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 kit to give away. Who’d like to win this useful item 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. I use butter muslin for straining a number of cheeses, including the Greek-style yogurt I make almost every week.
For a chance to win the kit, do these two simple things:
1. Subscribe — if you haven’t already — to my weekly email newsletter.
2. In the comments field below, tell me if you’ve ever tasted homemade cheese. Or, tell me how your tomatoes are coming along. Feeling shy? Just say “hello.”
I’d be ever so grateful if you clicked the “like” button, too.
The drawing expires on Friday, August 10, 2012, at 11:59PM EST. As always, I’ll use the little number-gadget at Random. org to select a winner. The winner will be notified by email.
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.
Related Posts:
Homemade Mozzarella in 30 Minutes
Homemade Cottage Cheese
Heavenly, No-Cook Cream Cheese
anni says
I have never tasted home-made cheese of any kind. Sounds good tho–
Diana K says
I have made ricotta before and I loved it. I would love to make my own mozzarella!
Diane L says
I have never taste homemade mozzarella. This is on my to do list. I also want my taste buds to do a happy dance, like yours!
jacki Milbank says
Never tasted homemade mozzerella or ricota. I’ve been talking about vegan cheese today with friends and the fact that palm oil is used which is detriment to the planet. Always problems in trying to do the right thing.
Denise Hayes says
I’ve always wanted to make cheese and even saved a recipe from Mother Earth News but just have never gotten to it. So, no, I’ve never tasted fresh mozza, or fresh any cheese before but I hear it’s divine.
Linda Totten says
I have never tasted homemade, but I am eager to try. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Patsy says
I’ve never tasted home made cheese before! Can’t wait to try it —
Angela says
I’ve never had home-made cheese before either . A co-worker receivedd a cheese maker for Mother’s Day, I’m still waiting for her to use it so I can taste some.
Linda says
Cheesemaking has been on the list of things to do for a while now, this looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa Adinolfe says
I have made yogurt before, but never cheese. My hubby makes the best pizza that I’ve ever tasted and fresh mozzarella would take it to a new level! Love your website, so many great gardening tips and recipes! I share them on pinterest and yours recieve the most pins!
KaeleyAnne says
Ooh, I’d love to win this kit. Making cheese is on my list of things that I must learn how to do in the near future.
Dawn says
Yes have tasted-but only because I bought it at the local farmer’s market. I always have wanted to try making cheese-especially mozzarella since it is tomato season. Caprese!!
Kirstie says
Hi Kevin!
Here is my tomato report…..
Of 17 varieties planted, I have been able to sample 4…..
Sun Gold- Blahhhhh- too tart for a cherry tomato but love the orange/ gold color
Yellow Pear tomatoes- yummy! Very sweet, firm skin and great yellow color
Sibirisky- Delicious! Worried that an early tomato might lack flavor but this one was tasty!
Sweet and Bright- Nice tomato- nothing that really stands out- would be nice for salad but a bit small for a slicer
I am patiently awaiting the Oregon Spring which should be ready in the next day or two. And maybe another week or so for the San Marzanos and Romas plus all the other slicers in the mix!
(Yes I will be canning this year!)
Melinda S says
I live in Wisconsin, so I think much of our cheese is very close to being homemade! I have never made any myself, though, and would love to!
Sara says
Love home made cheeses…. Mozzarella is my fav! I have never made my own though. This would be a treat.
Kim says
Hi ya! So I’ve started making yogurt and it’s wonderful. Haven’t attempted cheese yet but sooooo want to try. This would be really helpful and a great birthday present :). Love reading about your adventures!
Cathy says
Just made one of my faves-tomato basil pasta-for dinner last night. It calls for mozzarella. What I’d give to make it with my own homemade mozz!!
Lise says
Hi Kevin, I already subscribe to your wonderful newsletter and have steered others your way! I also, have never knowingly eaten homemade cheese before, maybe in a foreign country, perhaps…so, this would be fun and a huge treat to experience! I have the homegrown tomatoes just waiting for it!
Jackie says
Have never had home made cheese – have always wanted to try making it tho!
Jackie
Kate P says
I have tried to make homemade mozzarella, but I am very inconsistent with each batch. One is lovely and the next, not so much. I have not, however, tried fresh ricotta, other than trying to make it with the whey that is leftover from fresh mozzarella. I would love to try fresh ricotta from our raw milk to have with our heirloom tomatoes and basil! Last year, I planted heirloom tomatoes and this year, I tried to start a few from seed, but didn’t get them in the ground quick enough… well, apparently, if you throw over-ripe heirloom tomatoes on the ground, they will grow the following year. So while my seedlings are still not producing tomatoes, the seeds from the rotted tomatoes have blessed us with over 30 tomato plants. Crazy, delicious heirlooms 🙂
Kay says
Never had homemade cheese, so I need to win this in a hurry so I can pair the cheese with the few tomatoes still making it through this three digit heat…
Rosemeri says
I’ve made mozzarella at home before and I really love it. It’s been a long time since I’ve made some and now I’m motivated to try again. Thanks for the opportunity to win a kit.
Debbie Williford says
I love fresh Mozarella! Would love to make my own!
Janet Ortega says
I have never tasted homemade cheese but it sounds delish! My maters aren’t doing so well, I live in AZ and it’s not a good time for them now with temps beyond 95. Love your site!
carolyn says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese. My tomatoes are not doing too well. Moved to the Northwest last year and still learning about gardening. Love your weekly tips.
Suzanne says
ah….to make some myself and share the kit with my son…..awesome!
Elaine says
I used to make an easy goat cheese when my neighbors had dairy goats. I miss them (the goats!) and making cheese!!
badger gardener says
I have had small-batch cheese in a restaurant but not from my own kitchen. Ever since watching Tony Soprano bring Furio over from Italy to make fresh mozzarella I’ve always wanted to try it : )
caitlinvb says
I LOVE homemade cheese and homegrown tomatoes! I’m growing Reisetomate for the first time this year… as well as a few other varieties. We’ll see!
Linda says
Have never made cheese, but have dabbled in yogurt.
Not so good with the tomatoes, but haven’t given up.
Love your blog…I have tried more recipes from you than any other place. Salmon Mousse is my all time fave. I want to be your new best friend!
Kelly says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese. It’s always scared me a bit. Growing up, we’d go to the local dairy & get fresh cheese & cottage cheese. It reminds me of that.
Kathy says
I would love to try to make mozzarella! I have made chevre from goat milk this year, but am still trying to get the hang of it.
Tomatoes are great too! Love the pink berkely tie dye 🙂
Pam says
I have never tried homemade cheese. I’m so tired of buying the tasteless stuff at the store. I’m looking forward to making tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. Yum.
