Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsBocado Tapas Wine BarMoody Blue Cheese Recipe

Moody Blue Cheese Recipe

Time4h
Serves8

cow’s milk, lightly smoked, Wisconsin

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Heat the Milk

    In a large stainless steel pot, pour 4 cups of cow's milk and heat it gently over low-medium heat until it reaches 85°F (29°C). Stir the milk occasionally to prevent scorching.

  2. 2

    Add Culture

    Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of blue cheese culture over the surface of the milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring to allow the culture to rehydrate.

  3. 3

    Add Rennet

    Dissolve 1 teaspoon of rennet in a small amount of cool, non-chlorinated water. Add this mixture to the warm milk while gently stirring for about 30 seconds. Stop stirring and let the milk sit undisturbed for 30-45 minutes until it sets and forms a gel-like consistency.

Cutting and Cooking Curds

  1. 4

    Cut the Curds

    Using a long knife, cut the curds into 1-inch cubes. Allow the curds to rest for 5 minutes.

  2. 5

    Cook the Curds

    Gently heat the curds to 100°F (38°C) while stirring occasionally. This should take about 30 minutes. Once the curds have reached temperature, continue stirring for an additional 10 minutes.

Draining and Smoking

  1. 6

    Drain the Curds

    Line a cheese mold with butter muslin or fine cheesecloth. Pour the curds into the mold and let them drain for about 30 minutes.

  2. 7

    Add Salt and Liquid Smoke

    Once drained, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke over the curds. Gently fold the curds to incorporate the salt and smoke.

  3. 8

    Mold the Cheese

    Press the curds into the mold. Apply weight on top to help the cheese form and to expel any remaining whey. Let it sit for 12-24 hours.

Aging

  1. 9

    Remove and Store

    After pressing, remove the cheese from the mold and place it on a cheese mat. Allow it to age in a cool, humid environment (ideally around 50°F or 10°C) for 2-4 weeks.

  2. 10

    Flip and Care

    Flip the cheese every few days and monitor for mold growth. If desired, you can encourage blue mold development by piercing the cheese with a skewer or knife.

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