Queso Blanco / Paneer

Tzitzimitl's Note:

No... really... you can make cheese at home. This is a really versatile cheese, but I should note that it does not melt and has a very light flavor that will chameleon to whatever you put it in. I use it instead of tofu in things because the consistency is similar and I'm allergic to soy.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 1.0 cheese ...

• 1/2 gallon organic milk
• 1/4 cup white vinegar

Directions:

1. Bring the milk up to 190 degrees in a non-aluminum pot and then hold the temp at 190, stirring occasionally. (I do this in a crock pot to avoid scorching by heating it slowly -- I also use a thermometer).
2. After the milk has sat at 190 for 10 minutes, I start adding the vinegar. This is something you kind of have to do by sight. The milk will start to curdle instantly. Continue adding the vinegar a tablespoon at a time until you can see definite separation of the milk curd and the whey (*it'll look like greenish colored egg drop soup.*).
3. Strain the whey away from the cheese by pouring it into a collander lined with cheesemaker's cheesecloth, muslin or a potato sack towel. The cheese will look white a rubbery.
4. Bring up the edges of the towel and tie together. Twist the towel from the top down to the cheese until the cheese is in a ball and the whey is running off of it. Hang the towel from the kitchen sink or a hook over the kitchen sink.
5. Allow the cheese to hang from your kitchen sink draining for about 3 hours (I've left it overnight and it's been fine).
6. About every half hour for the first two hours, give the cheese a good wringing by twisting the towel from the top down to help it form a good compact ball.
7. This cheese keeps in the fridge for several days or in the freezer indefinitely.