Amber says
I have made ricotta before, but never mozzarella. Sounds tasty!
Tomatoes are ramping up here in MN. Made tomato zucchini gratin tonight for dinner with garden tomatoes. It was heavenly! I’m hoping to be over-run with garden tomatoes in the next few days. Grew about 7 different varieties this year, and all are doing pretty well. Not sure the basil can grow fast enough to keep up! Yellow jubilee and orange heirloom have thus far been the best producers, but the early girl tomatoes are now giving them a run for their money.
Tessa T says
I love watching cooking shows, anytime I watch someone make cheese, I say to myself, ‘ I could do that’….alas, i have not yet. I am a huge cheese lover & do not care to fight the rubbery mozz anymore!
Joan says
How are my tomatoes doing?…so far I’ve canned 28 pts. of salsa, 6 qts. seasoned sauce, 20 some tomatoe soups, and 13 qts. of tomato puree. More coming on…yep, tomatoes are doing ok dispite the blight, blossom end rot, mites, tomato horn worms and lack of rain. 😉 In other news–I love cheese!
Shara says
No ripe tomatoes yet, but I have 7 varieties planted and Oregon in due for some warmer weather soon, so fingers crossed. Can’t wait to make some Tomato Pie.
Debby says
Cheese! 🙂
Eileen says
Never tried homemade cheese but want to. Tomatoes are doing ok. Already had one small one. Anxious for others coming soon
Nancy says
LOVE LOVE LOVE homemade cheese, Better for you as well. My tomatoes are growing very slowly, do not have enough yet to make a batch of sauce but we did make a small batch of salsa!
Shelly says
I’ve not tasted homemade cheese, but would love to taste my own homemade mozzarella!
* crosses fingers *
Brenda from Cape Cod says
I bake my own bread, and have made home-brewed beer, but have never tried homemade cheese. Will do this one of these days, even if I don’t win the kit. Thanks for the awesome advice!
Mary says
My son is a professional cheese maker. I would LOVE to show him up with my own delicious mozarella!!
Cheryl says
My six year old son would eat fresh mozzerella sandwiches every day for lunch if I’d let him — and I usually do!! Would just love to try to make it ourselves.
Sherri says
I love cheese. Would love to make my own.
Pat G. says
I have had some great homemade cheese tastings and a wonderful tour of Cowgirl Cremery out here in N. CA. Tomato update: I love Sungold. My Vintage Wine tomato will be planted again next year. Beautiful color and great taste.
Sonia says
I have tasted fresh mozzerella at a local cheese shop where it is made. I would love to make it myself. My tomatoe plants are almost 5 feet tall. We use to have to have water hauled in a stored in a water vault but we decided to dig a well last year. So glad that we did because I was able to water my plants and not depend on the rain water this year which as we know there wasn’t much of. I continue to pray for rain…:)
Earen says
I have only had homemade feta from my friend who is addicted to making homemade cheese. I would love to try making some myself!
linda says
never had super fresh homemade cheese. Have looked at this kit before though.
Karen Yost says
I’ve made homemade farmer’s cheese before as an experiment. I would love to try homemade mozzarella!
Lisa says
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but I would love to try. My tomatoes are growing excellent! They are loving the compost of last fall’s leaves that I raked into the veggie garden! Have a great day!
Joan E. says
Thank you for providing this opportunity for someone to win the cheese making kit. I for one have not tasted homeade cheese. This year I have not grown tomatoes, but started growing fresh herbs; which would be great in the homeade cheese. Have a wonderful day.
Donna says
I have never had homemade mozzarella. We have a local dairy that does make fresh cheese, and what I have had so far really beats store bought. I would LOVE to try this! And btw, love your newsletter!
Karl Nurmi says
Really enjoy your site ,and look forward to reading your latest on my facebook wall!
Just signed up for your e-mail newsletter too , which I’m sure I will also enjoy!
Keep up the good work!!
BTW I’m thinking that even if we don’t win this kit,, cheese making is on the agenda of upcoming projects for my wife and I. We live off grid in the midst of the bush and are becoming more and more self sufficient all the time!
Robin says
I don’t think I’ve ever tried “real” mozzarella & how much more fun to make it myself. Oh & my tomatoes are doing mostly fine this year. Can’t say the same for the rest of my garden.
Mel says
I’ve been experimenting with homemade cheese for a year. Still trying to get my mozzarella to be soft and tender, but it’s still better than paying $5 for a tiny ball with no flavor at the store.
Melodae says
Hello! No, I’ve not had the opportunity to taste homemade cheese.
My tomatoes are doing great… and my cukes have gone up their umbrella skeleton trellis and out the top.
I love your newsletter and blogs and site…
Judi says
Nope never tasted it. Would love to make it. Is there a link to buy the kit? Just sayin’
Amy Butler says
I have tasted homemade cheese it is AMAZING!!! I’ve really been wanting to try my hand at cheese-making and this kit would be a great start. I love your newsletter with all the great information you share. Thanks for the newsletter and the chance to win this kit!
Rposemarie says
Love your website, and yes, I have tasted homemade mpozarella and ricotta. They are so delicious and so different from the store-bought stuff. I’d love to win your kit giveaway. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Genene says
I’ve only had “fresh” mozzarella from the store…. It’s pretty good but you’ve really made me want to make my own. My tomatoes are finally coming on. (I say finally but I live in a zone 4 & I built a hoophouse so I could start them earlier). Love the blog & your creative energy. Thanks!
Anda says
Hi! Never had the fresh stuff.
Ngoc says
I have only tried cheese that I can get from the store!
My tomatoes are great, planted brandywine, Cherokee purple, and some cherry ones-finally harvesting some. The brandywine is so sweet and tasty but I’m having a problem with some splitting on top.
Thanks for your awesome posts and giveaways
sue says
How funny! I was just saying to my husband, “well, our tomatoes are finally coming in, our basil is doing good, I just need to learn how to make fresh mozzarella!” Love, love your site! Found my first tomatoe worm and now I will search your site to figure out how to keep those away! Thanks again!
Erin says
I’ve never had fresh cheese. The other night I wasn’t feeling well. Wanted a light supper. I cut up my first ever Brandywine tomato and a bit of goat cheese. It was the BEST tomato I’ve ever had. I cannot even imagine how good freshly made mozzarella would have been. I would love to win this.
