Homemade Lemon Thyme Buttermilk Fresh Cheese Recipes

BUTTERMILK FRESH CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut out three pieces of cheesecloth into 12-inch squares. Line a colander or medium strainer with all three layers of cheesecloth. Set colander in sink.
• Combine milk, buttermilk, and salt in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat until mixture has separated into white curds and translucent whey, about 8 minutes. If using lowfat buttermilk, separation occurs at about 180 degrees and the curds will clump together readily. If using whole buttermilk, separation occurs closer to the boiling point, about 212 degrees, and the curds are finer-grained. When using whole buttermilk, let curds and whey stand off heat for about 3 minutes after separation, so the curds cling together and facilitate the straining step.)
• Ladle the contents of the saucepan into the prepared colander. Let the whey drain, 1 to 2 minutes. Lift the four corners of the cheesecloth and gather them together. Gently twist the gathered cloth over the cheese and press out any excess whey.
• Cheese can be unwrapped immediately and served warm, or let stand until cooled to room temperature, about 10 minutes more. To serve a firmer cheese, transfer cheese, in its cloth, to a small flat-bottomed dish or pie plate; refrigerate until cool, about 10 minutes. Unwrap cheese and gently invert onto plate; discard cloth. Tent cheese with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated up to 2 days. Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

LEMON-THYME BUTTER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, dried thyme, and fresh lemon juice. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.

LEMON CHEESE

Steps:

• Grate the zest of 2 lemons; squeeze juice from 3 lemons.
• Melt butter with sugar over very low heat in a double boiler; slowly pour in beaten eggs and lemon juice. Stir lemon zest into butter mixture; continue to stir constantly until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat to cool completely.

HOMEMADE FRESH CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a large pot, and heat until the temperature reaches 195 degrees F (90 degrees C), or almost boiling. Stir constantly to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pot. When the milk reaches the temperature, remove from the heat, and stir in the vinegar. Let stand for 10 minutes.
• Line a strainer with cheesecloth, and set over the sink or a large pot or bowl. The milk should separate into a white solid part, and a yellowish liquid (whey). Stir the salt into the milk, then pour through the cloth-lined strainer. Let the curds continue to drain in the strainer for 1 hour. Discard the whey.
• After the cheese has finished draining, pat into a ball, and remove from the cheese cloth. Wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Fresh cheese will usually last about a week.

HOMEMADE LEMON-THYME BUTTERMILK FRESH CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut out three pieces of cheesecloth into 12-inch squares.
• Line a colander or medium strainer with all three layers of cheesecloth.
• Set colander in sink.
• Combine milk, buttermilk, salt, lemon zest and thyme in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat, stirring often until mixture has separated into white curds and translucent whey, about 8 minutes.
• If using lowfat buttermilk, separation occurs at about 180 degrees F and the curds will clump together readily.
• If using whole buttermilk, separation occurs closer to the boiling point, about 212 degrees F, and the curds are finer-grained.
• When using whole buttermilk, let curds and whey stand off heat for about 3 minutes after separation, so the curds cling together-this way you won't loose tiny curds through the cheesecloth.
• Ladle the contents of the saucepan into the prepared colander.
• Let the whey drain, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Lift the four corners of the cheesecloth and gather them together.
• Gently twist the gathered cloth over the cheese and press out any excess whey. Do not squeeze to tightly or you will end up with a grainy cheese.
• Cheese can be unwrapped immediately and served warm, or let stand until cooled to room temperature, about 10 minutes more.
• To serve a firmer cheese, transfer cheese, in its cloth, to a small flat-bottomed dish or pie plate; refrigerate until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Unwrap cheese and gently invert onto plate; discard cloth.
• Tent cheese with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated up to 2 days.
• Remove from refrigerator and let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.
• You can omit the lemon and thyme and opt for cracked black pepper, or fresh rosemary, or red pepper flakes, lemon zest and dill -- whatever fresh herbs you like.
• You can also reduce salt to 1/2 teaspoon, adding 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on how sweet you want your cheese.

