I love the Cooperative Extension Service. They taught me how to make mozzarella cheese yesterday. Now for sure you can buy the box of rennet and read the directions but hands on experience is a great way to learn. Not only did we learn how to make cheese, we had fun and we learned lots of great stuff. Like how to calibrate an instant read thermometer (use ice water and turn the small nut underneath the dial) and that they now have vegetarian rennet (don't ask where it comes from, I'm think the stomach lining of a radish maybe?). Most importantly it was a simple connection with people from my community. I actually was paired up with a friend of mine from Master Gardeners class (also offered by the Cooperative Extension Service), it was so nice to take break from the craze of planting and meet up with an old friend and make new ones. A truly lovely way to spend the day, plus now I can make my own cheese. Check this out--->>
I also, oddly enough, was awakened early by my son and happened to be sitting in my living room when a full grown Russian Wild Boar strolled in to my yard and headed for our birds. Luckily it veered away from them and headed straight for my garden. That's when I tried to shoo it away, HA! It simply stared at me as if to say "bring it lady" at which point I hobbled back inside to call the troopers who laughed at me like I was silly 'cause "we don't have those up here". Yeah I pretty much felt like a dork but I seriously saw a wild boar. When you see one of these bad boys, you know what you saw. Turns out my neighbors down the road raise these lovely creatures and one (or more) escaped. They caught it but I guess I should have got out my rifle and shot it, nah in hindsight that would have woke up my kids too early. You guys believe me don't you? Right?......right?
picture from The Pig FarmOh and welcome me to this decade (no I did not buy a microwave!! geesh) I finally signed up for twitter. Am I twit now?
I love fresh mozzarella.. how did you do it!! I am adding you to my sidebar as we speak:)
ReplyDeleteOMG! I want to make my own mozzarella! And that pig/boar/scary creature? YIKES!
ReplyDeleteI think I've already mentioned how jealous of you I am...and the fact that you can make your own mozzarella doesn't help! I'll do without the boar though!
ReplyDeleteLook at you go girl, you always amaze me. Fresh Mozzarella sounds devine!
ReplyDeleteThat is too scary about the boar, Glad it left the birds and the garden away. Hope the neighbor keeps them in for now on!
Microwave, yeah right like that would happen :). Twit yup that explains it all :)
The crockpot liner is going to haunt you .. LOL
Wow, look at you with the homemade cheese!
ReplyDeleteAt my parents' house in NC we had two pigs run into the yard (this is on the ocean, btw) and my mom tried to call the police and animal control and they told her it was probably a stray dog. Turned out to be the same thing - neighbors down the road had them in their backyard and they escaped. Too funny!
Yum yum on the cheese!
ReplyDeleteWow...I wish I knew how to make homemade cheese, especially mozzarella. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I made homemade mozzarella once with my friends and it was so fun squishing it into balls!
ReplyDeleteHey, did you see Foodbuzz is having a foodie weekend in SF in Nov? Maybe you can come to that if you can't come to BlogHer!
What's your Twitter name?!
Oh just kidding, found the link! :)
ReplyDeleteOh yum! And you didn't give us a tutorial? I LOVE fresh mozzarella. Mmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteLOVED learning how to make homemade mozzarella earlier last month. so much fun!! and caprese salads are the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm baaacccckkkkk!
ReplyDeleteI've got a fun tag over at my place if you are interested...