Joan says
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but I would like to try! Our tomatoes are just starting to turn red. The few I have had have tasted ok, but the flavor seems diluted… too watery, and not as scrumptious as usual. Split skins too. I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Barbara says
When i was very small, my father used to bring home muzzarella from the Italian deli. I remember peeling off the salty skin and devouring it before diving into the tender interior. I’ve never had anything like it since, and wonder if cheese made at home might come close …
Sheila says
sounds great
Barbie Freudenmuth says
Since I live and garden in northern Michigan, I am just starting to harvest my tomatoes, and my basil is ready to add to the salad I plan to make with mozarella cheese…and if I mmmmmmmmmMADE my own cheese-wow, what a treat! I very much enjoy the info you share in your columns. The zuchini fritters recipe was great…delicious and different! I hope I win the cheese making kit!
Courtney talbot says
Hi Kevin! Love this blog!!!! Omg homemade cheese?! Come to mama!!
Eliza J says
I have never tried home made cheese and would love to try this. I purchased a Yogotherm from Ricki’s and have been using it a couple months now, love it! As far as tomatoes go, I have a ton of green tomatoes…still waiting.
elidet says
I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting home made cheese but I would love to!
Our backyard is in the final stages of being prepared for our garden! When we moved in, there were a lot of rocks instead of soil. I can’t wait to plant my fruits and veggies!
trillium says
We put our garden in VERY late, and will be happy with whatever is produced this year. We’re just now getting cherry tomatoes – yum!!
I’d love to hear experiences from those who have won your cheese making kit in the past ! You are so generous to continually “gift” us, not only with your encouraging newsletters, but with this as well.
Anniegreensprings says
I would love to learn how to make cheese! Unfortunately my garden has been eaten by deer!
Diane says
I love fresh mootz :o) so it stands to reason that I would LOVE homemade mootz too. I enjoy making pizza on the grill using tomatoes and basil (and sometimes rosemary if the mood strikes me) right from the garden when the tomatoes are still warm from the sun. I can only imagine this ambrosia of the summer would be out of this world with the addition of some homemade mozzarella.
Pam says
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but I want to learn how to make my own!
Pat Futch says
Yes–a friend of mine made it once when I was visiting, and it was wonderful. I hope I win!!
Dawn says
I have tasted homemade cheese, melted on top of a thick slice of tomato with a drizzle of olive oil and a leaf of basil, Oh I can taste it just telling you about it.
Maureen says
I would absolutely love to win the cheese kit. As a senior citizen, trying to eat well can be a challenge so I make as much of my food as possible. Unfortunately, I live in the state that is breaking temperature records (12 days over 100 degrees, so far) and my garden burned out when it hit 112 degrees. I love your newsletter and, in particular, your step-by-step recipes. Keep up the excellent work.
Jeannette T. says
I’ve never tried to make homemade cheese, but I’d love to try it out.
Caroline Baines says
Hey Kevin, I’d love to try this.
I’m getting geared up for the 3rd round in my S. Florida garden. This has been my first year with a “true” garden (was container gardening before) and I’ve learned a lot so far. Thank you for inspiring me to try some new things. My garlic shipped yesterday and I can’t wait to use some scrape pesto!
Diane says
This is the second time in two days, from different sources, that I have heard about homemade cheese and how great it is…obviously it is a sign I need to try it! Your kit would be the direction. :0)
Katie Parker says
I enjoy your newsletters and recipes! When I lived in Ohio, I lived near Amish country and had homemade cheese all the time. When I lived in Arizona, I worked at my friends winery and a few of the local 4H families who raised goats made cheese to sell there. Goat cheese is my favorite! I’d love to try to make some myself!
Jennifer Smiljanovski says
Hello! The brandywine tomatoes are starting to turn. Homemade cheese sounds delightful!
Molly says
I would love to try homemade cheese as you say, store bought has not much taste.I planted late this year so everything is way behind and some little bugger is eating my grn peppers right down. Hope he gets a taste of the hot peppers and doesn’t come back. Fat chance 🙂
didi says
Throwing my apron in the ring…
kathryn reilly says
Would love the kit! My coworker brought in some homemade ricotta and it was delicious! Already subscribe to your weekly newsletter – love it!
Kimberly says
I have never made cheese but would love to try!
Marion says
Have purchased homemade cheese from Farmers’ Markets. It’s great. My tomatoes are just starting to ripen. The plants are spilling over the top of double decker cages. Can’t wait for mozzarella and tomatoes with pesto!
Don Beaver says
I would like to try homemade cheese.
Sarah says
I adore your weekly newsletter! I made homemade ricotta once and tried making mozzarella and completely failed. My tomato plants produced a handful of fruit and then were overcome by deer and blight.
vickie says
I just picked a few tomatoes this morning -most are green yet -can’t wait for them to ripen but of course the beans are in so we are busy
thanks for the chance -never tried homemade cheese before
Debbie B says
No, I have not had truely fresh cheeses! Have had some really close to fresh but mostly the store bought! Love the newsletter and have shared it several times, spreading your ideas and receipes!
Bonnie Netherton says
I’m gardening in the Florida Keys, where our seasons are reversed, so right now, my tomatoes are tiny seedlings. I’ve never eaten homemade cheese, but I’d love to try. Thanks for the chance to win a kit. I really enjoy your newsletter, Kevin!
Terri H. says
Mmmm, ricotta. 🙂
Elaine Smith says
I’d love to try and also make cheeses and Greek
Yogurt! Sounds fun and delicious! Thanks for
The chance to win and learn!
Marcia Luick says
Can’t wait to try it!
Inga says
I’ll be in the States (CT & NY) from end of October to visit my kids and would love to win your kit. I have tasted homemade mozzarella at a friends house here in Austria – wonderful. I would love to make my own.
Suzanne Schroeder says
Love your site.
I am in Sunny Florida but was born and raised in Downstate N.Y.
Lived many years in upstate as well.
Never made cheese,looks like fun.
Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win this cheese making kit.
Suzanne
Linda says
I adore cheese of any kind but have never had home made!Sure sounds good!!!!
Pam says
I haven’t ever made cheese from scratch but my friend Julie did just yesterday! I am so excited for her and her family! I would love to be blessed with the cheese kit! It would go nicely with my tomatoes and basil! Have a wonderful day! Pam
Pat Lightfoot says
My husband is recovering from cancer so I have began an all natural diet in our home. Making my own healthy cheese is my next step. Love your site.
Tery says
I’ve not had homemade cheese but If i don’t win this kit I’m buying one anyway. Looks amazing! Gotta Try it!
Christine Dias says
It’s sad to say that I’ve only tried the rubbery store bought and I’d love to make homemade cheese!
Your website is absolutely wonderful and I visit often!
