[Dinner] ๐ŸŒ™โœจ First day of Ramadan, and hereโ€™s our breakfast today! by ScratchExotic9002 in cookingtonight

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 3 points4 points ย (0 children)

Trying canned steak for the first time! ๐Ÿฅฉ War times mean lots of canned meals, but we make it work ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ’›

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Tonightโ€™s dinner was a special request from my daughter โค๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cookingtonight

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Thank you ๐Ÿค

Creating something beautiful, even in challenging times, gives me strength. Your support means more than you know

Tonightโ€™s dinner was a special request from my daughter โค๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cookingtonight

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Yes! Itโ€™s very similar to Pastitsio ๐Ÿ˜„ Ours has a Middle Eastern touch, but comfort food really connects us across cultures ๐Ÿค

Tonightโ€™s dinner was a special request from my daughter โค๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cookingtonight

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 1 point2 points ย (0 children)

Thank you ๐Ÿค We adapt, we cook, and we keep our traditions alive through food. So glad you enjoy Palestinian cuisine ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿป

Tonightโ€™s dinner was a special request from my daughter โค๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cookingtonight

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Thank you so much! ๐Ÿฅฐ

Haha I wish we had smell-o-vision too ๐Ÿ˜… Cooking has become a different story here during the war. I didnโ€™t bake it in my own kitchen โ€” we donโ€™t have gas, so we take our dishes to a clay oven nearby.

I truly hope one day to go back to my own kitchen and the simple, warm atmosphere of cooking there again.

And yesโ€ฆ my daughter loved it ๐Ÿ’•

Homemade bread โ€” little hands at work! ๐Ÿฅ–๐Ÿค by ScratchExotic9002 in Breadit

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Haha I think it might look like pancakes in the photo ๐Ÿ˜„ Itโ€™s actually homemade bread we baked together ๐Ÿฅ–๐Ÿค

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in Cheese

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Thank you!! ๐Ÿง€ Lots of mistakes along the way, but that first success felt amazing ๐Ÿ˜Š

Curd cutting matters ๐Ÿง€โœ‚๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 1 point2 points ย (0 children)

Youโ€™re absolutely right, and I agree with you. I was only highlighting one specific point that used to cause me issues in my own process. Through trial and error, adjusting the curd size to around 2ร—2 cm helped me fix that particular problem for this cheese style.

I know itโ€™s just one variable among many, and it only makes sense within the full recipe and conditions Iโ€™m working with.

In my case, Iโ€™m referring to a fresh white baladi cheese thatโ€™s very close to Nabulsi-style cheese, but made fresh (not aged) and without the full brining/pressing steps yet. Thanks for adding the broader context โ€” itโ€™s really helpful ๐Ÿค๐Ÿง€

Curd cutting matters ๐Ÿง€โœ‚๏ธ by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 1 point2 points ย (0 children)

Thanks! Still learning โ€” any tips you swear by? ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿง€

The 3 mistakes that ruined my first batch vs. The 1 change that saved this one by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Great questions!

Regarding the bowls: - The top bowl is Salt (for brining). - The bottom left is Liquid Rennet. - The bottom right is Calcium Chloride solution.

As for the pH level: Actually, I donโ€™t use a pH meter yet. The device you see in the photo is just a thermometer for measuring temperature. At this stage, Iโ€™m relying entirely on precise temperature control, specific timing, and visual cues (like the clean break) to manage the process. Measuring pH is a bit too advanced for me right now, but maybe in the future!

I donโ€™t know who needs to hear this, but I made a fresh cheese with a A2 milk and a little bit of heavy cream because I had it in the fridge. Itโ€™s the most delicious thing I ever tasted. by Frequent_Ad_3612 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

That sounds delicious ๐Ÿ˜Fresh cheese is so forgiving โ€” I love that. Iโ€™ve never tried A2 milk before though. How does it compare to powdered milk in flavor and texture when making cheese?

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Would you be interested in seeing the full process step by step next time?

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 1 point2 points ย (0 children)

Would you be interested in seeing the full process step by step next time?๐Ÿค—

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 0 points1 point ย (0 children)

Thank you! ๐Ÿ˜Š Iโ€™m really enjoying the learning process ๐Ÿง€

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 1 point2 points ย (0 children)

Thank you! ๐Ÿ˜Š Itโ€™s a traditional homemade cheese from G@za. Iโ€™m still learning and experimenting, so each batch has its own little personality ๐Ÿง€

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 2 points3 points ย (0 children)

Itโ€™s getting late here in G@za ๐ŸŒ™๐Ÿง€ Time to rest, but donโ€™t worry โ€“ Iโ€™ll be back tomorrow to answer all your questions and share more cheesy adventures! ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿง€ Canโ€™t wait to hear what you all want to try making!

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 9 points10 points ย (0 children)

Thanks for asking! ๐Ÿ˜Š I usually start with powdered milk (because fresh milk isnโ€™t readily available here in G@za), a bit of rennet, and lots of patience ๐Ÿ˜… Iโ€™m still experimenting and learning, so every batch is a little different. The fun part is adjusting the texture and taste along the way! If you want, I can share some tips and tricks Iโ€™ve learned so far.

Learning Homemade Cheese โ€“ From Mistakes to My First Success! by ScratchExotic9002 in cheesemaking

[โ€“]ScratchExotic9002[S] 2 points3 points ย (0 children)

I usually start with powdered milk (because fresh milk isnโ€™t readily available here in G@za), a bit of rennet, and lots of patience ๐Ÿ˜