemaking prize!

  180. Wanda says:

    I would like to try cheese making so would like the book. But what I really want is for Poky to have a baby. Think how cute it would be!!!

  181. Ricky says:

    We’re in for the cheese making kit, but probably not the donkey’s milk. Thanks for the post!

  182. Mark says:

    Thank you for your insight. I get all of my cheese making supplies at Cheesemaking.com and would love to be entered in the drawing.

    This cheddar recipe is awesome. Thank you again!

  183. Hamp Girl says:

    I’d like to win, please!

  184. Louise says:

    I would love to try to make cheese. Please sign me up.

  185. Sarah says:

    I would drink donkey milk. A donkey is just another animal. I’d drink goats milk, too. Sheeps milk. Any milk. I’ve never had the opportunity to try any milk other than cows milk, but I’m all in.

    Suzanne, why wouldn’t you drink donkey milk? I assume you drink BP’s milk. Right?

    No cheese for me, btw. I have no room for cheese-making just yet.

  186. Erica A. says:

    I’d like to make cheese!

  187. Shannon says:

    Please enter me in the drawing. There are goats in my future! 😀

  188. emily says:

    I would TRY donkey milk.

    I would LOVE the cheese kit.

  189. levia1 says:

    I would love to win this, I think cheddar is a possibility with this recipe

  190. Tara T says:

    Please enter me in the contest!
    I’ve never tried donkey milk. I thought I would never try goat’s milk, but I did. I would absolutely give the donkey’s milk a try…. once… on a brave day 😀 , no…. really…. I would!

  191. Gina Tillman-Young says:

    Traditional Mexicans tell so many stories of donkey milk saving preemie and orphaned babies and healing infection in infants as well. Wonder how much cream is in the milk? Why, we could make donkey butter, donkey ice cream, donkey cheese….the day could come when we might just call donkey milk milk, the same way we call Obama president, instead of black president… a raising of consciousness, and awakening to new horizons…. Please enter me in your contest!

  192. Kat says:

    Oh I want one! I really really do!
    Pretty please with a cherry on top?

  193. Annie says:

    Looks yummy and easy… sign me up!

  194. YayaOrchid says:

    I absolutely would love to win this prize giveaway! I’ve become fascinated with cheesemaking since reading your blog posts on making cheese. Thank you for having this giveaway!

  195. Mel says:

    Me too, me too!!! I totally want some cheese supplies!!! I need to expand beyond the soft cheeses!
    ~Mel

  196. John says:

    Please add me to the drawing!

  197. Melissa says:

    Great job on your cheddar. Please enter me in the drawing!

  198. Shelly says:

    Yes Yes Yes please add me!! We had goat kids on the first so we’ll be having extra milk soon.

  199. mommafox says:

    Seems like the cheese I have been buying has less and less “cheese” taste. Put me in for a chance to win a cheese making kit.

  200. Pat Holley says:

    I would love a cheese package! I milk two goats, and have made cheddar with it. Love the easy recipe. Thanks
    ~Pat

  201. jan~n~tn says:

    I finally got to read this post and I’m so glad. Problems now are: I’m hungry, and I need stuff to make cheese. Please put me in to win this great package.

  202. Laurie Giemza says:

    Oh I want the cheesemaking kit.

    And would LOVE to taste donkey milk. Have a horse and would definitely taste my mare’s milk if I ever bred her. I have been to Mongolia–where they love and value horses and still get around by horseback—don’t know about cheese, but they do make a mildly alcoholic beverage from mare’s milk. I wasn’t there in the right season to taste some, which I regretted.

  203. ziggy says:

    could this be my first foray into making my own cheese? it certainly could be? I’ll tell you all about it if it happens.
    Thanks!

  204. Mother of a ROCKSTAR says:

    Please put me in for a chance!! I would love to win this.
    Give Clover a cookie for me , please. Thank you.

  205. Kristi Thomas says:

    I’ve recently discovered home cheese making. I finally got brave and did my first aged cheese! The hardest part was being patient and waiting for the jack cheese to age! Now after seeing this I want to try making cheddar!

