Homemade Mozzarella Cheese

Ingredients

• cool water (0.75 cup)
• liquid rennet (0.25 teaspoon)
• citric acid (1.5 teaspoons)
• raw milk (1 gallon)
• salt (1 teaspoon)

Instructions

1. Combine 1/4 cup water and rennet in a small bowl; mix well.
2. Combine remaining 1/2 cup water and citric acid in another small bowl; mix until dissolved.
3. Pour milk into a large pot set over medium heat. Stir in citric acid mixture.
4. Heat milk, stirring occasionally, until it registers 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.
5. Remove milk from heat and stir in rennet mixture in a figure-8 motion for 30 seconds. Stir counterclockwise for 30 seconds to still the milk. Let stand, covered, until milk sets into curd, 5 to 10 minutes. Press edge of curd gently with a palette knife or the back of a spoon to check for firmness.
6. Slice vertically into the pot to cut curd into 3/4-inch cubes with a palette knife. Stir curds gently, but leave cubes mostly intact.
7. Return pot to the heat; cook over medium heat, stirring curds gently, until temperature reaches 109 degrees F (43 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
8. Ladle curds into a colander set over a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Press curds gently to extract liquid whey. Pour drained whey back into the pot.
9. Heat whey to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C), about 5 minutes. Wearing gloves, tear off a piece of curd and place on a slotted spoon. Dip curd into hot whey for 5 to 10 seconds. Stretch, fold, and knead curd. Repeat until mozzarella is smooth and elastic. Knead in salt and form curd into a ball. Repeat dipping and kneading process with remaining curd.
10. Allow mozzarella to cool. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator.
11. Enjoy!

Nutrition

(*Nutrition data is approximate and may vary depending on the brand and type of ingredients used.)

• kcal: 195
• fat: 11 g
• sats: 6 g
• carbs: 15 g
• fibre: 0 g
• protein: 11 g
• salt: 0 g