How to Make Gourmet Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a creamy cheese made with goat’s milk. It has a tart flavor and is often used as a spread on crackers. It is available in the dairy or cheese sections of most supermarkets and can be served chilled or heated. Making your own goat cheese is both fun and easy.

Things You'll Need

• 1 gallon of goat's milk
• 1 qt. of buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon rennet
• Thermometer
• Cheesecloth
• Plasitc container
• Plastic wrap
• Collander

Instructions

How to Make Gormet Goat Chaeese

1. 

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the goat’s milk, buttermilk and rennet. The rennet contains a proteolytic enzyme that coagulates milk and divides it into liquid and solid components.

2. 

   Pour the mixture into a stainless steel or non-reactive pot. Place the pot on the stove and gradually heat the mixture until it reaches 170 degrees F.

3. Remove it from the heat and pour it into a plastic container.

4. Cover the container with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit overnight or for at least 12 hours. During this time the rennet will separate the mixture into curds (solids) and whey (liquid).

5. 

   Line a colander with cheesecloth and drain the mixture into it. If you do not have cheesecloth, one can be improvised from a white pillowcase thoroughly washed with soap and water. Let the mixture drain overnight or for at least 12 hours. During this time, the excess liquid will be removed from the mixture.

6. 

   Remove the cheesecloth and pour the mixture into an airtight container. Store the goat cheese in the airtight container and keep it refrigerated. This recipe yields approximately two pounds. It should keep for approximately two weeks.