Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

Giveaway: Cheese-Making Kit

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 69 Comments

Last updated on August 2nd, 2012

IT WAS RICKI CARROLL’S CHEESE-MAKING KIT that introduced me to the wonders of homemade mozzarella and ricotta. Because I’d like your taste buds to do a happy dance, too, I’ve purchased an extra cheese-making kit to give away. Who wants to win it in a random drawing?

If you only know tasteless, rubbery mozzarella, and bland, gummy ricotta from the supermarket, get ready for a colossal treat. I can tell you from my own experience that these two cheeses, when made from scratch, offer incredible flavor and texture. Try making them once, and I suspect you’ll never buy their commercial counterparts again.

The kit I’m giving away contains enough rennet and citric acid to make 30 batches of cheese. It also contains a thermometer, and a large piece of butter-muslin. Butter muslin is used for draining the whey from ricotta.

To enter this random drawing, you must do these 3 simple things:

First, subscribe — if you haven’t already — to my weekly email newsletter.

Next, leave a comment below. Say something about cooking, cheese-making, or gardening. Or, just say “hello.” Be sure to include at least part of your email address at the end of your comment, so that I can easily verify that you’ve subscribed to my newsletter.

Finally, join A Garden for the House on either Facebook or Twitter (or both).

Enter soon! This random drawing expires at 11:59PM on Friday, April 15, 2011. I’ll announce the winner at the end of the comments; he or she will also be contacted by email.

As always, I’ll use the gadget at Random.org to select a winner. Only one comment per person will be counted.

Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.

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Homemade Ricotta is Easy!
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Comments

  2. 2

    _rebeccaweaver says

    My husband makes panir (fresh, non-rennet cheese) regularly, and it's delicious and versatile; like tofu, only creamy and more flavorful. He's also a huge fan of fresh mozzerella, but rennet is hard to find, even at our awesome grocery co-op. (_rebeccaweaver)

  3. 3

    Corry says

    I didn't even know they made such things! I am SUCH a cheese lover! Thanks for the awesome give-away!

    I'm already subscribed to your email newsletters (It's one of the few I actually READ!), and I already follow you on Facebook!

    My email is core17 at gmail

  4. 4

    Paula Costa says

    How wonderful of you! Thank you. These days anything grown from your gardens or homemade is so economical and much better for you. : )

  5. 5

    Bonnie says

    I've been watching your posts on the cheese making and I am going to try it. I haven't searched yet for the ingredients to make it with, so winning your giveaway would give me the push I need. My vegetarian daughter would love this homemade cheese, we just have to find the time to make it now that garden cleanup season is here.
    I do subscribe to your newsletter and follow you on facebook! bperfetti@

  6. 6

    Vicki says

    With basil growing season coming upon us, I can't wait to serve fresh basil with homegrown tomatoes and HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA! Thanks for giving us this idea, Kevin!

  8. 8

    kakihara says

    email subscriber
    and following on facebook as Darcy Bishop
    We love cheese–our dream is to have a little farm and raise goats and make our own cheese. I would love to have the kit so I can start practicing making my own cheese.
    [email protected]

  9. 9

    Anonymous says

    I am subscribed to your newsletter and I want to win this kit: I'm a food historian in training and this would help me complete my education with hands on experience.
    [email protected]

  11. 11

    LilyBiscuit says

    Hi~
    I married into an Italian family….mozzarella & ricotta cheeses are important in the recipes I want to make for them for Easter. I'm an email subscriber and like you on Facebook too. Thanks!
    vac924 at gmail dot com

  12. 12

    Michelle says

    Love your blog! Thank you for the cheese kit giveaway…love both of these cheeses but have never tried them so fresh =)
    Michelle M everestkc.net

  13. 13

    Anonymous says

    You inspire me, Kevin. I absolutely love your blog. Do you know of any that deal with just house plants? I would love to follow that one, as well. In fact, I have not seen a list of blogs that YOU follow, and I would so enjoy that. Take care, blessings, and send Seattle some sun! Robin (doctora)

  15. 15

    cpage2323 says

    I have been enjoying your tales of cheesemaking. I find it difficult to procure rennet so would love to win this. I have made mozzarella, cream cheese, feta and chevre before but currently have no real income so this would be grand to have some rennet and starter. I have a friend who has goats so I would love to be able to make some more feta! My kids love it!
    trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

  17. 17

    Anonymous says

    Kevin,
    I love keeping up with the progress of your garden–it inspires me to work in mine.
    Louise
    [email protected]
    I subscribe to your newsletter and follow you on FB and Twitter.

  18. 18

    Jed Swift says

    Kevin

    That cheese looks so yummy! Good for you for making your own and for thinking of this give away idea.

    Best, Jed

  19. 19

    markcotrupe says

    Thank you for posting this originally. I have become very inspired to make mozzarella cheese. I am from an Italian family and miss the “good stuff” we used to have when I was young. My wife and I have purchased ingredients and are anxious to get started. I'm sure I'll never buy commercial again.

