Creole Cream Cheese Recipes

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until fluffy and pale yellow. In a saucepot, combine half-and-half and cream. Bring to a simmer, but do not boil. Remove from heat. Stirring constantly, slowly blend cream mixture, 1 ladle at a time, into the egg mixture. Stirring will ensure that the eggs will not scramble. Add vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Strain through a fine sieve and chill overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours. When ready to use, whisk Creole cream cheese into the custard mixture until all lumps are removed. Pour into a home-style ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. Place ice cream in the freezer for 2 hours prior to serving.

Steps:

• Pour milk into a completely sanitized, 3 to 4 quart container, preferably stainless steel. Cover milk and place it in the warmest spot in your kitchen or on top of a warmed clothes dryer, until it reaches a temperature level between 70 - 80 degrees F. The milk may be heated slowly on the stove on very low heat, but do not allow its temperature exceed 80 degrees F.
• When milk reaches the correct temperature, pour the buttermilk into a small bowl and add the liquid rennet, or if you are using dry rennet, dissolve the 1/4 tablet in the buttermilk. Pour buttermilk into warmed milk with skim milk. Stir mixture well and set it aside, covered with cheesecloth, to allow the liquid to form solid, but very soft, curds. Good drainage is necessary. The container should not be placed near heat or directly exposed to an airflow. The cheese should form curds in 24 to 36 hours. Avoid stirring or the curds will break.
• When the curds are formed, line a large strainer or colander with cheesecloth and carefully pour the curds into the cloth. Place the strainer or colander over a bowl to hold the watery whey as it drains from the curds. When the curds no longer drip water, the cream cheese is ready to be chilled in the refrigerator. Keeps refrigerated for about 2 weeks.

Steps:

• Combine the Cream, Milk, Sugar, and Vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Heat until the mixture just starts to boil, remove from the heat.
• Put the egg yolks in a large mixing bowl, then temper the yolks with a little of the milk mixture.
• Combine the two mixtures. then return them to the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Cook the custard until it coats the back of a wooden spoon, 2-4 minutes, DO NOT BOIL.
• Strain into a mixing bowl and refrigerate until chilled, at least a few hours (you want it very cold before it enters the ice cream machine).
• Meanwhile, combine the Creole Cream Cheese and Sour Cream then put them through a fine mesh sieve, mashing them through with the back of a wooden spoon.
• When the custard is cold, fold in the Creole Cream Cheese and Sour Cream.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• For a soft ice cream serve as is or freeze overnight for a firmer ice cream.
• Beautiful with fresh fruit sauce of your choosing.

Steps:

• Dissolve the rennet tablets in 1/2 cup warm (NOT HOT) water; stir until dissolved.
• In a large glass or stainless steel bowl, combine the skim milk, buttermilk and rennet mixture; Stir.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
• Let stand at room temperature for 24 to 36 hours or until the mixture separates into curds and whey.
• The large white curds will sink to the bottom of the container while the watery, whey rises to the top.
• Line a colander with 2 slightly dampened layers of cheesecloth, letting 2 inches hang over the edge of the colander.
• Place the colander over a large bowl. Slowly pour in the curds and whey. The whey will drain off; discard it or, if you are feeling ambitious, you can use it to make ricotta or as a substitute for water or milk when you are baking.
• Leave the curds, covered and refrigerated, to continue draining and solidifying for another 24 hours or so before using.
• Fresh homemade cream cheese lasts about 1 week in the refrigerator.
• ~NOTE~ Central Market and Whole Foods both carry tablets of rennet, an enzyme that makes milk coagulate.