Basic Cream Cheese (Making Cream Cheese at home)

Cream Cheese is an essential part of Western cuisine.It is used in various ways from dips,to fillings and dessert toppings.In countries like India where thanks to the Internet people have realised the importance of making recipes from other cuisines,the costs of imported products are sky high as a result of which many people are grounded and have unfulfilled dreams of recipes they crave to make but do not have the ingredient.

This recipe will benefit many people who have dreamt of using Cream Cheese as a preferred ingredient.In future posts I will be including Cream Cheese as a main ingredient for different recipes.

This recipe yields approximately 250 gms of the freshest,tastiest,softest and best Cream Cheese.The recipe does not include salt for people to use the Cream Cheese according to their likes.

Preparation Time : 5 hours

Makes : 250 gms Cream Cheese

INGREDIENTS

1 litre whole milk

2 tbsp white Vinegar mixed in 1/2 cup hot water

4 tbsp fresh Yogurt/Greek Yogurt

METHOD

Boil the milk on medium heat till it comes to a simmering boil.Take off heat and wait 10 minutes.

Add 1 tbsp of the vinegar – water mixture stirring the milk all the while till it separates into clouds of soft,loose white cheese.This is the Indian Paneer and we stop at this stage while making Paneer as we drain out the whey and use the residual cheese.

But in Cream Cheese we take it a step ahead.Line a colander or strainer with loose cheesecloth or a kitchen towel and drain the cheese and whey.

Note : Keep a pan under the whey and store it in the refrigerator for awesome soft rotis,addition to gravies and adding to future cheese making times.

Allow the cheese to completely drain the water.For 1 litre milk you will get 225 – 250 gms cheese.

Put the cheese in a blender or a chutney jar and add the fresh yogurt.Blend till satiny smooth.

Pour back into the cheesecloth and let the extra moisture drip for an hour.Spoon into a glass or ceramic bowl and put the lid on.Refrigerate immediately if not using.Keep refrigerated.

Lasts for a month if kept refrigerated.

A spoon of yummy Cream Cheese…