Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsHeronsArtisan Cheese Recipe

Artisan Cheese Recipe

Inspired by Herons
Time3h
Serves8

Make Artisan Cheese Recipe in just 3h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Milk

Rennet & Salt

Herbs and Spices (optional)

Method

Preparing the Milk

  1. 1

    Heat the milk

    In a large pot, pour the whole milk and heat it over medium heat. Stir occasionally until it reaches a temperature of 85°F (29°C).

  2. 2

    Add buttermilk

    Remove the pot from heat and gently stir in the buttermilk. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes.

Coagulation

  1. 3

    Add rennet

    Dilute the rennet in a small amount of cool, non-chlorinated water. Stir it into the milk mixture for about 30 seconds, then cover the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 30-45 minutes until a gel-like consistency forms.

  2. 4

    Cut the curds

    Once the curds have formed, use a long knife to cut them into 1-inch cubes. Let them sit for another 5-10 minutes.

Cooking the Curds

  1. 5

    Heat the curds

    Gently heat the curds over low heat, stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes until they reach a temperature of 105°F (40°C).

  2. 6

    Drain the curds

    Line a colander with cheesecloth and pour the curds into it. Allow the whey to drain for about 5-10 minutes.

  3. 7

    Add salt

    Sprinkle the kosher salt over the curds and mix gently to incorporate.

Molding the Cheese

  1. 8

    Shape the cheese

    Transfer the curds into a cheese mold or form them into a ball by hand. Press down gently to remove excess whey.

  2. 9

    Press the cheese

    Cover the cheese with cheesecloth, place a weight on top, and let it sit for 1-2 hours at room temperature.

Aging (optional)

  1. 10

    Age the cheese

    For a firmer texture, place the cheese in a cool, humid environment for aging. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the desired flavor profile.

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