Mozzarella Cheese

 Mozzarella Cheese is so easy to make.  It only takes about half hour.   I have seen some people use vinegar instead of Rennet, but I've never tried it.  You can get Rennet on line or in health food stores.  You can find citric acid in the grocery store in the canning section.   Both the rennet & citric acid goes a long way.  You can use pasteurized whole milk, but not ultra patronized.    

MOZZARELLA CHEESE

Ingredients:

*1 cup chlorine-free water

*1.5 teaspoons citric acid

*1/4 cup chlorine-free water

*1/2 teaspoon rennet

*1 gallon whole milk (raw milk is best, but not necessary)

*1 tablespoon kosher salt 

Directions:

~In a small bowl, mix 1 cup water and citric acid together until dissolved. 

~In an another small bowl, mix 1/4 cup water and rennet together. 

~Pour milk into a large bowl.

~Vigorously stir in citric acid mixture.

~Heat up mixture over medium low heat until it reaches 90 degrees (stirring often).

~Remove milk from heat.

~Stir in rennet mixture for about 20-30 seconds.

~Cover and sit for 10 minutes.

~Using a sharp knife, cut the curd into squares and about 1-inch wide (like a checkerboard).  Make sure your knife is long enough to cut all the way to the bottom of the pot.

~Place pot back on burner and cook over medium-low heat, until mixture reaches 105 degrees (gently stir often, careful not to break up curd).

~Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes.

~Remove curds from pot and place into a mesh strainer (keep the liquid "whey").

~Let drain for about 1 minute, and then gently squeeze mixture to remove any extra liquid.  

~Heat up whey to 180 degrees.

~Place curds into a clean bowl.

~Pour hot whey over curds.

~Allow to sit for 20-30 seconds or until soft and pliable. 

~Remove mixture from whey and sprinkle salt over it.

~Pull the mixture to stretch it.

~Fold and stretch mixture until it is until mixture is smooth (about 4-6 folds).

~Shape mozzarella cheese into a ball.

~Once you have aa ball, set in into ice water.

~Allow to sit for 10 minutes before using (you and cover refrigerate at this time for up to 4 days).