  206. Carrie Moore says:

    I am a cheese newbie and I need all the help I can get! This is definitely something that I need and WANT!

  207. Kristi Thomas says:

    Opps forgot to say I’d like to have a chance to win the kit! LOL

  208. Eileen says:

    Thanks for the info and pix on cheesemaking. I am inspired to try your recipe. Please enter me in the drawing.

  209. DebrafromMD says:

    I want to join the cheese making club!

  210. Liz says:

    I have become obessesed with reading about cheesemaking. I need this kit so I can actually do it!

  211. Marie says:

    Funny, but I made the regular cheddar first, and never tried the stirred one yet. But I sure could use the package. Wish me luck!

  212. Kristen E says:

    I always enter these and forget to check back to see if I’ve won. I’m dumb. I’ll try again! I want the cheesemaking kit! A friend and I are trying cheese this summer and we need all the help we can get. 🙂

  213. Glenie says:

    Over 200 comments already, do I have a chance of winning? I still have to try. I would love to win the cheese making kit.

  214. rurification says:

    Thanks for the recipe! Sign me up for the drawing.

  215. Sandi says:

    Cheddar is my husban’s fav; I’m ready to give hard cheese a try. I’d love to win the starter goodies!

  216. elizared says:

    Count me in for the cheesemaking kit!!

  217. Donn says:

    I would LOVE to have a cheese making kit

  218. Kim Lippy says:

    Please add my name to your drawing. Like everyone else, I would very, very much like to win. Thank you.

  219. Therese says:

    I’ve always wanted to make cheese! I would love this!

  220. Catherine says:

    I would just LOVE to win this set of stuff! I have been wanting to try making my own cheese now for a year or so but just haven’t gotten around to it. It’s sort of scary to make the investment to start but it’s something I really want to do! I already have two different sourdough cultures I bake with, and I make my own kombucha, kefir, and tibicos. Cheese seems like a natural progression LOL!

  221. farmershae says:

    I wouldn’t mind trying the donkey milk, but I’m just wondering who will hold her down long enough for me to milk her?!?! Please enter me in the drawing, I am so ready to make cheese!

  222. Theresa Winstead says:

    I would love to start trying my hand at cheese making! Thanks for all the things you share!

  223. Jess says:

    Put me on the list for the drawing too! I have almost 7 gallons of fresh goat’s milk in the fridge (most of a week’s haul) so I am looking for some cheese recipes to try this weekend!

  224. Patty Lack says:

    Please enter me in the contest. My Nubian, Trifle, is fresh with abundant amounts of milk crying out to be made into cheese!!!!!!

  225. Marianne says:

    Oh, that looks wonderful. I can’t wait to try it at home! I love your cheese experiments.

  226. heidibelekevich says:

    I want one!! Thanks for all the helpful photos.

  227. Olive Kaiser says:

    Very interesting article. I just got my cheese press and cultures and am ready to start on some “real cheese”.

  228. Anna says:

    OH, I would love this kit! I am milking 10 goats right now and will start weaning kids soon…and want to get my cheeses made before it gets to warm outside…prairie life can be…different!

  229. Jennifer S. says:

    I would love to win some cheesemaking supplies!

  230. jeninid says:

    Looks and sounds delicious. As a vegetarian cheese is BIG in my diet. Please enter me 🙂

  231. princessvanessa says:

    Donkey milk?? Ulp, no. I only drink about 2 glasses of cow’s milk a month and really only use milk on cold cereal and to make sauces in cooking.

  232. crystal m says:

    i totally want one. no, i wouldn’t wear donkey milk unless completely necessary.

  233. Shar says:

    I need to try this recipe too! How neat!

    I’d love to be in the drawing. Thanks to you and NECMC!

  234. Connie from Ohio says:

    PIck me pleeeeeeese. I neeeeeeeeed it. No donkey milk for me.

  235. Mafong says:

    I would love to make cheese, but I have been hesitant to try. What I need is the cheesemaking kit!

