Herbed Buttermilk Fresh Cheese Food

BUTTERMILK-HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk together the mayonnaise, herbs and a generous pinch of salt in a small bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk and a couple turns of freshly ground black pepper until blended.

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.

HERBED BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and pepper.
• Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work in the pieces of butter into the flour until; the dough is crumbly and resembles small peas.
• Add the herbs and the buttermilk (a bit at a time), stirring just to blend well.
• Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, and press into and circle about 1/2-inch thick, with your fingers.
• Cut biscuit shapes with a biscuit cutter or a floured glass, placing them on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Gently reshape the dough, and repeat until no more dough is left.
• Brush the tops of the biscuits with a small amount of melted butter and bake in a preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve warm, with pats of butter or cheese spread, if desired.
• Note: Biscuits can be made in advance, and rewarmed easily; or left just a few minutes underbaked, frozen, then finished in the oven to thaw and cook nicely till done.

HERBED CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, garlic, vermouth, parsley, salt, basil, tarragon, sage, and white pepper in a food processor until smooth. Refrigerate at least 1 day before serving.

BUTTERMILK HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Chill overnight to allow flavors to develop.

HERBED 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 herbs 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.