Fresh Ricotta Cheese

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 gallon milk
• 1 teaspoon citric acid (fresh squeezed) or 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 pour milk into a large non reactive pot. add the acid or lemon juice and salt; stir.
• 2 heat the milk to 195 degrees. stir often to avoid scorching. when curds and whey separate, turn off the heat. allow to set undisturbed for 10 minute.
• 3 line a colander with a clean muslin dish towel or several layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl or container.
• 4 ladle the hot curds and whey into the cloth covered colander. tie the cloth into the bag and hang the cheese to drain for 1 hour. makes 1 3/4-2 lbs ricotta.