You might be shocked at what happens when you simply add lemon juice to boiling milk – it separates into soft, creamy curds that you can turn into homemade cheese in minutes! No preservatives, no additives, no mystery ingredients – just pure, fresh, natural cheese, made from two simple things you already have at home.
🧀 What You’re Making:
This quick recipe gives you a homemade paneer-style or ricotta-style cheese – soft, creamy, and perfect for spreading, crumbling over dishes, or cooking into savory meals.
🥄 Ingredients (Just 2!):
- 1 liter (4 cups) milk – full-fat works best
- 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice – fresh is ideal
🔥 How to Make It:
- Boil the milk: Pour milk into a pot and heat it gently, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a boil.
- Add lemon juice: Turn the heat down slightly and slowly stir in the lemon juice. You’ll see the milk curdle immediately, separating into curds and whey.
- Let it rest: Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5–10 minutes to fully separate.
- Strain: Pour through a clean cheesecloth or fine strainer to separate the curds from the liquid. (You can save the whey to use in soups, smoothies, or dough!)
- Cool and use: Once drained, your fresh cheese is ready! You can eat it warm, press it into a block, or refrigerate it for later.
🍽️ How to Use Your Homemade Cheese:
- Add herbs and salt for a savory spread
- Use it in place of feta or ricotta in recipes
- Add to salads, toast, or pasta
- Mix with honey or fruit for a light dessert
Final Thought
This 2-ingredient cheese is so easy, fresh, and satisfying, you’ll wonder why you ever bought it at the store. With just lemon and milk, you can make a delicious, natural product that’s versatile, budget-friendly, and full of homemade goodness. Try it once – and you might never go back to store-bought cheese again!
