Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Approx Time:
ONE HOUR per recipe
(not including draining and aging time)

Cheeses:
Mozzarella, Ricotta, Mascarpone,
Burrata, Bocconcini, and Ricotta Salata.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Perfect for
Beginners!
This kit has all the equipment
and ingredients to make fresh
Italian cheese in your kitchen.
All you need is some basic
kitchen utensils and fresh milk
and you will be well on your
way to hand crafting these
delicious cheeses at home.

www.madmillie.com

Watch our YouTube video if possible before starting.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words!
 Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Your Italian Cheese Kit

This kit includes all specialised ingredients RICOTTA BASKET

and equipment, unique to making Provides a mould to shape the ricotta and
Italian cheese. let the whey drain from the ricotta curds.
RICOTTA CONTAINER
YOUR KIT CONTAINS Provides a container in which to let the
ricotta drain, and to store the ricotta in.
. Small Ricotta Basket
. Small Ricotta Storage Container VEGETARIAN RENNET
. Vegetarian Rennet Tablets Rennet is used to speed up the process
. Thermometer of forming curds and whey. It also aids
. Citric Acid
in forming a tighter curd. The rennet
. supplied in this kit is Microbial Rennet
Cheese Salt
. and is suitable for vegetarians. Half
Cheese Cloth used rennet tablets must be stored in an
. Calcium Chloride air tight container or wrapped in cling
. Pipette film. Rennet tablets are shelf stable for
. Iodophor Steriliser approximately 3 years from manufacture
when stored at dry, ambient temperatures.
SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT AND
INGREDIENTS CHEESE SALT
Cheese salt is contains no iodine. Iodine
CHEESE CLOTH may disable your bacterial starter cultures
Cheese cloth is a special cloth which is and prevent them from working.
used to help separate the curds from the
CALCIUM CHLORIDE
whey. It is often used to line colanders
The pasteurisation and homogenisation
and cheese moulds to ensure that no
process which store bought milk must go
curds escape and are wasted.
through is responsible for lowering the
CITRIC ACID calcium content naturally present in milk.
This is used to acidify the milk and causes Adding calcium chloride helps to restore
the separation of the solids (curds) from the some of the lost calcium and helps ensure
liquid (whey). you get a good, strong curd and a higher
yield of cheese.

How to... Cheese cloth can be re-used. Soak your used cheese cloth
in warm water to rinse out any left over milk residue, then
CLEAN YOUR
CHEESE CLOTH sterilise by boiling for 5 minutes.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

PIPETTE IODOPHOR STERILISER

Used to measure small quantities of To sterilise all equipment which comes into
calcium chloride. contact with the milk. Refer to label for
THERMOMETER usage instructions.
The thermometer will ensure accurate
monitoring of the milk temperature.

How to... When measuring the temperature please ensure that

the two indentation points found on the lower half of
USE YOUR the thermometer probe are fully submerged in the liquid.
THERMOMETER If these points are not covered in the liquid, you will
not be able to obtain an accurate temperature reading.

Additional Kitchen
Equipment
GOOD QUALITY POT COLANDER
This should be large enough in order to hold Used for draining whey from curds. A
the amount of milk your recipe calls for. colander with feet works best so that
Pots used should be good quality, with a the curds are elevated and not sitting
good, thick base to prevent the milk from in the whey.
scalding or sticking to the bottom of the pot. LONG BLADE KNIFE
Used for cutting the curd.
DRAINING SPOON
A large serving spoon with holes for GENERAL MEASURING EQUIPMENT
stirring and spooning out curds into a Used to measure out milk, and small
mold or colander. quantities of citric acid.

Hygiene tip...
Sterilising all your equipment is vital with cheesemaking. Sterilise your
cheese cloth, pots, draining spoon and anything else that comes into
contact with the milk just before using. Wipe your bench surfaces with
an antibacterial cleaning product before getting started.
 Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Let’s get making some cheese!

Whole Milk Ricotta
Makes approx: 400g (14oz)

Traditionally, ricotta (Italian for re-cooked) is made from

the left over whey which is acidified and then “re-cooked”.
Ricotta is made of the milk solids which form at the top of the pot. However, this recipe
uses whole milk instead of whey. It is more convenient and has a higher yield than
ricotta from whey. This ricotta also melts nicely and can be used in lasagne, pasta, or
other Italian dishes. Very dry ricotta can be delicious crumbled over salads, while moist
ricotta can be used in many desserts such as cakes, cheesecakes, or Cannoli.

