Goat Cheese Making {a tutorial}

 

Goat cheese is one of my favorite cheeses & during E's first year, seemed to be more mild on his system than cheese from cow's milk.

 

A friend of mine found a great local source for fresh goat's milk & I have been experimenting with making my own goat cheese over the past few weeks!  It is a super economical option (goat cheese is PRICEY!) and also more fresh & nutrient rich as we are able to get it from a local source!

 

Goat cheese is really easy to make and isn't very time intensive either. 

 Here is the rundown of how to make your own goat cheese.

 

You'll need:

 

1 half-gallon raw (or pasteurized) goat's milk

1 TBSP lemon juice

Candy Thermometer

Saucepan

Cheesecloth

 

 

Heat goat's milk over medium heat until it reaches 180* F.  Be sure to watch it closely, so it doesn't overheat!

 

Remove saucepan from heat.

 



                

 

Squeeze in 1 TBSP of lemon juice, stir slightly & wait about 20 seconds or until you start to see curdles form.  This is the whey separating from the cheese.

 



 

 

Transfer the cheese & whey mixture to a cheesecloth sack.  You can also layer cheesecloth over a colander.  Allow cheese to drip & drain the whey off for about 1-2 hours.  The duration of time you allow the whey to drip off will determine the consistency of the cheese.  If you like your cheese more crumbly, you may want to allow the whey to drip off longer. 

 

                

Once it has reached the desired consistency, transfer to a bowl & add salt, garlic & your favorite herbs or spices.  I used fresh dill from our garden in this batch- YUM! :)

                 

 

 

12 months old

 

 

Clearly, I am a little bit  behind on this post.  We were so busy enjoying your first birthday & celebrating you that I almost forgot to do my monthly post on your growth!

 

It has been so wild and also precious, to think over the past year of your life & to think back to the day you made your entry into the world & into our arms.  Your dad & I are so blessed.

 

Two weeks ago, we celebrated your first birthday with family & friends at our side.  Prior to that, in your 11th month of life, you changed so much & turned from a baby to a toddler right before our eyes!

 

Some notable things from month 11:

 

You began full out WALKING.  At 10 months, you had just taken your first steps & this past month we got to watch you take off.  Literally.  You became a walking machine & I think are still quite impressed with your newfound skills.

 

You've also begun to squat & stand back up in place rather than just tumbling down on your bum when you want to grab something off the floor.

 

You have started to communicate more & mommy & daddy are learning your language.  "Ma" means "more" and that is one of your most commonly used words, along with "Ca" for "car", "da" for "that" or "the" and your favorite parental word these days is "Dada".  You also say "Dadee" which we think is your version of "doggie"

 

With your newfound skills, you are much more independent these days & like to get into just about anything you can get your hands on!  You give mom & dad quite the workout!

 

You shake your head, although I'm not sure that you know that means "no" yet, and I am just fine keeping you in the dark on that one ;)

 

Balls & your new hammer toy are some of your favorites now & you are getting really good at sorting toys & putting objects into other objects. 

 

 

We are so proud of you little man & look forward to the next year of life with you!