Homemade Raw Milk Ricotta Cheese – The Cheesiest New Year’s Resolution

Written by Jacquelyn of Little Owl Crunchy Momma

I was at a conference towards the end of December and the speaker asked the audience, “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term New Year’s Resolution“? An audience member raised there hand and said, “Hypocrites.”

Yikes.

That sounded a little harsh – dontcha think?

I guess I can understand it, though. Often the New Year’s Resolutions we hear about are those that are unattainable for most people; losing twenty pounds, saving money, quitting smoking, etc. Not that people can’t do these things. It’s just really hard. And often we fail.

So starting last year, I decided to look at New Year’s Resolutions differently. Not as a chance to start over or to become a new me, instead, to look at the New Year as a time to create for myself an attainable challenge.

The New Year gives me a whole year to figure out how to add a new skill, habit, or lifestyle choice on top of the good habits I have already established. I’m not starting over. I’m simply adding something new.

My Resolutions for 2012 were

• to make and consume homemade broth and soup on a regular basis, and
• to make and eat fermented vegetables regularly, such as carrot sticks and sauerkraut.

Results from 2012 – Success.

For 2013, I have the cheesiest New Year’s Resolution. Yes, I am determined to learn to make my own cheese.

Starting with soft cheeses like ricotta and working my way to hard cheeses like cheddar or gouda. But wait, there is a catch. I want to make them all from raw milk. If you want to follow along on my journey this year please join me at LittleOwlCrunchyMomma or “like” my Facebook page.

So, to start off the year I am happy to be sharing with you my recipe for homemade raw milk ricotta cheese.

It’s easy and delicious and has only two ingredients!

Ricotta is a wonderful cheese. It has a mild flavor which allows it to be used for many recipes. It can add a nice touch to a savory dish like lasagna, or it can be used to make scrumptious desserts. Breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner –you can use ricotta anytime. My favorite way so far to enjoy homemade ricotta cheese is on our soaked whole wheat crepes with pear butter. Mmmmm!

I hope that you will join me over at LittleOwlCrunchyMomma on my cheese-making adventures this year! I’ll be sure to share lots of good recipes and, I’m sure, a few epic flops along the way!

Do you have any resolutions you are excited about this year?