LEMON ZEST BUTTERMILK FRESH CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut out three pieces of cheesecloth into 12-inch squares. Line a colander or medium strainer with all three layers of cheesecloth. Set colander in sink.
• Combine milk, buttermilk, salt, and lemon zest in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat until mixture has separated into white curds and translucent whey, about 8 minutes. If using lowfat buttermilk, separation occurs at about 180 degrees and the curds will clump together readily. If using whole buttermilk, separation occurs closer to the boiling point, about 212 degrees, and the curds are finer-grained. When using whole buttermilk, let curds and whey stand off heat for about 3 minutes after separation, so the curds cling together and facilitate the straining step.)
• Ladle the contents of the saucepan into the prepared colander. Let the whey drain, 1 to 2 minutes. Lift the four corners of the cheesecloth and gather them together. Gently twist the gathered cloth over the cheese and press out any excess whey.
• Serve unwrapped cheese warm on French bread, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt.

LEMON-THYME BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, wheat germ, salt, lemon zest and thyme in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it is in pea-size pieces. Gently stir in the buttermilk with a wooden spoon until just moistened. The dough will be loose.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3 to 5 times, just until it comes together. (Don't overknead or the biscuits will be tough.) Roll out to 1/2 inch thick, then cut out biscuits using a floured 2-inch-round cutter. Arrange on an ungreased baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and cut out more biscuits. Brush the tops with water and sprinkle lightly with salt and thyme.
• Bake the biscuits until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

LEMON THYME BARS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish.
• For the bars:
• In a small bowl combine flour, thyme and salt. Set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together 1 stick of butter and powdered sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture. Using damp fingers, press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes until golden. Cool for 30 minutes.
• For the glaze:
• In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon juice and powdered sugar together until smooth. Spoon the glaze over the cooled crust. Allow the glaze to harden, at room temperature, for at least 1 hour.
• Using a metal spatula, remove the crust from the pan. Cut into 1 1/2-inch square bars and arrange on a serving platter or store airtight in a plastic container at room temperature.

THYME LEMONADE

Steps:

• Bring 1 bunch thyme and 1 1/2 cups each sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let cool, then strain the syrup into an ice-filled pitcher. Stir in 2 cups each fresh lemon juice and cold water. Serve over ice with thyme sprigs and lemon slices.

HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK

Steps:

• Place the vinegar in a glass-measuring cup, and add enough milk to make 1 cup total liquid. Stir to combine and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes (The mixture will begin to curdle).
• Use as needed in a recipe, or cover and refrigerate until needed.

HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK

Steps:

• Pour milk into a bowl; add lemon juice and stir to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes. Use immediately.

LEMON-HERB BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and sour cream. Whisk in the lemon juice and olive oil, and season to taste with salt and plenty of black pepper. Stir in the thyme, basil and chives.

LEMON-THYME SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the cooked chicken or pork from the skillet. Working over medium-high heat, melt the butter, add the thyme and shallot, and cook for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour into the pan, then cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock, bring it up to a bubble, and cook until thickened, 2 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and the juice of the zested lemon, and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken or pork and serve.

LEMON THYME BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425*F.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Place the butter pieces and lemon peel in a medium bowl or in food processor.
• Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt over the butter.
• By hand or with the food processor, mix the butter into the flour until evenly distributed.
• Add the thyme and mix well.
• Add the buttermilk and stir or pulse briefly.
• The dough will be soft and a little sticky.
• On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough into a 9-inch circle that is about 1/2 inch thick.
• Slice it into six pie-shaped wedges.
• Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with a little buttermilk.
• Bake for 20 minutes, until the biscuits are firm and nice and golden brown.
• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

LEMON-THYME BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg. Combine buttermilk and sour cream. Combine the flour, thyme, lemon zest, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition., Transfer to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Cool completely; sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.