Have a great day and thanks for all you do! 🙂
Brenda Yeand says
Never tasted homemade cheese — would like to try it though
Azri'el Collier says
I have had homemade cheese some time back. It was garlic goat cheese and was awesome! As for our tomatoes, after an extreme drought and heat, the tomato plants are finally letting the tomatoes ripen and we have been eating tomatoes regular for the past 3 weeks. Due to the damage the triple digit heat caused, I am not going to get the mass ripening that I usually get for canning, so am doing meals that feature the tomatoes that are ripe as they ripen. But, more important for me is the introducing of a newly cultivated wild herb / leaf veggie that folks are beginning to rave about. Lambs Quarter. Drought resistant, wet summer resistant and healthier than spinach with milder flavour. Super easy to grow on rich or poor soil, it is the greens of the future!
Lourdes says
My mom used to make home made cheese, it would be good to have some again!!
Kristy says
I have made my own goat cheese and flavored it in many ways. I have never made mozzarella, tried ricotta but without success. My tomatoes (over 300 plants) have survived quite nicely and my next cheese I would like to try is sundried tomatoes and garlic!! But my nanny is about to have babies so had to stop milking her for a bit, will resume when the babies are old enough!
Carol Bellamy says
I’d love to try making cheese at home. I’m retired and trying all the things I didn’t have time for when I was raising my family and working full-time at a software company. And now I have grandchildren to do things with. Life is grand!
Kim Luna says
would love that!
David says
homemade and local cheeses are the best!
Carrie says
I have tasted home made cheese before, and had a large jar of whey as a bonus. It was delicious for baking bread with. I would be thrilled to win this cheese kit!
Debbie says
What a delightful experience for my taste buds….to add homemade cheeses to homemade goodies I am making with foods from the local Farmers’ Market.
Billie Walker says
Actually, no, I have never tasted homemade cheese, but would love to try it!! Thank YOU SO much for an earlier newsletter letting us know how to sucker tomatoe plants! Worked great!! We have had 2 cannings of tomatoes already and have 18 pints put up. Since it is just my husband & I, we did pints instead of quarts this year. I bet homemade mozzarella and ricotta would taste delicious in our lasagna along with the fresh tomatoe sauce!! And I LOVE cream cheese, especially with my fresh cucumbers!! Thank you for the opportunity to win 1 of the kits. If I am not lucky, let us know where to buy 1!
Thank you!!! We love our gardening and very appreciative of your tips to help us along!!
Julie says
I make our own yogurt and butter , cheese is next on the list 🙂
Pamela Avera says
Cheese making is SO interessting to me & my companion, Mike.
We have been smoking our own cheese for many years & the prospect of “making” & smoking is
something we would love to try. Our holiday cheese giving tradition is loved by our
Family & friends. How cool would it be to be able to give homemade cheese along with our smoked cheeses?!?!?!
Katherine Werner says
Mozzarella is a yummy cheese and so is your newsletter! xo
Laurie Smith says
Cheese, please!
Suzy says
I have not made cheese but have been wanting to learn as I have tasted it and yummmm is the appropriate word! My tomatoes are growing and I have a lot of green so yay!
Tammie says
My cherry tomatoes are great but the squirrels keep getting my larger tomatoes. They take them when they are still not quite ripe and take a few bites them leave them laying. Guess they want to share LOL
Linda Jenkins says
I’ve never tasted it. Here in southern WI we have finally got some rain and my garden is finally starting to grow. I replanted my beans for the third time and they are about 5 inches tall. I may actually get some this time. The tomatoes are just starting to produce.
Kelly G says
I had mozzarella from a farmers market YEARS ago, it was GREAT! My husband and I have talked about trying to make both of these cheeses, but we have a long list of things to try and haven’t done this one yet. Our tomatoes are starting to ripen and it would be great to have some fresh mozzarella to eat with them!
bunkie says
great giveaway! i’ve never tasted homemade cheese, but have always wanted to try it. would love to learn how to make my own! our toms are bursting with flowers and baby fruit now!
Dawn Gruss says
Hi 🙂
I made 30 minute mozzarella using whole milk – finally get the nursery rhyme “curds and whey”!
Kathleen Conner says
I have had cheese made fresh at a French farm–does that count? =)
Laurie Newman says
My dream….homemade cheese! I make almost everything else from scratch, it’s time to try cheese!
Nancy says
I have never tried homemade cheese, but I am a cheese lover, so I am sure I would love to try some. If I don’t win it, I’ll most likely buy one! Thanks for your wonderful newsletter.
Mary Abbott says
Never tried to make fresh cheese, but would love to give it a whirl.
Pam says
I have tasted homemade cheese – YUM – but have never made it. If I win the kit that could change things!
Mary Anne Cella says
I would very much like to make my own cheese. Loved your great pix of removing suckers from tomatoes. Made the plants much less crowded.
Betsy says
I’d love to make fresh cheese with my daughter who is a baker. I have visions of fresh pizza dough with sliced heirloom tomatoes and basil from the garden. Thanks for all the information you share.
Patricia Miller says
I have never tasted homemade cheese of any kind, well unless you count the kind you make by draining plain yogurt. My tomatos are just not doing as well as expected. They have received ample water using an automatic system, but it has been so hot here that nothing in the garden is doing as well as expected. Well, what can you do? Thanks for a great weekly newsletter. It is one of the highlights of my week.
Charla Nail says
I’ve never made cheese. Sure does look yummy and fun!
Lori says
Nope. Never had homemade cheese of any kind. I’ve been dying to try making it though.
My tomatoes have exploded, too! My goodness my beefsteaks are beautiful and the cherries are abundant. Good thing I like tomatoes. I’m going to experiment with drying tomatoes this year if I can get a decent dehydrator.
BTW. I love your site. So much fun.
Dirtdauber says
Have made cottage cheese when I was young. Would like to try to make cheese. We use a lot of it
Sheri Tuck says
I enjoy your newsletter and have shared your website with friends. “Who’d like to win this useful item in a random drawing?” you asked. Me of course!
Debbie Staton says
I’ve never had homemade cheese, but I have made yogurt.
Nancy says
Hi,
I stumbled onto your site just a little over a month ago and truly enjoy all you share. We are only harvesting cherry tomatoes right now but looking forward to eating the rest soon…. I hope! I have never tried my hand at homemade cheese but we used to buy delicious fresh ricotta from an Italian market when I lived in CA. Miss that little shop now. It would be fun to make fresh mozz and ricotta at home.
susan sexton says
We have a huge population of Amish in our county and I belive maybe I can get some raw milk from them. Last night we got rain for the first time, in West central Indiana, since April!! Garden,,,,,, not so good this year.
Diane says
I made cheese once when we had a milking cow and needed something to do with all that milk. I would really like get back into making my own again.
Eileenrn says
I would like to be able to make this with my grandchildren. I have not tasted homemade cheese. My garden has bit the dust due to the watering restrictions and heat but I had beautiful cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes. The grands would find some and eat them before anyone else could get them.
lynn says
Helllo!
