One-Hour Cheese

June 2, 2014
According to Lucero (UrbanCheesecraft.com), every home cook has a “One-hour Cheese” kitchen. Lucero demystifies the ancient art of making fresh cheese, revealing simple, age-old methods for 16 basic varieties, all easily prepared on the stove top. Through her foolproof process, Lucero guides cooks, advising them how to prepare kitchen, pantry, and mind for cheese making and how key ingredients of acids, salts, milk, and rennet combine to “bring out the potential of a gallon of whole milk.” Step-by-step photographs walk cooks through properly heating milk, stirring curds, molding, kneading, and stretching. Organized into three basic cheese styles (Creamy and Spreadables, Firm and Chewy, Melty and Gooey) and level of difficulty (Easy, Easier, and Easiest), recipes include variations for herbal mix-ins, edible flowers, nuts, fruits, olives, or honey. Molding techniques abound, and serving suggestions showcase cheese platters, grape leaf wrapping, and a splash of fruit and booze. A section on how to make butter, ghee, and low-tech yogurt as well as discussions about milk varieties (raw, pasteurized, goat) and the benefits/uses of fresh whey encourage home cheese makers to “think like a farmer.” From a tangy Meyer lemon ricotta to a curried paneer, Lucero’s recipes show home cooks that the art of crafting fresh cheese is accessible on their own stovetops.

March 15, 2014

Entrepreneur Lucero sells DIY cheese kits through her website (urbancheesecraft.com) and several other venues. Her debut cookbook includes 16 homemade cheese recipes (e.g., curried paneer, favorite melty mozzarella) that can be made in one hour or less with conventional ingredients and equipment. Lucero provides plenty of step-by-step photographs and troubleshooting tips and invites readers to email her for "curd support" when things go wrong. She also shares recipe variations, serving suggestions, easy accompaniments (e.g., homemade crackers and spreads), and creative presentation ideas. VERDICT A fantastic introduction for novices who want simple, delicious, DIY cheese.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.