Super Easy Mascarpone

Super Easy Mascarpone Mascarpone is a rich, luscious cheese that makes fresh fruit taste divine! While it can be a bit pricey at the grocery store, it is amazingly easy to make at home. Follow these steps and get ready for fresh berry season! A note about cream:  Make sure to read the carton carefully when […]

Making Yogurt in the Instant Pot

Making Yogurt in the Instant Pot by Stacie If you have an Instant Pot in your kitchen, you’ve likely discovered the 1001 ways to make mealtime easier and more efficient. But have you ventured into Instant Pot yogurt making? Making yogurt in the Instant Pot is even easier than making yogurt in a yogurt maker. […]

Goats Milk Feta

Goats Milk Feta I like to eat local foods as much as possible. While that is fairly easy in the Portland area, along about February, I begin to tire of beets and sunchokes and yearn for fresh-tasting greens. Once those greens appear in the market, it makes me think of fresh cheese. And what better cheese to go […]

Cheesemaking

Cheesemaking Spring is the time of year when I get the urge to DIY everything, from the garden to the kitchen and beyond. This week, cheesemaking is on the agenda. I wanted to make something fairly simple using cultures I already had. I decided to use my mesophilic cheese culture to make Queso Fresco. Ingredients:¼ vegetable […]

Making Sense of Cheese Cultures

Making Sense of Cheese Cultures by Suzanne Making yogurt at home is one thing, but making your own cheese? That’s way too much work! Or is it? Many cheeses can be made using milk and some basic kitchen equipment that you probably already own: a pot for heating milk, a large slotted spoon, and a […]

Dehydrator Temperature

Dehydrator Temperature by Suzanne Testing the Temperature of Your Dehydrator for Yogurt-Making Doesn’t it feel wonderful when the temperature begins to rise just a bit? It doesn’t take much warmth to give me that feeling that spring is finally coming to Portland. For us fermenters, rising temperatures mean easier fermenting conditions for many different foods. When […]

Yogurt Making 101: Which Milk is Best?

Yogurt Making 101: Which Milk is Best? How the Type of Milk Affects Homemade Yogurt Homemade yogurt is healthier and offers better nutrition than store-bought, and you can make it to suit your preferred tastes. Whether you are just starting with your first batch or want to experiment with different kinds of milk, the question […]

The Details: Heated Yogurts

The Details: Heated Yogurts by Suzanne Some yogurt starters require heat to activate the bacteria, so that those bacteria can do the work of fermenting the milk. These yogurt starters are called thermophilic starters, meaning heat-loving. Which yogurt starters are thermophilic? Bulgarian Yogurt Starter is a reusable starter that makes a mild-flavored, thick yogurt. Greek Yogurt Starter […]

An Intro to Yogurt

An Intro to Yogurt by Suzanne Trying to add probiotics to your diet but not sure how to get started? Enter Yogurt! Yogurt is the best introduction to probiotic foods you can find, and the whole family will love it! Why Make Yogurt At Home? Yogurt is familiar to nearly everyone, so it’s easy to add […]

Fermentation on Vacation

Fermentation on Vacation Years ago, when traveling, I would have to do research on my destinations as to where all the natural food stores were. I had to be sure I’d be able to get my “fix” (primarily Kombucha) wherever I went. If you’re an addict like me, you know what a few days without […]