LOVE getting your newsletter. I have never tried homemade cheese, but fingers crossed I win this kit and will be able to say that I have and love it!!!
Carla says
Hi,
I too have never tasted homemade cheese, but a few of my cousins have been experimenting and I am definitely curious!
As for my tomatoes, up here they are not ripe yet, so I am jealous of all of you that are tasting yours already. I tried something new this year and built some self-watering planters called Earthtainers. Between the constant water supply and the fertizilier, my plants are between 4and 5 feet tall and are showing the best crop of tomatoes that I have had in years!!!! I had started far too many plants (because all the other starts came in at 1/3 – 1/2 sprouting rates) and now have about 50 tomato plants all over my yard. Some are going to be a little shy on the harvest, but it sure looks nice.
Sandy says
I would love to try homemade cheese. I have 2 parrots who love the “forbidden” food so they get a little treat now and then. Would love to see what their opinion of this cheese is! Enjoy your email very much. So does my son. Thank you. Sandy
Anna Lapping says
I have been thinking of ordering a kit, or at least the rennet and citric acid you specified in your recipe, so I would be overjoyed to win the kit. I do make my own ricotta, but have never tried the mozzarella. I’m gearing up to plant my broccoli and fall veg in about 2 weeks, we can’t grow broccoli as a summer crop…too hot. And I have the most adorable baby acorn squash right now, the zucchini and yellow squash are about finished as are the tomatoes, but I planted one more so I could have some late toms. Eggplant is going great guns as are the peppers and okra.
Catherine Colwell says
I have had home made goat cheese. I am working on making everything fresh from the source that I can! I would love to make my own cheeses!
Virginia Tillinghast says
My 2 year old loves to eat cheese and my 5 year old would love the experience of making cheese!
Michelle Anderson says
Making home made cheese is on my bucket list. Would love this kit…thanks for the opportunity to enter!
Anna W says
I have never tasted fresh cheese or ever made it. Is hard to make? How long does it take to cure or what ever it’s called. I would love to win the kit to try it.
Vicki Clark says
I am wild about eggplant parm, the thought of home made ricotta – YUM! My tomatoes have taken off, except for one sad little plant. The tomato (singular) pulled the plant over so now it looks like Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree!
Judy says
I have never made cheese. Very much interested in trying. We are trying to eat healthier for our 6 yr old.
Lisa Williams says
I have tasted homemade cheese and there is NO comparing! The flavor is rich and buttery.
Connie Cochran says
The drought and grasshoppers have pretty much ruined my garden, although I have one tomato plant that is trying to hang in there. Hope springs eternal! I would love to make some cheese to brighten this hot summer!
prairiecactus says
I have tasted homemade ricotta and a version of cream cheese…both were fabulous!
We actually had tons of tomatoes this year, but then the extreme heat in Kansas wiped out nearly everything in a matter of a few days, plants turned brown and withered away. We usually have tomatoes until early fall but last season, and this one, have been pretty difficult for gardening. More than thirty days over 100 degrees. Thanks for yet another opportunity! Cheese please!
Joyce says
I’d love to learn how to make cheese at home!
Susan K says
Hi Kevin – I just made cottage cheese from your recipe….very nice indeed. While your garden on the East Coast is finishing, ours on the West Coast is just getting some heat to ripen things. So we are a bit behind you, but we will catch up and put these good hints and ideas to work on our garden. Thanks.
Tricialee says
Wow! Lots of people would like to win the cheese-making kit! Me, too!!!
This year we only have one lonely lomato plant out on the deck. (because our condo association does not allow vegetable gardens. There ought to be a law against allowing old farts with tunnel vision to serve on the by-laws committees!) Flowers are okay, but no veggies.
Anyway, my (little) flower garden is beautiful with God’s jewels sparkling and waving in the breezes of a hot RI summer. Sun flowers even managed to pop out and command attention!
Life is good..
Anne B says
I would love to try home-made cheese, especially mozz!
Blister beetles attacked this week and in 24 hours, stripped all foliage from the heirloom beefsteak and started on the other 2 tomato plants! Arrgg. Handpicking was not an option (there were hundreds of them). The only thing I had was fly spray for my horse containing pyrethrin. I used against them and it seems to have worked. All is quiet now. I try to let most
bugs just be, but there has to be a little mutual respect.
7/10 inch rain last night felt like a miracle.
Paul says
I have never experienced homemade. But, I am a cheese fanatic!
Karyn Clark says
I would love to win this cheese making kit for my birthday(Aug 10). I can,freeze or dry everything I can get my hands on. Our tomatoes have done exceptionally well this year, I have canned tomatoes, made juice, spaghetti/pizza sauce, salsa, ketchup and barbeque sauce. I love being able to put up my own foods and being less dependent on the grocery stores. Love your newsletter and use many of your tips and recipes. Keep up the good work!
Dorci says
I’ve nevermade homemade cheese and so want to try! BTW, my tomato plants are huge, including current tomatos! I’m excited for them to ripen 🙂
Teena Atkins says
Hello, I enjoy your website and follow it closely with every newsletter you send – you always seem to have something good in hints and recipes.
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but would like to try it.
I have tomato plants in the garden and the greenhouse and they are producing beautifully. They started out a little slow with the little rain here, and since we have another month or two there should be a bounty of produce to come.
Cheers, T
Pat says
The cheese looks delicious! LOVE your site.
Debbie B says
When my husband was stationed in Italy 30 years ago we had mozzarella like we had never had before. I didn’t know you could make your own. Would love to win this and have some good fresh cheese again! Thanks.
Monica says
I have yet to taste home made cheese. The closest I’ve tasted to it is raw milk – which, by the way, was AMAZING. I don’t have any tomatoes but my carnivorous plants send their regards 🙂
Jo from NC says
I love your newsletter! I put out a garden every year and give away a lot! There are elderly couples around us that no longer are able to put out gardens so they love the overflow of produce and the chance to get homegrown veggies. Of course they like the zuchinni in bread form more than just zuchinni. 🙂 I would love the chance to make homemade cheese. Thanks for the hard work in your newsletter.
Kristina says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese though your homemade greek yogurt is really getting me thinking! My tomatoes are doing ok, the big ones have only produced about 4 or 5 tomatoes and the cherry tomato stalks have dried up earlier than usual and not quit as fruitful… we’ll see how the next few weeks go. 🙂
KimH says
wow, what an awesome giveaway! I’ve never eaten homemade cheese, but I’d sure love the opportunity to try it. 🙂
Critter Reid says
I made cottage cheese once when I was a kid and MY TOMATOES ARE BITCHIN! I know you are supposed to move tomatoes from one bed to the next each year to prevent certain problems and I know that tomatoes must be started inside if from seed, but despite my vigorous turning of the soil as I mixed in my compost and then planted green beans, last year’s tomato bed is totally full of happy, vigorous, frolicking, VOLUNTEER tomato plants instead of green beans, which they eventually shaded to death. So now I have 2 raised beds full of tomatoes instead of the intended 1. I need that cheese!!! I have a lot of lasagna to make!!!!!