Find our how-to video

Difficulty: Very easy for this recipe

INGREDIENTS . Leave the ricotta to cool for

. 2L (1/2 US Gal.) full fat, homogenised milk 20 - 30 minutes.
. 1 tsp citric acid dissolved in 1/4 cup of . After 20 - 30 minutes the ricotta should
cool water be firm enough for you to scoop into
. 1 tsp of salt the draining basket. If it is still too soft,
leave to cool for another 30 minutes.
EQUIPMENT With a draining spoon, carefully layer
. Large pot the ricotta curds on top of each other in
. Draining spoon the ricotta basket. Leave the full basket
. Thermometer to drain in the ricotta container until the
. Ricotta basket and container desired consistency is obtained (can be
eaten either dry and crumbly or moist
METHOD: and creamy).
. Thoroughly sterilise all equipment with . Ricotta can be stored for up to a week in
the iodophor steriliser (see bottle the refrigerator.
instructions for use).
. Pour your milk into a pot and add the
salt to the milk.
. Heat milk to 95°C (203°F) while stirring
constantly. Once you have reached 95°C
(203°F) take the pot off the heat. Ensure
the two indentation points on the lower
half of your thermometer are fully
submerged in the milk when reading
the temperature.
. Stir in your citric acid solution.
. Ricotta should start to curdle immediately.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Ricotta Salata
Makes approx: 100g (3.5oz)

This variation of ricotta is a firm, dry salted cheese

originating in the hot, dry island climate of Sicily.
Originally it is made with sheep’s milk, however it can also be successfully
made with cow’s milk. Ricotta salata is usually aged for at least 1 month
and can be used in salads, pasta dishes and is also perfect for grating.

Difficulty: More difficult

INGREDIENTS
. Whole Milk Ricotta (previous recipe)
. 1/2 tsp of salt (for each day)
METHOD:
. Thoroughly sterilise all equipment
with the iodophor steriliser (see
bottle instructions for use).
. Press the ricotta into a sterilised
cheese mould or ricotta basket with
a glass of water on top for 1 hour.
. Take the ricotta out of the mould,
turn over and press again for
12 hours.
. Take the ricotta out of the mould
and place onto a rack. Lightly rub
the surface with salt everyday for
1 week. Keep in a separate draw in
the refrigerator.
. Age the cheese for 2 - 4 weeks in
a refrigerator (at 4 - 7°C or 39 - 45°F).
. If any mould appears in this time,
simply rub it off with a clean
cloth dampened with salt water.
 Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Mozzarella
Mozzarella Making Steps

& Bocconcini 1
Pour milk into a
pot and heat up
We highly recommended you to the instructed
view this video on YouTube temperature.
before you begin.

Makes approx: 600g (1.3lb) Add diluted citric

2 acid and rennet to
the milk.
True Italian mozzarella is made from water
buffalo milk, however there are now many
varieties made from cow’s milk. Mozzarella Allow milk to set
is not aged like most cheeses and tastes best 3 into a gel like
when freshly made. The curds are cut up and consistency before
cutting the curd
heated in very hot water and then stretched. into cubes.
Bocconcini are simply smaller balls of
mozzarella which are perfect for salads Drain curds by
or as part of an appetiser. 4 scooping them
into a cheese
cloth lined
colander.
Difficulty: More difficult
Place a handful
INGREDIENTS 5 of curds into hot
water to gently
. 4L (1 US Gal) full fat unhomogenised milk melt before
. 2 ml calcium chloride. Measure using stretching the curds
with your hands.
your pipette. Once you have a
. 2 tsp of citric acid dissolved in 1/4 cup smooth, elastic
texture, form these
of cool water into a smooth ball.
. 1 tablet of rennet dissolved in 1/4 cup of
Place the fresh balls
cold, non chlorinated water, or cooled 6 of mozzarella into ice
boiled water. filled cold water for 10
Note: Rennet will not dissolve fully. Stir just before minutes before eating.
adding to the milk.
. Salt to taste
Enjoy!
. 5 - 10 ice cubes
Note - if halving the recipe use the same amount of TIP...
rennet for a 2L (1/2 US Gal) batch as you would for a If you are having trouble getting your
mozzarella to set, and/or the curds to come
4L (1 US Gal) batch.
together and stretch, double the rennet stated
EQUIPMENT in your recipe. Doubling the rennet reduces
. Large pot . Large knife the chance of your mozzarella failing to stretch
. Draining spoon . Rubber gloves caused by inconsistencies found in some
. Thermometer . 2 large bowls batches of milk. Also, remember to always add
. Cheese cloth . Colander calcium chloride to the milk before you begin
and ensure you are using a measured teaspoon
to measure out your citric acid.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