  236. Pat Wilson says:

    Count me in for your drawing. I enjoy making cheese. Thanks
    best, Pat in Vancouver, WA

  237. Lynn Baldwin says:

    What a fabulous website!! Thank you for sharing your humor as well as your knowledge. I would like to be in on the drawing as you have inspired me to resume my cheesemaking . Now I need to go read more of this site!!

  238. Marcy says:

    I love cheesemaking, but have only ventured soft cheeses successfully so far! Would love the kit!

  239. jennyo says:

    I would LOVE to win this prize!!! What fun the winner will have!!

  240. Carol in NC says:

    I just poured over this post back and forth making cheese in my head. Count me in for the give away!

  241. Mayra says:

    I just made my first Motz, this Sunday with my goats milk and it turned out realy good. I would realy enjoy this kit to make other kinds of cheese!!! :dancingmonster:

    I feel like this :dancingmonster: with everything I have going on, its all your fault Suzanne 😆

  242. Casey says:

    I would love the Kit from New England Cheesemaking! I love heir 30 Min Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit!

  243. Rachel in Charlotte says:

    Hello Suzanne! I’m the mother of two and my husband and I are hoping to start making our own cheese before our family gets any larger. We figure, the Lord willing, we’ll have plenty of mouths to feed. We’d like to raise our own animals eventually too, but we thought cheese making sounded a little less daunting in our tiny (but perfect for us now) town home. I actually saw this deal on the New England Cheesemakers website, so I’m excited to learn more tips about bread making, especially buns since I seem to have problems with those. Please count us in for the cheese kit drawing. Thank you so much.

  244. Monte Harris says:

    Please enter me in the contest

  245. lori says:

    I am so anxious for my babies to be weaned so I can start milking my goats! This is a recipe I am sure to try. The more traditional cheddar hasn’t worked so well for me, but I am still a novice, haven’t even had dairy goats for a year. Please enter me in the drawing. I may try donkey milk, if I didn’t have to milk the donkey!

  246. Phillis McLaren says:

    Cheese Cheese Cheese,,,,I love Cheese!! I would like a chance to win the cheese making kit.

  247. Sundownr / Bev says:

    :wave: me, me, please pick me for the cheese-making kit!! I’ve made a few quickie cheeses and now I’m hooked . . . I need a serious boost here!

    Oh, BTW, I finally got a copy of the Mammy Jane book coming in the mail, yay! I can’t wait to read it!

    I’ll be over here waiting for my number to be posted. :whip:

  248. Sulu says:

    Love your site! Full of wonderful ideas, images, recipes, stories. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for providing the opportunity to win such a great prize of cheesemaking tools. Cheese is perhaps my favorite food on the planet. I would definitely drink donkey milk, too, and I would especially eat donkey cheese! Cheers, and keep up the fine work here. :moo: Sulu

  249. James Huston says:

    I’m hooked on making beer and now cheese. I can”t learn enough. Thanks to you and all the internet instructors. The best to all, Jim

  250. phonedog365 says:

    I’d love to be included in the drawing! Recently made some farmhouse cheddar and it’s aging in the cupboard. I can’t wait.

  251. debbie says:

    I love cheese and have just started making my own. Winning this would be great

  252. Carol b says:

    This is really inspirational,especially since my first cheddar was kinda crumbly,thAnks for shRing and I hope I win!

  253. Daniel Stutzman says:

    I want to try my hand at cheesemaking so please put me in the drawing. BTW, your stirred curd cheddar looks awesome!!

  254. Terri Wilk says:

    Please include my name in your drawing, I would LOVE to win a starter kit. I just went to my first cheesemaking class in Florida and am anxious to begin making some basic cheeses once I have all the supplies. Although I don’t have goats yet, I’ll have a fresh supply of “for animals only” goat milk from down the road! Thanks, excellent pics and directions! Terri

  255. Melissa M says:

    I really want to try to make cheese, please enter me in your drawing!

  256. Rosanne Capone says:

    Yes! Yes! I want the Chezzzzzzzzzzz kit!

