Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Blog: Vicki Batman-Stinky Cheese?

Stinky Cheese?

A while back, I told a girlfriend I was in a rut. I wanted to do some new things. Here's some ideas we explored:

Tatting-need more lessons.
Mah jongg-still learning, but have improved.
Basketweaving-class cancelled.
Crochet-liked, but went back to needlepoint.
Basic Plumbing-shall try when offered again.

But when this one caught my eye, I was all over it in a heartbeat. Cheesemaking 101.

The only thing I knew about cheese is eating it. But this store and the founder has a world-wide reputation. The Julia visited here. The cheese is served on American and Virgin airlines. The best restaurants use it.

The company is located in a reviving area of town. Part of the 100 year-old tile floor is in the entry. We signed our names, got aprons, hairnets, washed hands. The class, led by the founder and owner, started with the company's history. Then, we toured the facility with her describing the various cheeses in the cooler.

It all began with milk poured in a double boiler. The class cut in half lots and lots of lemons. Using a reamer, we got out the juice which was strained and poured into the double boiler. A few minutes later and some stirring--abracadabra--we had ricotta.

I'm not kidding. It was like magic.


Hey! don't laugh at the girl in the hairnet. lol


After the ricotta was scooped and stowed in containers, we were showed three kinds of mozzarella which began with mozzarella curds-- balls, string cheese, and olive loaf.

We chopped the curd, kneaded it into bits, added hot water, strained and pulled the cheese as she had. Afterwards, the class participated in a wine and cheese tasting. We took home our goodies, too.

I had a blast getting out of my rut and expanding in this way.

What are you doing that's new and interesting? Want to try Plumbing 101 with me?


Vicki Batman is ensconced in her wheelie chair with a diet Coke and her ancient napping cat. Find Vicki at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com Or at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com. Her latest and greatest is San Diego or Bust: http://museituppublishing.com


4 comments:

Sheila Seabrook said...

Cheese making, now that's something interesting and unusual. I've been thinking about taking painting classes. I've always wanted to learn how to paint. Maybe next winter. :)

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Sheila! I did a fun painting class where everyone did the same painting. I really liked it. So go for it!

Anonymous said...

Now you've really got me curious--I must try that. I've done all sorts of adult classes, but I think I enjoyed ballet the most--took it for 17 years--got on pointe at 35. And then the studio closed. Waa!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Joan! and nice to see you at HBW. I would love to do ballet and get on pointe! But the tricky ankle would say no. The cheese was truly fun and not hard at all. Go for it!