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Submit Your DIY Cheese Videos!

Posted on May 1, 2013 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Uncategorized

It’s spring and that always means new projects and new energy for me. It also means lots of farm fresh milk!

Wheatsville Co-op in Austin Texas made this video  of themselves making our creamy goat cheese with some of their local milk- it’s adorable and instructional.
goat kit with cheese
When they shared it with me, it gave me an idea! Instead of adding more how-to videos to my ever-mounting list of projects, why don’t I just share the videos YOU make with my kits?!

So, I challenge you little cheesemakers. Make a good instructional video using any one of my cheese kits and send it in to me (contact page). If I post it, you will get a $20 credit in my Etsy shop. Don’t get your feelings hurt if I don’t post it. I just want to make sure that you are actually teaching people what they need to know, since I will ultimately be helping them with questions! :)

I will post the instructional videos in a special section of tutorials on my site, but I love troubleshooting videos, bloopers, outtakes, dirty faced kids and baby goats so send any and all video links and even photos for a different section.  This is not a contest and there is no deadline. It will be ongoing  until I think we’re covered.

I’d suggest posting your video on YouTube, Vimeo or similar. Then I can just link to it after you put it out into the world. Ok, go be a cheesemaker, teacher and a filmmaker! I can’t wait to see what you come up with, happy spring! Claudia

ps. if you don’t know where to find fresh milk, enter your state and city into www.realmilk.com and see if you have some nearby.

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We’re back and ready for business! DIY Bread Cheese anyone?

Posted on January 10, 2013 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Uncategorized

Hi there, just a quick note to officially open back up after the nice, long, luxurious and restful winter break we took! I hope you had some fun and cozy times too.

Now that routines are getting back to normal, my thoughts turn to comforting, every day meals and of course, cheese. I was inspired when I saw an image somewhere of Bread Cheese, also known as Juustoleipä- ever heard of it? You can get the basics here plus some lovely images since I haven’t offered many!

Give it a go if it’s stocked near you but if it isn’t, I think you could use our Paneer recipe, add salt to taste and press the drained and almost cool cheese into a buttered cast iron skillet. Broil it until it browns a bit on the top. Allow to cool slightly, slice up and serve. Serve how you ask? Well, you could come up with some normal ways like with fruit and a warm potato leek soup or topped with pesto and alongside an arugula, pear salad…but if the cold weather is making you nutty, you could try dipping it in coffee as is traditionally done with Bread Cheese- this blogger puts all manner of weird and delicious looking things in coffee!

Have fun!

To Recap- So when your Paneer is still pliable but not runny at all, press the cool curds into the buttered cast iron skillet. If possible, allow to cool further in the fridge and firm up like you would Paneer normally. You can broil it as mentioned, or just toast it on the stove top and serve it upside down to show the crispy side. It will not melt, just get a crispy crust while remaining soft on the inside. I think the maple syrup or jam idea sounds amazing. Yum.

So while your paneer is still pliable, press in into the buttered cast iron skillet. You can broil it as mentioned, or just toast it on the stove top and serve it upside down to show the crispy side. It will not melt, just get a crispy crust while remaining soft on the inside. Yum.

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On Winter Break and a Simple Holiday Recipe

Posted on December 19, 2012 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Uncategorized

We got our holiday orders out and now it’s time to catch up with every day life , our own holidays (oh yeah, WE have to get gifts for others too! Yikes!) and just enjoying winter. We got a brief dusting of snow but it was enough to remind me, solstice is here on Friday. I hope you enjoy a toasty fire and good company on that day and many more this winter!

If you get gift money for the holidays and want to get a cheese kit, come on by, we will open all shops back up on December 23 but we will not start shipping until January 9, 2013. Happy New Year, see you in 2013 with new cheese adventures to share!

A wholesome and comforting recipe to help you enjoy your fresh cheeses- this is great as an appetizer, dessert or brunch item.

Solstice Cheese Bake

Store it like cream cheese with or without herbs.

Oh the exciting things we can do with  this fresh cheese!

Solstice Cheese Bake

You can use Ricotta/Farmers’ Cheese/Queso Fresco for this.

2 cups fresh cheese (unsalted or just a pinch of salt)
1/2 cup honey or preserves of your choice (pear or apricot are good)
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans

1. Mix half of the honey or preserves into your cheese and mix til smooth and creamy.  You can get fancy and add anise seeds, orange zest etc. for more complex flavor.