  257. Old Bones says:

    We just cut down some oak logs for our mushroom spawn plugs. Spent a few days looking for cheese wax and finally found the best deal at the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company (thanks to your site)

    OMG!! First mushrooms and now cheese. They say that you can’t teach Old Dogs New Tricks but you now have me doing mushrooms. Looks like cheese might be next.

  258. KellyF. says:

    I would love to win this set. I have been wanting to try my hand at making cheese for some time.

  259. Dave says:

    I could use any one of those prizes 🙂
    I hope to try making a cheddar soon!
    You’re blog has been bookmarked!

  260. TwistedStitcher says:

    I must win this kit. Please pick me!

    As for donkey’s milk. Why not. Can’t be any worse than some of the things I have been willing to eat in the past.

  261. Jen Trout says:

    Sign me up! I’ve made cheese before and it is great fun, and I have the cows for milk to boot! Great website. :cowsleep: :chicken:

  262. Sarah Beth says:

    Yes please!!! I’ve been making cheese using New England’s supplies for a little over a year but need more! I’m out of calcium chloride and have been using canning salt instead of cheese salt. :happyfeet:

  263. roosterrun says:

    Suzanne, Pick me. I have been wanting to try cheese making forever but am too afraid to try it on my own. Just the other day I was in my local cooks shop asking for cheese making classes. She said she will look into it. Please help me get started. Thanks. Sandy

  264. Maureen says:

    I would love to win it and give cheese making a try.

  265. Molly Tominack says:

    You make cheese making look easy! I would love to try my hand at it.

  266. Red says:

    Please enter my name in the drawing I would love to have the kit!

  267. Darlene in North GA says:

    Your cheddar looks yummy!

    And I’d love to win this prize!

  268. sue passinou says:

    a tuff life.. spending the day blogging and making cheese
    sue p

  269. Angelina Haley says:

    I would love, love to win this. I don’t know about donkey milk…goat’s milk and soy is the only thing next to cow’s milk that I have drank. Hmmmmm, I just don’t know about that one.

  270. Chickenlady62 says:

    I would love to win ,as would everyone else here :shimmy:
    please enter me in the drawing.
    Thanks
    TinaH

  271. andrea says:

    Still working on cheeses and would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway.

  272. Denae says:

    I would very much like to be put in the drawing! Thank you for sharing your experiences- I’ve made soft cheeses with my goats’ milk, but haven’t quite gotten to the pressed cheese yet!
    Have a blessed day!

  273. LisaB says:

    I would love to win the cheese making kit. About the donkey milk. I would be very careful trying to milk the donkey if I was you. It can be very tricky. To make a long story short, one of our donkeys had a baby that fell into the pond at birth. We got it out of the water and she wouldn’t take care of it. We had to milk out the colostrum to give to the baby. She didn’t like it at all and we had to sedate her. Everything turned out fine, I bottle fed Rascal for 6 months. He still calls me Mommy. For a long time he thought he was a dog.

  274. Martha W. Williams says:

    Okay – I’m game. If I had a beloved donkey, I would try this recipe from her milk! But, since I don’t, will have to suffice with Farmer’s Market cow milk. Your photos/site are/is beautiful! Inspiring! I am excited to try my hand at this recipe. Keep up the good work! and I hope to win the package!! This is my first post but it won’t be my last, love your labors!

  275. Joey says:

    I’d love to try hard cheese – please enter me!

  276. Carrie A. in Utah says:

    I love cheddar, I love your cow and I would love to be entered!

  277. Carrie says:

    I would LOVE this cheese making package. I promise I will make hard cheese and report back with all the details of my foray into cheesemaking. I’ve done mozzerella (following your recipe) but am scared of hard cheese. 🙂

  278. Jennifer Lemmerman says:

    I am so excited to start making my own cheese. I’d love the kit!

  279. backwoodsdreaming says:

    I see I’m not too late! Please enter me :duck:

  280. Kristy says:

    Oooooh, I want it!

