A cheese making list - all the tools you need.

We are barreling down the road toward Goat Season 2015 and by that I mean the goats are due in about a month. Goat baby season? Who cares - all I can dream about is cheese glorious cheese! I need to make a cheese making list so I'm absolutely ready for cheese action - you know how I love to cut the cheese....and the stupid jokes that come along with it.

 Can you believe I made this cheese? So can you!

Books:
I started with the standard issue getting started with cheese but I have to say that I love that I love 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes much better. This book is not for experienced cheese makers - it's great for beginners also.

•  200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes: From Cheddar and Brie to Butter and Yogurt An excellent book with lots of goat milk cheese recipes.

•  Artisan Cheese Making at Home: Techniques & Recipes for Mastering World-Class Cheeses This is a beautiful book.

• Home Cheese Making: Recipes for 75 Homemade Cheeses The book most people get started with. Good for cow milk cheese.

Tools

• A big stainless steel stock pot with a lid. This is a light grade but that's OK because you aren't using it to cook just to mix and stir. Make sure the one you get is stainless - and has a lid.

• Long handled stainless steel spoon.

• High quality/commercial grade cheesecloth. Do not skimp on this! Don't just use the loosey-goosey kind from the grocery store.

• A good quality digital thermometer - a waterproof one is even better.

• Cheese wax - I would get red or black.

Starters and kits

• Ultimate Cheese Kit You know that I love Leeners and wow they have an incredible kit. This has everything you need and more. Depending on what kind of cheese you'd like to make this could work for you. I normally stick to buying tools by the piece but if you know someone who wants to go all out this is amazing.

• Rennet - I like the tabs and not the liquid. The tablets can be stored in the freezer for a long time. I just take one out at a time to use and break into pieces. It's not as exact as using the drops but it's easier for me.

• Mesophilic starter. This is the starter for many fresh cheeses. It's a great starting er...starter.

• Cheese salt. Cheese needs a remarkable amount of salt. This cheese is flaky which makes it better for cheesemaking than normal table or kosher salt.

• A cheese press.  If you really want to go all out you need this for hard cheeses. I don't need no stinkin' cheese making press.. you know there isn't anything I can't do with kitty litter buckets... or if you are crafty you can make your own.

You can make this cheese too.

And that is what will get you started. Of course, once you are off and running you might want to get Moldsand molds....and other starters.. Most folks start with a fresh cheese like chevre and then work their way up.

Happy Tuesday everyone - are excited about making cheese?

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