KimH says
I subscribed to your newsletter about 3 months ago, and Im so glad I did. I enjoy perusing your site when I have lots of time to take in all the goodness contained.
Have a great week!
Btw.. I got my garden in almost a month late so most of my slicing tomatoes are just now starting to ripen. I’ve had an overload of all sorts of squash & cucumbers and this years glory are two 20 foot rows of okra that I cant wait to get my hands on. 🙂
C Miller says
I have never made the homemade cheese though I have had it. My grandmother used to make it all the time, and I do recall it was quite good.
My garden is slow-such a wet spring and summer, but temps have been nice. My plants are finally starting to set tomatoes, and the tomatillos are loaded!
Amber Hall says
I enjoy your newsletter so much, thank you for taking time to write it. Happy August to you. Pssssssssst … no Valium. Breath in, breath out. Life is good! :>) Sadly I have never had homemade cheese.
Marcy says
Yes, I love homemade mozzarella! Love the Cheese Queen & would love a cheese kit! Thank You!
Roxy says
I’ve been subscribed for awhile…I love your newsletter!
Never had homemade cheese…am dyin’ to try it.
It’s very hard to grow tomatoes here (Northcoast CA) w/o a greenhouse. This year has been extra tough…we haven’t even gotten any from our CSA. 🙁 I have a few cherry tomato plants under a grow lamp but got started late so nothing is happening yet.
HOWever, yesterday I picked about 3/4 of a pound of beautiful bush beans off of 6 pretty small bushes in my single plot of our community garden. It made my day and will most likely continue to do so for several days to come!
Nancy says
Never tasted homemade cheese. I started doing my own canning. Cheese making isnow on my list.
Laura Graham says
Cheese! I have never had homemade cheese to my knowledge before, but I would love to make some so I can try it. I have many delicious cheese recipes in which to use the fresh homemade cheeses.
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your site and how it inspires me. It is one of the bright spots in my Sunday email. Thanks.
Kelly says
I’ve never had homemade cheese and would LOVE to win this and try my hand at making it!
Shelley Cornell says
I have never tasted homemade cheese but would love to be able to make my own homemade cheese! Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!
Maureen Boyle says
My tomatoes are just starting to go wild. I have never had homemade mozzarella but I would love to boast a caprese salad that’s entirely homemade.
Cheryl says
No, I have never tasted or made homemade cheese.
My tomatoes are plentiful but a lot of my grape tomatoes are split. It’s been a very hot summer in Michigan. Do you know why they would split?
Cindy says
No, I’ve never tasted home made cheese. I’m loaded with the sweetest cherry tomatoes I’ve ever had. I’ve tasted the mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil. Just imagine it with home made cheese and garden fresh tomatoes.
Sean OBrien says
I have never tried home made cheese. It would be fun to make and try.
Patrice says
I’ve had a local cheesemaker’s cheese here in rural south-eastern Ohio but never tasted homemade. I’ve often wanted to try making my own at home.
As for my garden, the tomatoes are coming in late this year but I’m finally seeing some action and it was well worth the wait! The beans (both pole and bush types) have also been slow to produce but now are showing signs of kicking in – mmmmmm, delicious Kentucky Wonders.
janine mally says
have had all kinds of homemade cheeses if you count the wonderful farmers markets here in Chicago land cheeses from locals and Wi. have had homemade mozzarella still warm at the Sandy Butler in Ft. Myers Fl please make it possible for me to make it in my own kitchen to have with the wonderful heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market.
Brenda says
Great contest! Haven’t tried homemade cheese.
Mary Lou Nordstrom says
Enjoy your site.. recipes, suggestions and ideas..The water sprayed newspaper with the barkdust on top of it solved a BIG problem for us! Many thanks!
Julie says
I’ve never had homemade cheese, nor have I attempted making my own; but several weeks ago, after seeing your post about homemade yogurt, I’ve been making and ENJOYING my own homemade yogurt. Just seems logical to try homemade cheese next. Homemade mozzarella on top of my tacorito casserole would be to-die-for. Thanks for the opportunity to win a kit. I enjoy your weekly newsletter.
Janelle says
I love this cheese company!! And yes, my tomatoes are exploding!
Margo Boult says
I must say, I have never made cheese but would love the opportunity to do so!! 🙂
Mary B says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese but would so like to try it. Live in a small city space so I can’t grow my own food, and so envious of those that have that ability. To me there is nothing tastier than fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables.
Susan says
I have tasted homemade cheese. My sister took care of her neighbours goats which involved milking them. I was surprised at how easy making goat cheese is and it was delicious!
donnikah says
Hi Kevin,
I’ve made ricotta but never tried mozzarella. Would love a chance to try. Can almost taste the lasagne now!
Michelle says
I LOVE your newsletters!!! I LOVE cheese…I’ve never had homemade cheese, but SOOOOOOO want to try it!
Barbara says
I’ve had homemade mozzarella in restaurants, but would love to try making my own. And my tomatoes are getting ready to explode: a salad-full of grape tomatoes 2 or 3 times a week, a few Early Girls and one Celebrity so far. But lots and lots of blossoms and green fruit. When it all hits, it will be crazy! I’m so glad our church has a basket to donate excess produce to our local food pantry.
Nora says
Tomatoes are still green….waiting patiently for the red ones….
Janice Foster says
Janice says from Virginia,
i have never tried home made cheese. i would love too. thank you for the chance to win
a cheese kit. love your news letter lots of good information. i have learned alot. thank you
again. God Bless.
Janice Straight says
Thank you for a wonderful newsletter. I get so many great ideas and employ them often. I began making cheese last year and now I have made ricotta, creme fraiche, yogurt, kefir, queso fresco, chèvre, fromache blanc. I am getting ready to build a cheese cave so I can make aged cheese like chedder, romano, etc… would love to become a cheese vender some day!
susan mack says
My friend from bookclub made mozzarella and butter and we all got to taste. I have never known where to buy the rennet. I love fresh mozzarella and now is the time to make it to go with all the tomatoes. I love the heirlooms!
Clarice Lofgran says
Have not tasted homemade cheese yet but would love to try it. I love your website and have learned lots!