METHOD: water) and another of 70°C (158°F)

non-salted water.
STEP 1:
INOCULATING THE MILK STEP 4:
STRETCHING
. Thoroughly sterilise all equipment
with the iodophor steriliser (see bottle . Take a handful of mozzarella curd and
instructions for use). place onto your draining spoon. Lower
. Pour milk into a pot and add calcium the draining spoon and curds into the
chloride to the chilled milk. Then stir boiling water and leave there for approx
in diluted citric acid. 20 seconds or until the curds appear
. Heat the milk on the stove to 32°C slightly melted.
(89°F) while constantly stirring to . Now, carefully stretch the piece of curd
prevent scalding the bottom. Ensure the until it is smooth and flexible. Caution:
two indentation points on the lower half the curd will be hot so it is advisable to
of your thermometer are fully wear rubber gloves. If the curd does not
submerged in the milk when reading stretch easily, place back into the bowl
the temperature. of hot water for more heating before
. Once temperature is at 32°C (89°F), stretching and moulding into a
remove the pot from the heat and stir round ball.
in the diluted rennet. Note: Don’t roll the mozzarella, carefully mould
. Cover the pot and leave to set for it into a ball, while trying to retain as much
25 - 30 minutes. moisture in the cheese as possible. The YouTube
video helps to show how this is done. If it is still
STEP 2: not stretching well, increase the heat of your
CUTTING THE CURD water. The curd should look like it is melting on
the spoon.
. Check the curd by making a small cut . Once mozzarella has been moulded into
with a knife. It should make a clean a nice round ball, plunge it into the ice
cut with a clear division between cold salt water bowl (this ensures
the curds and whey. If ready, cut the an even texture while cooling).
curd with a knife into 3cm (1 inch) cubes. . Continue with the rest of the
mozzarella curd.
STEP 3: . Mozzarella is ready to eat after it has
HEATING AND DRAINING
spent 10 minutes in the ice cold
. Place the pot back on the stove and salt water. Add extra salt directly
slowly heat curds to 42°C (108°F), while to the mozzarella according to
gently stirring. The curds should become taste preferences.
firmer and springy to touch. When this
happens, transfer them to a cheese cloth Storing


lined colander to drain (make sure you
save the whey if you wish to store your
instructions...
mozzarella for a few days after making). You can store your mozzarella in the
Do not heat past 42°C (108°F). fridge in a solution of 2 cups of left
. Leave to drain for 5 minutes. In this time over whey with 1/8 tsp of citric acid.
prepare a bowl of salted ice water You can also freeze or refrigerate
(approx 200 - 300g (9oz) salt to 2L (2qt) of in an airtight container.
 Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Burrata
METHOD:

