Homemade Ricotta: Calcium Lactate

Mrs G's Homemade Ricotta

2 teaspoons calcium lactate

2 litre whole milk

300ml pure cream 

1 tablespoon salt, or to taste

water

Mix 1/2 cup of lukewarm water with the calcium lactate and stir to dissolve.

 

In a non reactive pan mix the milk, cream and salt. Stir in the water/calcium lactate mixture and place over medium heat. Do not stir. Have ready a bowl of water and a ladle this will be used to control the temperature of the milk. I assume this was used before there ever was thermometers to measure that the temperature was correct. It just goes to show we don't need fancy equipment to make good food.

As you see a bubble rise to surface pour a little ladleful of water to cool it. You will see the curds forming. It will not take long. Do not allow it to boil or heat for too long or your ricotta will be tough.  When all the ricotta has come to the surface turn off the heat and ladle out the curds into a fine strainer. You can line it with cheese cloth but Mrs G never bothers.

From Marcellina in Cucina

Farm to Table Tour: To Benefit UUVA

I love learning about fellow NYS and Northeast farmers and artisans.  All part of the effort for consumers to Know Your Food.  It is just as important to see the people work and the environment as it is to know the location.   We promote and support local vendors and producers through our upickcsa.com.   We spend time going to the farm and seeing the process.  Only five farms are part of this tour  - featuring Wrobel Farm in Bridgewater, us-  Ambrosia Farms, Dutch Girl Cheese in Leonardsville,  Poplar Hedge Farm  and The Captain's Grove in West Winfield.  Here is a list of all the local farms in the Upper Unadilla Valley I can think of - they include:

Ambrosia Farms - upickcsa.com, hay & woodwork,  Horse & Hound Rescue
Bates Farm - Ayrshire cattle
Dutch Girl Cheese - artisan cheese maker
Poplar Hedge Farm - dairy goats and artisan cheese maker
The Captain's Grove - maple syrup
Wrobel Farm - garlic, hops, corn
Haar Family Farm - eggs
Fiddle Tree Farm - veggies and orchard
Aaron Amish Farm - strawberries, baked goods, and veggies
Spooner - lamb and sheep

Your $10 ticket will benefit Upper Unadilla Valley Association whose work has brought attention to preservation of historic homes and natural resources in our area.  Some farms will give out free samples.  We are proud to be able to participate and let people know the work we do on the farm to raise heirloom veggies and build artisan custom woodwork as well as preserve our old growth forest, natural resources, open land, and great and loving care of our domestic and farm animals.

Big Business: Organic Packaged Lettuce

Comedy - skip to the first dot - Back in Black segment - Funny!

Tapioca Pudding - store bought and dressed up!

I am surprised at a few things about this store bought product 

 1/ that it has "all natural' ingredients and 2/ that it has half the calories of my favorite store bought ice cream - hagan dazs! I never purchase ice cream because - too heavy on the calories and irresistible at the same time.  So this pudding, although not part of my regular diet was a good alternative less fatty treat!  I dressed it up with sliced bananas and macerated dried apricots( in grand marnier) - warming them before topping the pudding... bananas and pudding are great together and the dried fruit with freshly grated nutmeg presented a quick and good desert.

Heirloom Tomato Sauce: a recipe for Fresh Picked or Frozen Tomatoes