Cindy Merrill says
I am subscribed to your email updates and like this post on Facebook. Our tomatoes are growing nicely in our garden, hope to have a decent harvest soon.
Cosette says
I’ve been buying my mozzarella from a fabulous little local dairy, and I’ve been inspired to try my hand, here’s my big chance!
I started my kefir making journey yesterday, hurrah!
This year I finally tried some heirloom tomatoes, I can’t report on my success yet because they haven’t ripened, but we are loving our sweet sun sugar cherries.
yarnball says
I would love to make my own mozzarella!
Caroline says
You always keep me on track in the garden and kitchen. Thank you.
I just learned how to make yogurt and would love to learn how to make cheese.
Thank you for the opportunity
kathleen says
Like so many others, I’ve never tasted or made homemade cheese. I would love to try! Even if I don’t win the kit, can you tell me where to get one?
As for my tomatoes, sadly I had to move rather suddenly in early July (new job in a new state), so I believe my former neighbors are reaping the fruits of my labor. I had planted romas, cherry and beefsteaks. Sigh, once we move from this second floor (no balcony) apartment, we will start again on a new garden.
Terri P says
I haven’t tried homemade cheese but would love to. Thanks for the contest.
Rose Anne Duschl says
I would love to try home cheese. Sounds delicious.
Audrey says
We have never been so fortunate to have eaten homemade cheese. I planted heirloom tomatoes from Czechoslovakia that look beautiful and are producing well. I also have an abundance of sweet peppers. Used your recipe for blueberry bars, which were just delicious! My 5 year old grandson picked the blueberries and then helped bake them, what a joy!
Gardenho says
I’m going to try making goat-milk mozzarella. Sounds good!
Peggy Lupo says
Hi: I have never made cheese but we eat a lot of it! Regarding tomatoes, we experimented with the “Kaspar” method of growing tomatoes this year. We pruned all the suckers and leaves under the fruit leaving 3/4 leaves on top as the grow up the stake. Pretty interesting, they definetly look like tomatoe trees as he said they would. Large cluster of big tomatoes which are just beginning to show signs of ripening. We leave a short distance from the Sonoma County, CA coast and most everything comes in in September.
We love your news letter and website.
Perta Sennott says
I spend very little time on the internet but I dearly love your site! Homemade cheese? Perhaps only once, at a friend’s home, enjoyed it very much! (To paraphrase Barbara Bush “I never met a cheese I did not like.”) Have thought about trying to make it for a few years but have not yet. As for my tomatoes, in this tiny village just 10 minutes from the sea, they simply are not happening! This is my 7th year here in the garden and am not giving away my bounty as in years past and have not even eaten any! More fog and grey than usual, my Brandywines are not ripening, many of the others are not even setting fruit. But am quite lucky in the raspberry and blueberry department!
Julie says
Never tasted home-made cheese, but I do make yogurt….
Heirloom tomatoes didn’t do too well, but the ordinary tomatoes are doing fine.
Thanks for the posts!
Amica Venturi says
My sister has made cheese for a couple of years now with raw milk. I would love to have her over and share some of the cheese I will make. Love your posts. Thanks for all you do.
Nicole K says
I would LOVE to make my own cheese. I have been looking at this for months now and can’t wait to get my hands on a cheese making kit.
In the mean time, I’m waiting for my garden to bloom. I’m in Northern Cal the fog delays blooming, I guess.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hugh says
I have indeed tasted homemede cheese, but have never had the confidence to try it myself. I would love to win this kit, but it looks like the competition is fierce! Best wishes to all and I may see about getting a kit anyway!
Judy H. says
New creamy right down the road making sheep cheese! I would love to make my own to compare!
Richard W says
I would love to try my own cheese. Never had any but store bought. I would hope that I could do a better job making it than I have done with my tomatoes in my new country garden.
Dee says
I have tasted homemade cheese and I loved it! I’d love a chance to win the kit so I could try it myself. Thanks for the opportunity. I love your newsletter but I am having a hard time finding the rings to make the English muffins.
Diane A. says
Nope, never had homemade cheese. Tried homemade yogurt once, unsuccessfully. The tomatoes are coming along. Cherry tomatoes are doing real well and so are the yellow tomatoes. The red tomatoes are out of the world, but unfortunately there’s just not enough of them.
Bill says
Hi Kevin, My cherry tomatoes are doing great. I know i picked over 3lbs already. I also have these Old German Heirloom tomatoes, they are just starting to turn light pink now, when they get ripe they will be a beautiful dark pink. Some can weigh up to 3 to 4 lbs, also my romas are in full force. I already canned 2 batches of salsa. Now i am almost ready to make some sauce and freeze it. By the way i would love to win the cheese making kit. Have a good day.
Joy Bellamy says
I worked at a specially store where in the cheese dept. they would make fresh mozzarella every week-end. It was wonderful!! Would love to make my own. Thanks for the give-away Kevin. Fingers crossed I win it.
Diane B. says
Love your site – and would love to try homemade cheese! Count me in the drawing!
Elizabeth says
My mum used to make a ricotta but the formula is lost to me. I would love to win this kit and give it a go. Spoiler alert I will buy one if I don’t get a chance at the prize.
It is a lovely cool Sunday and my yard looks stunning. All the roses are blooming, the tomatoes are ripe and the butterfly garden is at its peak. Next week the forcast says hot, hot, hot, so I think this will be my last week to enjoy the blooms.
Cecily B says
I have never had home made cheese but really want to try it! I plan on buying a kit for my mom as well – but I sure would like to win one first … just to make sure it works! 😉
Stephanie says
I have had homemade goat cheese and my tomatoes are almost ripe!
Shirley says
Hey Kevin..I haven’t had the pleasure of trying home made cheese but it sounds great! Where I live here in Tx we are gearing up to plant more tomatoes, (our early ones went into spaghetti sauce, tomato jam etc. Didn’t get as many zucchini as I would have liked but was still able to get several batches of zucchini relish (oh that is SO good with beans, franks or burger’s and my daughter in law refuses to share any I give her and eats it by the spoon full, lol) . We tried okra, but I really didn’t know when to harvest or how to use it, I cooked some and added it to beef stew and it had really hard strings that was impossible to eat so am going to have to research how . I am known to write novelette’s so better close off here! Put me in for the drawing please! Have a Blessed day!
Deborah Handley says
I have just begun venturing into making cheese at home. I love the taste!
Jingles says
I’ve made home made yogurt, bread and pickles for many years – but cheese would be something new. Would LOVE to try it. Love your weekly treasures and have set up a special file just to keep your wonderful ideas handy.
