Lemon Zest Buttermilk Fresh Cheese Food

LEMON POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray two 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the long sides of the pans with parchment paper "slings" and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray again.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, lemon zest and lemon juice. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.
• With the mixer on low speed, beat in one-quarter of the flour mixture, then one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Beat in another quarter of the flour, then another third of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with another quarter of the flour and the remaining buttermilk mixture. Finally, beat in the remaining flour mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, and give a quick mix to make sure all of the ingredients are well-incorporated.
• Divide the thick batter into the prepared pans and smooth with a rubber spatula. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the top is golden and a tester comes out clean.
• Set the cakes on a cooling rack, and cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife along the unlined sides of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan. Using the parchment slings, lift the cakes out of the pans and place onto the rack, leaving the parchment paper in place under the cakes. Let cool for about 1 hour.
• When the cakes are almost cool, make the syrup. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• When the cakes are cool, carefully transfer them to serving platters.
• Gradually brush the warm syrup all over the cakes, including the sides, letting it soak in as you go.
• To make the glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. Add more confectioners' sugar or lemon juice as necessary to make a thick but pourable glaze (it should be a little thicker than you'd think, about the consistency of molasses or honey). Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the cakes sit for about one hour to allow the glaze to set before serving.
• Note: If you'd like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here.
• Note: You'll need 4 to 5 large lemons for the entire recipe.
• Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead of time and stored in a cake dome or airtight container at room temperature. They can also be frozen (without the final glaze) for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving. (Add the syrup before the cake is frozen and add the glaze after the cake is thawed.)

LEMON-RICOTTA PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, polenta, baking powder and salt. In a large measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, ricotta, lemon zest and eggs. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and fold together, using a rubber spatula, until just combined. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow the polenta to soften.
• Preheat a rimmed griddle to medium-low heat. Add oil to coat the griddle.
• With a 1/4-cup measure, scoop batter onto the griddle. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the pancakes to a plate and continue with the remaining batter. Serve warm with lots of warm maple syrup.

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.

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 SWEET ROLLS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the yeast, buttermilk and 1 tablespoon sugar and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Add the butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, lemon zest, salt and cardamom to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low to combine. Add the eggs and buttermilk mixture, and stir until combined.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add 4 cups/510 grams of the flour and stir until all of the flour is moistened. Switch to the dough hook, and mix for 5 more minutes. The dough will be soft and billowy, and it will stick to the bottom of the bowl. Add more flour if the dough seems very, very soft.
• Transfer the dough to a fresh, lightly oiled bowl. Turn the dough to coat it with oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Alternately, refrigerate the dough before rising for up to 24 hours and proceed with the recipe as written. The rolls may need a slightly longer second rise.
• Make the filling: Combine the sugar, lemon zest, cardamom and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers to rub the lemon zest into the sugar.
• Assemble the rolls: Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and butter the pan and paper. Gently deflate the dough by folding it over itself a few times in the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat or roll it into a rectangle about 12-by-16-inches and 1/4-inch thick. Gently spread the soft butter over the dough, and sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top. Roll the dough into a tight log and use a serrated knife or length of floss to cut the log into 12 even pieces.
• Place the rolls into the prepared pan, cover, and let rise again until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You can also refrigerate the rolls before the second rise for up to 24 hours, if you'd like to bake them later. Let the rolls rise at room temperature until doubled in size before baking.
• Finish the rolls: Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the rolls are golden and cooked through. While the rolls are baking, make the icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. The icing should be quite thick, but spreadable. Add a little more lemon juice if necessary.
• Let the rolls cool for about 5 minutes, then spread the icing over the top. Enjoy warm.

ZESTY LEMON LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 loaf pans.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and salt in a bowl; set aside. Cream together the butter and 2 cups sugar in a separate large bowl; beat in the eggs. Stir in the lemon zest and orange liqueur. Add the buttermilk. Add the flour mixture while whisking gently. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in the preheated ovens until a toothpick or small knife inserted in the crown comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Remove from pans and move to a cooling rack.
• Whisk together the lemon juice and 3/4 cup sugar until the sugar dissolves. Gently drizzle the mixture over the hot loaves. Allow the loaves to cool completely before serving.

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.