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Ingredients for homemade cottage cheese including lemon juice or vinegar

How To Make Organic Full Fat Cottage Cheese

Mel | Missouri Girl Home
Use this simple and clean recipe to make a rich and creamy organic homemade full fat cottage cheese that is high in protein, low in calories, without artificial ingredients.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 1 Large heavy bottomed pot with lid
  • 1 Food Thermometer
  • 1 Large slotted spoon
  • 1 Cheese cloth or tea towel
  • 1 Large bowl or pot
  • 1 Airtight storage container

Ingredients
  

  • ½ gallon organic whole milk
  • 6 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon non iodized salt or sea salt
  • ½ cup organic cream or half and half

Instructions
 

  • Heat one half gallon of whole milk in a large heavy pot over medium heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully to make sure the milk does not burn.
  • Once the milk reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from the heat.
  • Add 6 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice with a wooden spoon. Stir well.
  • Cover the pot and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
  • While the milk and acid mixture is resting, place the cheesecloth or tea towel in a large colander and set it over a large bowl. If using cheesecloth, use a double layer.
  • After 30 minutes, use a large slotted spoon to remove the cottage cheese curds from the liquid whey and place the curds in the lined colander.
  • Allow the rest of the liquid to drain from the curds into the bowl.
  • After the cheese has dried slightly, gather it up in the cheese cloth or tea towel and squeeze it tightly into a ball.
  • Run the cheese, still wrapped in the cloth, under cold water while continuing to squeeze the ball gently.
  • Once the cheese has cooled, unwrap the cheese curds and break into desired size curds (large or small).
  • Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add the cream or half and half a few tablespoons at a time, until you are at the desired consistency. You may or may not use the entire ½ cup.
  • Add more salt to taste.
  • Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Notes

This homemade full fat cottage cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, just make sure it is used before 7 days or before the expiration date on the milk that was used to make the cottage cheese.