Filling
. Mix together 250g (8.8oz) of finely
Burrata in Italian means buttered, which broken, well drained curds, the cream
perfectly describes this variation of and salt until you have a thick wet filling
mozzarella, consisting of a mozzarella outer resembling ricotta.
shell filled with a gooey creamy centre.
This indulgent cheese can be filled with To make the Burrata
either a savoury or sweet filling. . Stretch the mozzarella curds as per the
mozzarella recipe until your curd is
smooth and glossy.
Difficulty: More difficult . Instead of forming a mozzarella ball,
stretch the curd out into a flat sheet and
INGREDIENTS spoon the desired amount of burrata
. Mozzarella curds from 4L (1 US. Gal) filling into the centre of the sheet.
of milk (at the draining stage) . To finish, gently pull the edges of the
. ½ tsp salt stretchy sheet upwards and pinch a knot
. 2 Tbsp cream (at least 40% fat) at the top.
. Salt to taste NOTE: It’s important to work quickly so the curd
is still hot enough to seal effectively around the
. 5 – 10 ice cubes. burrata filling.
. Gently place the burrata into the salted
EQUIPMENT ice water as per the mozzarella recipe.
. Draining spoon
. Thermometer The burrata can be filled with a whole
. Rubber gloves host of different combinations and flavours
. 2 Large bowls both sweet and savoury. Try filling your
burrata with your Mad Millie mascarpone
and ricotta.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Mascarpone METHOD:
. Thoroughly sterilise all equipment
with the iodophor steriliser (see
bottle instructions for use).
. Pour cream into the pot and slowly
heat on stove until it reaches 85°C
(185°F). Ensure the two indentation points
on the lower half of your thermometer are
fully submerged in the milk when
reading the temperature.
Makes approx: 700g (1.5lb) . Add the citric acid solution.
. Keep the cream at 85°C (185°F) for 5
minutes longer by putting the lid on the
Mascarpone is a deliciously rich Italian
pot and turning off the heat. Leave the
triple cream cheese. It is often used in
pot on the stove to keep warm. If you
desserts such as Tiramisu or Cannoli.
find that heat is not being retained at
It can be incredibly expensive to buy
85°C (185°F) then turn the stove on to a
and is very easy to make!
low heat while stirring constantly.
. Take off the stove and leave to cool for
Difficulty: Very easy a few hours, or overnight.
. Pour the cream into a cheese cloth
INGREDIENTS lined colander. Leave on your kitchen
. 1L (1 quart) of cream (at least bench to drain until it has reached
your desired thickness (mascarpone
40% fat) is traditionally served at the thickness
. 1/2 tsp of citric acid dissolved
of greek yoghurt, but be aware,
in 2 Tbsp of cool water mascarpone will thicken even more
once put in the fridge so you may want
EQUIPMENT to drain until slightly runnier than what
. Small pot you desire).
. Colander . Mascarpone can be stored in an airtight
. Cheese cloth container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
. Draining spoon
. Measuring teaspoons
. Thermometer
 Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

Tiramisu
INGREDIENTS METHOD:
. Mad Millie Mascarpone made from . Make the Mad Millie mascarpone
2L (1/2 US. Gal) of cream as per the recipe.
. Lady fingers (about 1/2 a packet) . In a bowl add coffee liqueur, hot coffee
. 1/4 cup castor sugar
. 1/4 cup coffee liqueur and 1/4 cup sugar and set aside in fridge
. 1/4 cup espresso coffee to cool.
. Cocoa to sprinkle . Once cold, add coffee liqueur.
. Dip sponge fingers into coffee mixture
then layer into a long rectangle dish or
individual cocktail glasses.
. Spoon over mascarpone mixture.
Repeat layers until you reach the rim
of the glass or dish.
. Sprinkle with cocoa and place in the
fridge to set until ready to serve.

Italian Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS METHOD:
. 500g (18 oz) of pasta shells . In a large pot bring salted water to the
. 1 diced red onion boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente
. 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes (soft yet firm to the bite). Drain and rinse
. 150g (5 oz) of kalamata pitted olives with cold water.
. 200g (7 oz) of marinated . In a small bowl combine vinegar, olive
artichoke hearts oil, lemon juice and crushed garlic,
. 4 capsicums sliced and roasted mix, then stir through pasta.
. A bunch of fresh basil leaves . Add remainder of ingredients except
. 3 Tbsp of olive oil
. 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar mozzarella and fresh basil leaves.
. 2 Tbsp of white wine vinegar Combine well.
. 1 clove of garlic crushed . Serve pasta salad in a large bowl and
. Juice and zest of 1 lemon finish off with sliced mozzarella and lots
. 200g (7 oz) of fresh, sliced of fresh basil leaves, cracked pepper
Mad Millie mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Italian Cheese Kit Instructions

CHECK US OUT ON

Mad Millie kits and equipment are designed to make it fast and simple
for you to create beautiful, artisan food in your own home.
For more kits and consumables, along with some helpful
Re order: 73857

tips and how-to videos, visit

www.madmillie.com
Version: 1
UK_NZ