Sep 23 - making mozz

I had another go at making mozzarella, with somewhat better results.  I used more rennet - much more rennet - and the curds and whey immediately separated, not producing the tofu-like set that I was looking for.  However, after I drained that and worked it, I did get a ball.

The ball kind-of settled into a patty, looking like a burger.  It doesn't have a lot of flavor, as I really cut back on the salt (the version the day before was too salty).  I probably needed to work it some more -- stretching -- to get a better texture, and if I let it cool floating in whey it will stay as a ball.  Apparently if you let it cool in water, it turns out more rubbery.

We're getting there !

I did use some of the mozz from the day before to mix up an appetizer, adding some of the Patak's Indian Lime Pickle, kind of using it like cream cheese. 

I have to play around with the amount of rennet.  The first batch had 1/2 tablet to 4 liters; this batch had 1 tablet to 1.33 liters; yes, that's quite a difference.  Perhaps 1 tablet to 4 liters would have done the job but I wanted to only use one of the 3 bags that Ontario milk comes in (4 liters in 3 bags).   

I had a flat tire again in the workroom but this time it was right by the valve, not the same place as before.  It might be the lightweight tubes that I'm using.  I don't know if it's flat now that it's been sitting overnight.

It has finally cooled down.  I'll be putting a fire on soon.  39F outside / 69F inside.

Late in the day Sandy and I took the 4 wheeler over to see what was happening at the end of the road.  There's a massive amount of heavy equipment working -- a hoe, two or three huge front-end loaders and a bulldozer.  They are moving the blasted rock to the new driveway, building the it several feet up from the valley floor.  This rivals construction on Highway 69 ... well, not really, but it's really something.  I could hear them working all day even from here.

Stan and Matt are in; nobody else down that way.  Heading towards the ESS Narrows, I don't think that there's anyone in between us and Art.  We do see the occasional boat heading up the lake; hunters are prepping for Moose and Deer.  The usual camp is setup along 522, tent, RV, solar panels, pickup trucks.  That group grabs its spot early.

Yesterday marked five years since Jeffrey called me to say that Alexander had stopped breathing.  I can still hear his voice ringing in my head.  I guess that it won't go away.  Some memories you'd like to shake.

I'll try and get out on the bike today for a ride.  I had planned on doing that yesterday but it was quite windy, so I busied myself around here.  I should really get working at close-up stuff, like wrapping the gazebo.  Other than packing, that's probably the major closeup item; that and moving the docks.  We leave for Florida two weeks from Monday.

Onward !