Everybody Gets Cheese (in 30 minutes)

In the 80s, the Tom and Jerry cartoon became a hit in many homes around the world. And my mother was their number one fan. She collects every Tom and Jerry thing she can see, just last week, I got her a tom and Jerry-themed table mat and she showed me a matching tom and Jerry serviette she had bought.

The cartoon captured the conflict between cats and mice. The duo would sometimes team up, but mostly they would run circles around each other and the homeowner. The cause of their contention was usually a yellow glossy block with holes all through it – cheese. Jerry, who was the mouse, would do anything to get it. Quite understandable too. I mean, have you tasted cheese? Yum!

Cheese is a staple in many homes even today. It accentuates the tastes of many basic snacks like crackers, fruits, meats, and sandwiches. Charcuterie boards of meat and cheese has become a popular delicacy in the last few years. Cheese just doesn’t heighten the taste of food, it’s also a core ingredient for a lot of dishes: mac n’ cheese, Cheesecake, pizza, potatoes, lasagna, and even pasta! But much more than tasting good, cheese is a great source of many nutrients. It’s made from dairy milk which is rich in Calcium, proteins, Zinc, Vitamins A, and B12; all good for strong bones and a healthy heart.

However, as much as we all love cheese, there are some major drawbacks; store-bought cheese contains excessive preservatives, gums, stabilizers, and fillers. The chemicals are put in to preserve it but all these additives could have a negative effect on the body and give cheese-lovers the risk of facing a myriad of health problems like cancer, heart disease, liver problems. So, if you’re a health minded person, and prefer organic meals, chances are you've written cheese off your menu but, not so fast!

Do you know you can make cheese right in your home? Homemade cheese is healthier and you can make it without all these dangerous additives. It all starts with milk - rotting milk. But, don't think leaving a glass of milk out in your kitchen for a week would get you a block of cheese, all you'll get is a rancid kitchen. In the next article, we'll share how you can make a chemical-free block of mozzarella cheese in just 30 minutes!