  22. 22

    sksweeps says

    I'm definitely signed up for your emails/newsletter and loving all the great content – recipes and flowers and advice! This cheesemaking kit would be beyond awesome! Thanks!

    sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

  23. 23

    dona says

    I'm already signed up and I just like reading new things you do at your home. I just double dug just one part of my garden…. it took 5 hours to do 4' X 10'! whew!

  24. 24

    MaryU says

    Yum! Anything homemade is always better 🙂 cheese making would be a fun new foray.

  26. 26

    Anonymous says

    I would love to try my hand at making homemade cheese. Thank you for the giveaway. I am an email subscriber and liked you on facebook. pvbugg at embarqmail dot com.

  27. 27

    Katreader says

    I adore cheese-all kids; although I don't care for the blue family. I'd love to become more self sufficient, and making cheese just sounds fun. However, I think only by winning this gift would I have the impetus to become a cheesemaker. There's just not enough time in the day. Oh to be independently wealthy! Thanks for the opportunity to win-you really are too kind! (You know I follow you everywhere-it's me-Katreader-Kathy[Kathleen]).

  28. 28

    Sonja says

    When I read your first article about making mozzarella it made my mouth water! I would love to make homemade cheeses! I've been a fan on FB for a while and already subscribe to your weekly email.
    loosefaith@

  30. 30

    Christina says

    Wow, I just discovered this blog and can't WAIT to try making cheese, winter growing, and redesigning the garden. Thanks Kevin, you are absolutely an inspiration.

  32. 32

    anneschomaker says

    I've been waiting for this event as I so love ricotta and mozzarella! I've planted lots of cold weather plants in my garden already and can hardly wait for warm air to get things going. Oh for the first harvest.

  33. 33

    Laura says

    Im a subscriber to your newsletter and follow on Twitter as Bookloon. I have never tried making my own cheese but I do love cheese. I can only imagine what fresh made cheese taste like.

    [email protected]

  36. 36

    Anonymous says

    I am a fellow cheese-lover! My favorite types are Piave, Robusta, Cheddar, and American. The delicious blends of hard and soft cheeses is truly a sensation I will not forget any time soon. I would be honored to receive a cheese-making kit, where I would be able to enjoy the tantalizing flavors of different cheeses with my friends. Additionally, I love going to Melting Pot, where they provide an urban mix of different complimentary cheeses!

    -qap52

  40. 40

    calvad says

    I am an email subscriber and twitter follower(@calvadeana). I think it would be pretty cool to make my own cheese. calvad at aol dot com

  41. 41

    Deborah says

    I've always been interested in cheesemaking! I know that freshly-made cheese must be so much better than store bought. I subscribed to your newsletter. asthenight at gmail dot com

  45. 45

    Lean says

    I follow on twitter (@LeanS12), am signed up with your newsletter and I really like cheese. My favorite kind is feta. LeanS12(at)gmail(dot)com

  46. 46

    Paula says

    I am curious if anyone has made mozzarella with raw milk? Would love to try it, as I love our locally supplied, skim, raw milk. Sign me up! @hunterpaula

  47. 47

    Kim says

    I enjoy your blog, and even if I don't win the cheese maker, I've won a wealth of gardening inspiration thanks klawjlaw

  48. 48

    JudyZ says

    I am subscribed to your newsletter and I'm a twitter follower @potlicker26
    I've made ricotta but I would like to try making mozzarella

  55. 55

    Gianna says

    I love fresh cheese and have always wanted to know how to make my own. I still remember when I was younger in Italy how good the fresh mozzarella tasted. I've always wanted to duplicate that flavor here.

    My email is in my profile 🙂

  56. 56

    Arianne377 says

    I anticipate each and every Garden for the House email. You are my kind of gardener – just as passionate. I also relish your Facebook posts about your home, another weakness of mine.
    Oh, life's simple pleasures.
    [email protected]

  57. 57

    D Koucky says

    Wow, making your own chese sounds really fun. How messy is it?

    dkoucky @ gmail.com

  59. 59

    BarbR7 says

    Thank you for these wonderful posts on cheese-making. Win kit or not, I'm going to make some cheese. I plan to try to make burrata as I am making my mozzarella. I love all your posts – cooking, gardening, living with an older home. I follow you by email and on FB.

    [email protected]

  66. 66

    EmmaPeel says

    I did all the requirements, twitter id Emma__Peel.
    I love to garden tomatoes, onions and parsley my favorite things for a salad.

    emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

  67. 67

    Jinxy and Me says

    I just subscribed. I would love to make cheese with local milk. That is fairly reasonably priced, but local cheese is expensive!!!

    nesta 67 {at} live dot com

  68. 68

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    Thanks for playing, everyone! If I could, I'd buy all of you a cheese-making kit!

    Random.org selected comment #10. Congratulations, LilyBiscuit! I'll contact you by email.

  69. 69

    Ricki Carroll says

    We couldn't help but notice your delicious cheese making adventures! We love seeing people spread the joy of home cheesemaking. It looks like you had a wonderful giveaway recently. If you’re ever interested in another cheese themed giveaway we would be more then happy to offer a donation. Please don't hesitate to send us an email or give us a call. The Cheese Queen and Crew

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