Quark Sour Fresh Cheese Food

QUARK (SOUR FRESH CHEESE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 150°F/65°C. Pour the buttermilk into a baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil or a lid.
• Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 8 to 12 hours. When the buttermilk is ready to drain, the solids will have separated from the whey, either in soft clumps or in one lightly set uniform mass.

QUARK (HOMEMADE CHEESE)

Steps:

• Bring milk to a simmer in a saucepan; remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Whisk buttermilk into milk; let sit at room temperature, 8 hours to overnight. Strain mixture through cheesecloth over a bowl in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.

GERMAN QUARK

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk into pyrex baking dish.
• Cover with lid and put into oven overnight at lowest temperature (150F).
• The next morning line the colander with cloth and pour the lumpy buttermilk into it.
• Cover with the ends of the cloth and let drain into sink for about 6 hours.
• This process can be accelerated by putting a bowl filled with water on top.
• This recipe will yield about 1/4-1/2 lbs. of quark.

QUARK SPATZLE WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the spätzle: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it until it tastes like sea water (about 2 teaspoons per quart). Whisk the quark, eggs, and yolks together in a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to stir in the flour until smooth. Season with the salt, nutmeg, and white pepper.
• 2. Using half of the spätzle dough at a time and working quickly, push the dough through the holes of a colander (or spätzle maker) into the boiling water. Stir the spätzle and cook until the water returns to a simmer, about 1 minute. Then, using a skimmer or a large slotted spoon, transfer the spätzle to another colander. Run cold water over the spätzle to stop them from cooking further. Set that batch of spätzle aside. When the water returns to a boil, make the rest of the spätzle, repeating the procedure.
• 3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the butter and then the onions. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and light brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until tender, another 2 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add the spätzle. Fry, stirring frequently, until the spätzle begin to turn golden, about 10 minutes. Season with the nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
• 4. Add the cheese and fry, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the beef stock and cook, stirring often, until it is absorbed. Add more stock until a thick, soupy consistency is achieved.
• 5. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and fry until they are brown and slightly crisp.
• 6. Serve immediately, garnished with the fried shallots and chives.
• Note: Hoch Ybrig is made in Zurich from cow's milk. It is a buttery, nutty, pungent cheese, similar in flavor to Gruyère. It is available at specialty cheese stores.