Homemade Goat Cheese

Hi guys Open-mouthed smile How are you?? Thank you so much for the incredible comments and words of support today. My mom read the comments to me as I drove, some made me cry little happy tears and all of them warmed my heart <3

We’re having fun so far- gabbing, singing and a few nuts jokes have occurred Winking smile

nuts

And just drove into Alabama.

drive

The weather has been glorious and the puppers have been sleeping like little angels in their dog beds. Hope the rest of the drive goes like this!

Until I’m back in the morning with that workout video, here’s an awesome guest post from a good friend of mine: Mara.

She made something that I CANTFREAKINGWAIT to experiment with soon: homemade goat cheese!

See ya in the morning Smile

xoxo,

G


Hi Fitnessista readers! It’s Mara again, back with another guest post while Gina is off on another whirlwind adventure! I write a little cooking and food blog called What’s For Dinner? and am constantly looking for new food projects to embark upon.

When Gina asked me to do a guest post, I had to think of something truly fabulous because, honestly, this is GINA we’re talking about here! When it hit me, I wish I could say it was like a light bulb went off. But it was more like a lightning bolt.

One thing I always think of when I think about things our Fitnessista loves is goat cheese. Goat gouda, goat cheddar, any goat cheese will do I think. So, instead of making something with goat cheese, I wanted to go one step farther.

I made goat cheese.

I now have a jar of fresh, homemade, local-dairy goat cheese full of organic chopped basil in my fridge that I wish I could ship to each and every one of you, but alas, I can’t. But sharing the process and product photos with you is something I can do!

Don’t be scared… it’s really no more difficult than a pot of stovetop oats!

Step 1: Procure pasteurized goat’s milk. Not ultra-pasteurized, just plain old regular pasteurized.

goat milk

Step 2:

strainer

Step 3: Heat 2 to 3 quarts of goat milk over a medium flame until it reaches 180*Fahrenheit.

Step 4: While the milk heats…

lemonjuice

Step 5: When the milk reaches 180*Fahrenheit, add the lemon juice. Allow it to sit until curds form, about 40 seconds to a minute.

Step 6:

curds

colander

Step 7: Wait. Then wait some more. Then wait a bit more… I waited about 4 hours. Avoid the temptation to put the cheese-in-training in the fridge. The warmer air in the house is good for it!

Step 8: Scrape the cheese into a bowl.

Step 9:

herbs

Step 10:

crackers

Step 11:

finished

So there you have it. Homemade goat cheese (about 10 ounces worth!) for $6 and about 4 hours. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it made me feel oddly, what’s the word… resourceful.

Gina, I hope your trip goes smoothly, and next time I see you, I’ll come bearing cheese!

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32 Comments

  1. Heather (Heather's Dish) on December 7, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    i love me some mara 🙂 this sounds amazing and who knew it was so easy?!

  2. Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous! on December 7, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    I hope your drive is going well and I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!! I can’t wait to hear all about your fabulous adventures in Tucson! 🙂

  3. Shannon on December 7, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    Wow Mara, you really made that un-intimidating! Who knew! Great post 🙂

    Happy (and safe) travels to you, Gina!

  4. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on December 7, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    This is freaking amazing.

  5. Claire @ Un Bello Aperitivo on December 7, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    Wow, this is really creative! Looks wonderful.

  6. Annette on December 7, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    holy yumm! Maybe one day I will take the time necessary to make such great cheese 🙂

  7. Joanna@drizzle of sunshine on December 7, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    Safe travels!

    I’ve never had goat cheese but now I NEED to try it!! I love all things cheese!

  8. LisaG on December 7, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Does it taste better/fresher than store bought? I bet so.

  9. VeggieGirl on December 7, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    EXCELLENT, Mara!

    Good luck traveling, Gina!

  10. Nicole @ Making Good Choices on December 7, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Cheese making always amazes me. I need to try this!

  11. Dee on December 7, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    Oh my goodness! This homemade goat cheese looks AMAZING!

    Happy and safe travels ahead Gina!

  12. Mara @ What's For Dinner? on December 7, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    @LisaG YES!!! Its AMAZING and not overly salty like so many store-bought goat cheeses. Safe travels Gina! Thanks for having me over 🙂

    • LisaG on December 8, 2010 at 10:02 am

      Yum, the possibilities are endless. Sundried tomatoes, oregano, olives, I will give it a try over the holidays.

  13. Tamara on December 7, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    You and your Mom are a couple of nuts 🙂

    • Fitnessista on December 7, 2010 at 11:13 pm

      you have no idea 😉 haha

  14. Krystina (Basil & Wine) on December 7, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Gina: I’m glad your trip has been good so far. <3

    Mara: YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!

  15. Christin@purplebirdblog on December 7, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    HOLY CRAP! I can’t believe how many things I’m learning to be so easy to make… first tortillas and now FREAKIN’ GOAT CHEESE! Wow!!! 🙂

  16. Cara Craves... on December 7, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    I can’t believe that it is that easy to make goat’s cheese!
    Now I just have to track down some goat’s milk.

  17. Namaste Gurl on December 7, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    Wow– what an amazing gift to be able to make one of my favorite cheeses! Wish I had the time and patience 🙂

  18. Kiran on December 7, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    Great recipe. Its the same method I use to make usual cheeses like ricotta and homemade yogurt! So yum! Have a safe trip Gina – missing you already 🙁

    • Fitnessista on December 7, 2010 at 11:08 pm

      missing you too, friend! i’ll be back to visit

  19. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table on December 7, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    Cheese totally intimidates me, but this looks fantastic! I may have to go for it.

    Best to you, Gina!

  20. Ann Liu on December 7, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    omigosh. new blog reader for mara! loove goat cheese!

  21. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on December 8, 2010 at 8:28 am

    I actually just learned how to make my own cheese in my food science class! Now I really want to try making goat cheese though. 😀

  22. Amanda on December 8, 2010 at 8:41 am

    Best guest post EVER!! Thanks Mara and Gina!

  23. elise on December 8, 2010 at 8:55 am

    hey gina – i just read your last post and i wanted to offer hugs and let you know my thoughts are with you as you start off anew in tucson. your positivity will no doubt get you through the initial hardships, but it sounds like this is where you truly belong now.

    and, thanks for the guest post mara!

  24. salah@myhealthiestlifestyle on December 8, 2010 at 8:58 am

    I definitely have no excuse not to make my own goat cheese now! Great guest post 🙂

  25. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) on December 8, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Gina, safe travels and glad the puppies are sleeping…when kids (and pets) sleep on a long road trip, it’s a beautiful thing 🙂

    Mara great recipe…I actually make cashew nut cheeze using similar principles…soaking the nuts, draining them, blending them, adding lemon juice and waiting in the warm-ish air for fermentation to happen. Vegan cheeze spread!

    Have a great day, ladies 🙂

  26. kate on December 8, 2010 at 10:58 am

    You make these things look so easy Mara. And dont even get me started on how delicious this looks!

  27. JavaChick on December 8, 2010 at 11:39 am

    That is just cool. Who knew it was so easy?

  28. emily (a nutritionist eats) on December 8, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I have to make this!! Love goat cheese!

  29. Sima on December 8, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    Have got to try this. Never knew it could be so easy to make and cheap to.

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