2. Put the mix into a ramekin or other dish that you can bake. Broil the cheese just until you see a little hint of color on top.

3. Drizzle the rest of the honey or preserves on top of the warm cheese, sprinkle with the nuts and serve. If you do not use preserves, you can also sprinkle with dried cranberries, currants or even dark chocolate shavings for more festive flair!

You can spoon this cheesy goodness onto waffles or pancakes or serve with shortbread or other simple cookies or fruit. I wish I had a photo of the finished product for you but it never lasts! Happy Winter.

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Sorry, No More Holiday Orders- Back in a Few Days!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES

Hi! Just a  quick note to let you know that I have had to pause all sales in order to  fill orders and ship to all of you wonderful customers promptly. I am not able to accept any more orders for the holidays. The shop will go live again on Dec. 23rd but I will start shipping those orders on January 9, 2013. Use that gift cash :) ! I will begin to respond to messages on January 2, 2013.

HUGE thanks for your support all year, I hope you have some cheesy good times very soon, Claudia

cheesemaking party

SALE PAUSE- December 16- December 22

SHOP KEEPER’S BREAK- December 22-JANUARY 2

MUST HAVE A KIT BEFORE JANUARY? TRY YOUR LOCAL WILLIAMS-SONOMA STORE FOR KITS I CREATED FOR THEM:

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/search/results.html?N=4294964793&words=cheese+kit

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The New Mini Kit and a Hands-on Mozzarella Class this Saturday, Dec. 1

Posted on November 28, 2012 by in Uncategorized

So much has happened and I’m behind on updates as usual so I’ve decided that rather than go for perfect posts, I will just go for quick, current posts more often…how about that?

So, to start, I made a new kit for you, just in time for the holiday season. It’s under $10 for this intro season, makes 3 batches of a simple, no-fail and delicious Farmers’ Cheese. The kit is super cute , tiny and a low commitment way to try making cheese. These will be great in wine and cheese baskets, stockings, or to give to co-workers, neighbors, teachers etc. Hope you enjoy sharing the mini kit as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it! Look for new kits in 2013, I’ve been busy :) .

Presenting our Mini DIY Cheese Kit

Now, a class!
I’ve taught several without letting you know, so sorry! One of my goals is to create more online tutorials but you know how it is, so many ideas, so little time!

Fresh Mozzarella- New Seasons Happy Valley (near Portland, OR)

stretching mozzarella


Join me and Cassy at the New Seasons Market in Happy Valley on Saturday, December 1st from 1:3opm-3pm. This will be a hands-on mozzarella class. Only $30 and you will get your own ball of mozzarella to take home. We’ll team you up and two of you will split a batch. The class is limited to 14 people so call and sign up soon.

Saturday, 12/1, 1:30-3pm
Call to register- (503) 558-9214
Mozzarella, Hands-on (bring a container)
Kits will be available for sale.

Won’t be in Portland and no classes in your city? I can’t help but style my kits after my classes, grab a kit and go for it on your own. They all come with lifetime email support from me, so you will surely succeed and impress the heck out of yourself.

I hope your autumn is going well. Take care, Claudia

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Paneer is the New Grilled Cheese

Posted on August 22, 2012 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Uncategorized

Why not try Paneer for you next grilling adventure? It won’t melt as you might assume, that’s why you can find it in curries and other hot dishes, it just soaks up flavor and gets soft. On the grill, a whole other delicious thing happens…

Check out Ivy Manning’s piece in the Oregonian’s Foodday section for more info. and a yummy recipe for grilled Paneer and Veggie Kebabs.

Of course, you and I know you can make your own Paneer from scritchity scratch, so get our recipe now and have these kebabs for dinner- if you want to inspire someone else, you can always get them a kit as a gift, enjoy!

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My Creative Customers Are Way Ahead Of Me!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Uncategorized

With our first week of 80-90 degree weather (102 one day!) in Portland, Oregon., I was just getting used to the idea of it being summer and today, an awesome customer reminded me that autumn is not far. She used one of our goat cheese kits to re-create an artisanal cranberry cinnnamon goat cheese that her family enjoyed but had trouble finding.