    And no… love donkeys, but not sure I’d drink donkey milk… goat yes, cow yes… just can’t wrap my mind around donkey…

  281. PetalzAndFinz says:

    I think I’m going to give this one a try. Have 2 gallons of milk in the fridge today and some time on my hands. Please enter me in the giveaway!
    ~Jenny~

  282. barb in Blackhoof says:

    inspiring as always, i want to try it soon. my goats have just freshened – got a gallon this morning and we’ll ramp up soon when the kids are weaned. please do enter me into the contest. this is such fun!
    we live in cheese curd country – very near Wisconsin – so i’d like to try making curds also.
    thanks for sharing
    barb

  283. Jenna says:

    Please enter me in the drawing!

  284. Turtle Mom says:

    I would love to learn how to make cheese!!!

  285. Mary R. says:

    I would like to give it a try.

  286. Janice Beall says:

    Please enter me in the contest.

  287. melissa says:

    OOh!! I’ve been thinking about cheesemaking for a while … I want that kit! Pick me, pick me!! :cowsleep:

  288. monica godwin says:

    Just found your website courtesy of the Cheese Queen. Wow, someone whose life is so like mine!!! Keep on keeping on, mud season is almost over. Only one tiny doeling on the ground so far and we’re looking forward to trying cheeses this year! We’d love to win the package!Happy milking from Kentucky!

  289. Becky D says:

    I’d love to try my hand at cheesemaking.

    As for donkey milk, sure, why not? It’s worth a shot at least once.

  290. Raymond Villa says:

    I am new at cheese making but have made mozz 5 or 6 times with great success using store bought milk. Sub 1 qt half&Half for the milk and it makes it more creamy. I have a new cheese cave which I just purchased and in there I have a monterey jack waxed and waiting for June a Farm cheddar 2 weeks to go and just made my first Blue cheese. I used an innoculum from Danish Blue. hope it does well. Please enter me in the drawing for FREE Stuff..

    Thanx Ray Villa Yuba City, CA…..

  291. Angela says:

    How fun for you! It’s great to accomplish a goal. We recently had our first batch of successful cheese, and we were elated! I’d love to give this cheddar a try.

  292. Wanda H. says:

    Please enter me in your contest

  293. Willamette Valley Girl says:

    What a wonderful gift! Yes, my family and I would love to win this. Thanks! :moo:

  294. Marie Taylor says:

    Oh please enter me. I want to try my hand at this cheese. Hopefully we can get a cow on our farm this year.

  295. Jill says:

    I love reading about your cheese making. You are so lucky to be able to have your own animals. Please enter me in your drawing.

  296. Old Bones says:

    Geez! I got so excited about doing the mushrooms and finding the cheese wax,I forgot to say that I would like to win.

  297. Melody C. says:

    Hi! I am starting to make cheese, and would love to win a cheese-making kit.

  298. Angelica Cramer says:

    I want to share homemade cheese with the world! (please enter me in the drawing) :moo:

  299. Jo says:

    Fantastic as all your cheeses have been!
    Enter me please

  300. Bren says:

    Yes… I definitely want to have a chance to win your New England Cheese Making Kit … thanks for the opportunity. Just today a friend gave me some Kefir, cream cheese, and ricotta cheese she made via her goats’ milk. Would love to be able to bless her in return. Have been wanting to make cheese, in particular aged cheddar… one of my personal favorites. Oh… and yes, I would definitely try Donkey Milk, am open to new foods, especially those which are good for you. BTW, am enjoying your blog… found it via FB … Cultured Kitchens.

  301. Laurie D. says:

    Ooooh oooh pick me! :sheepjump:

    Donkey milk? = Jacka$$ cheese?

  302. Christine Johnson says:

    Please enter my name in the give away…..I am busy waxing store bought cheese until I can learn how to make my very own….Thank you for all of your instiritation. Christine

  303. Mindy W. says:

    Hope I get this in on time. Say cheese!

  304. Bren says:

    CONGRATS Phillis McLaren …. ENJOY! It was fun completing with you… bren

  305. TONYA says:

    I think I’ll pass on the donkey milk too, Suzanne

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