That’s just one of the reasons why making your own cheese is so cool! You can create any flavor combo you crave or come up with and you can find inspiration all around…what interesting combinations have you come up with? As always, have fun playing with your food, Claudia

Don’t these flavors and photos make you look forward to fall?! YUM Check out Melissa’s Blog WhimsiCali.
cranberry cinnamon chevre

Here she is, adding that seasonal goodness to her homemade goat cheese! Preeeety. This is her photo btw.

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Urban Cheesecraft Kits Launch at Williams-Sonoma today!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by in Uncategorized

Hi there! If you’ve noticed I haven’t written much for a while, here’s why…my goat cheese and mozzarella/ricotta kits launched with Williams-Sonoma today! They are part of their awesome new Agrarian line.

Check it all out HERE.

Thank you all of the support you’ve given me and my business!

Shop Our Cheese-Making KitsWatch Video

MAKING FRESH CHEESE is a great introduction to a time-honored food craft–and one that provides instantly enjoyable results you will be proud to serve and share. Home-crafted cheese is simple to make and requires no specialized equipment. It’s easy to get started with just fresh milk and a basic cheese-making kit. Whether you use grocery-bought or dairy-delivered milk, you can be sure that homemade cheese will contain no artificial ingredients, taste more flavorful and cost a fraction of the price of commercially produced varieties.

The Joys of Making CheeseIn as little as one hour, fresh mozzarella, ricotta or goat cheese can be ready to serve on its own or in recipes. Use fresh cheeses in dips or toppings for crostini, added to stuffings for vegetables or poultry, stirred into creamy soups, layered into lasagna and other baked dishes or served with fresh fruit for a simple dessert. It’s easy to customize cheese by using different types of milk or by adding your favorite flavors and stirring in chopped fresh herbs, sweet jam or chutney, or dried fruits and nuts. Making fresh cheese is also an ideal activity to share with children, who will gain an appreciation for using quality ingredients and traditional methods while watching milk transform into cheese right before their eyes.

Try Our Recipes Using Fresh CheeseCrostini With Herbed Chevre and Kumquats
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Etsy made a short documentary about my cheese kits!

Posted on July 19, 2011 by in CHEESY ADVENTURES, Press, Uncategorized

Hi everyone. I’m so happy to tell you that my business was chosen for an Etsy film. Not sure how well-known these films are but they are really inspiring and artistic. All are posted on the same Vimeo channel. The Etsy team clearly has a love for making good films and telling stories. This is not just a commercial- it really conveys my interest and beginnings in cheesemaking as well as the larger part it plays in my life. I’m very proud to be a part of this film project.

Eric and Dan followed me for a couple of days; we went to the Montavilla Farmer’s Market, one of my classes and my friends’ Linda and Mike’s goat milk farm (Terra Farma) where I got the pleasure of bottle feeding a baby goat!

Hope you enjoy the film. Claudia

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Playing Around with Vegan Cheeses…

Posted on July 10, 2011 by in RECIPES

cultured nut cheese- NO dairy! not an Urban Cheesecraft recipe, you will be re-directed to Sunny Raw Kitchen

So many people in my classes have asked if I have a vegan cheese kit or know of any recipes that I’ve started playing around with some nut cheeses. Believe it or not, I have been vegan for a total of 9 months in the not too distant past. I did it in support of my partner who took it on for longer than I did. Anyway, because of that and because I love a challenge, I often make vegan dishes. Nut-based mac and cheese, flax-seed egg cookies and banana bread…very delicious results if you know how to convert. Here are some tips if you’re interested.

Pre-made, vegan store-bought cheeses however, were not something I enjoyed. Even on a vegan diet, I preferred no cheese to vegan cheese. They often tasted like oil and plastic (which is not far from the truth). Since then, I’ve had some homemade nut cheeses and cheese sauces that aren’t bad at all. Not quite cheese, true, but delicious treats on their own- and since I love food in general, they deserve a fair chance if you ask me.

If you love cheese but have to limit your dairy, give these a try. The salty, creamy and even pungent flavors could definitely satisfy a cheese craving and go well with dried or fresh fruit, herbs, crackers and crudite. I’ll keep playing around and who knows, maybe I’ll make a kit!

Cream Cheese Ball
Cheddar Cheese Ball
More challenging and more complex taste, Cultured Cheese.

Hope you enjoy playing too. Claudia

ps. Etsy has been out to Portland to film me twice. A short documentary about cheese and my venture is said to be ready in late July, stay tuned! The films are great, check some out HERE.

pps. Did you know I have a facebook page? Be UCCs friend won’t you?

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