Mimi White says
Did someone say “SMILE”..I mean “CHEESE”?! Means the same to me! Never had the “real stuff”but,don’t you know I’m game…BRING IT!!! On a hot summer day, there is nothin’ better than a cool thick slice of tomato,fresh basil,balsamic glaze and mozzerella cheese.Or perhaps some home-made veggie lasagna, oozing both.That did it!…Name your price! Thanks for all the great info and pics that you post,too!!!
Sandra Rickey says
I have made yogurt with all different fruit folded into it. I have always dreamed of making a cheese with a bit more substance. If I could win this kit, I could try mozzarella to serve with the wonderful tomatoes my great husband has grown this year.
I look forward to seeing your site. I would love to win this give away thank you for making the offer open to your loyal readers. Sandy
Jeannette Olton says
I have never tried homemade cheese but I would love to!
Dave says
I’ve been wanting to make mozzarella for years!
Yvonne Scott says
What a super gift this would be to win!!! The only experience I have is thickening ordinary yoghurt, to make Greek type, by dripping through cheesecloth to separate more whey,
Thanks for all the tasty recipes & handy tips.
Terri says
ME ME ME!!! PICK ME! I really want to try that!!!
Craig Meyer says
I am not sure if it would qualify for home made or not, but we has some of the best cheese curds in the world at Upper Canada Village a number of years ago and they were wonderful. Always wanted to go back and get some more but it is a long way from Florida, where the tomato season is over and we must start seedlings soon for our fall plantings.
Charyn says
would love to try making cheese, make most other things from “scratch”
Tara says
I’ve only tried some sheep’s milk cheese made from the folks who run our CSA. I guess since they are a farm and are selling the cheese, I can’t call it homemade!
Amy says
Never have tasted homemade cheese, but I surely would love to try it. Now, back to trying to commit your wonderful website to memory… Thank you!
Queen of the Click says
My tomato plants are huge thanks to your early starting tip of using the milk container.
Also I have made two loaves of your bread in my pulman pan which I saw you feature.
I don’t know anyone except for you who has made cheese at home. Stores around here (Brooklyn) claim they make the mozzarella and it is delicious.
I subscribe (and love it)!
Jody says
Would definitely love to try making either of these cheeses. I rarely indulge in either due to the cost at the grocery/specialty stores but my August tomatoes would be sooo lovely with some fresh mozarella!
Dawn Reid says
I have never made any homemade cheese or tasted. But my tomatoes are just beautiful and plenty of them. Thanks and have a great day!
Erin says
I have made whey and soft cheese but am excited to further my cheese making journey.
Deborah Jackson says
Hey Kevin, Yes, I have tried homemade cheese and one of my plans is to get goats soon so I can make my own, and have goats milk and also make soap from it. This would be a great started gift so count me in!!! Thanks. Your emails are great and I am just getting my teeny tiny tomatoes!
Kat says
I love making my own yogurt, but we haven’t tried making cheese YET. I’ve heard such good things about that cheesemaking kit!
We gave up on tomatoes last year after the one people whose tomatoes survived the record-breaking heat were the ones who put up shade cloth. We might try again next year, but between the heat and the fungus from potatoes, we’ll see….
Heather says
I am a subscriber. 🙂
Jennifer Elliott says
I have eaten homemade chevre from a friend who lives off the grid. It was fantastic! Other than that, it’s a new experience for me and one that I look forward to trying out!
Thanks for all of your good information, I learn lots of new things from your site.
Heather says
My tomatoes are so stunted by the heat and the drought this year.
I have had homemade cheese curds, but not cheese that has been formed into actual “cheese” and aged at all.
Linda Dodd says
Hello, I love the idea of making cheese for my family. Thanks for the information.
Beth says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese of any kind, I would love to be able to try. I’ve been a subscriber of yours for a few months now and I love reading about your garden. I’m printing out many of your recipes and my family loves them. Thank you so much for sharing all this information.
Beak says
I have never made home made cheese but have tasted some while travling in Germany. it was yummy. my tomatoes have had a very hard time with the drought this summer. its has been very hot in the midwest but they are coming along . I won’t have many but will enjoy what I can get.
Leanne says
I have never had homemade cheese to my knowledge. But, i am a huge fan of cheese ( of any kind)! Going to Wisconsin and tasting “real” cheese is on my “bucket” list. Sorry, but i am to lazy (and realistic) to put climb mount everest on the list. My Tomatoes are just plain sad. I think our 100+ temperatures finally got them. Plus, I really need to support the local farmers. By the way, love your weekly emails. Have made your homemade yogurt and cosmopolitans – often at the same time. So good! Keep up the good work!!!
Lynnette Galloway says
Never had home made cheese. Tomatoes are still green.
Lynne LaBonte-Ndiaye says
Many years ago when I was raising dairy goats we used to make a ricotta-like cheese that I used to make home made ravioli, which my kids loved. I know Ricky because she lives in the next town over. Would love to win a cheese making kit.
Deb says
I would like a kit so I could make my own cheese. What a kick to make it and tell friends and family that I made it 🙂
My yellow boy tomatoes are coming on good now and my cherry tomatoes grow up strings on my second floor deck garden. I love my garden!
Deb
Judy S says
I live in Minneapolis, where we have a fairly short growing (come on tomatoes!) but we have many many fantastic farmers markets where we can buy locally produced cheese. Typically they are aged cheeses. I would love to try making cheese with some of the local organic dairy products we are also fortunate enough to have here. I have never made cheese, but I love to eat it!
Apryl Kingsley says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese. I plan to try making some.
Anita says
The closest I’ve come to homemade cheese is fresh mozzarella at a Whole Foods Market. Delish, but probably not as wonderful as homemade. I’m off to India tomorrow and hope I read in my email when I return home that I’ve won! 9 tomato plants – abundant harvest; giving away to neighbors….I’ve read how you are coveting a Food Saver and saw this ad on Brad’s List. I just LOVE your website; funny, creative, informative, awesome. Love reading your newsy newsletter! xoxo Anita
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Anne Green says
I have never had homemade cheese. My tomatoes are done for the summer, my winter crop will be seeded next week.
cathy sullens says
i’ve never tasted homemade cheese but i would really love to! SMILE
garden is all in pots as i’m an apt renter this year…all doing well…
really enjoy your newsletter! well written and wonderful pictures!
thanks for the chance and have an AWESOME weekend! smile
cat, in the smoky mtns of east TN…
Carolyn Politis says
I was lucky enough to watch Mozzarella cheese being made in a home in Italy. They had this huge vat (they were making it for the village) and this old guy had his hands in scalding water forming the cheese. And yes, it tasted great.
Robinski says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese. I’d love to try!
NorseArcher says
Only tasted homemade cheese once when a roommate of Indian descent gave me a homemade dish to taste. Can’t remember the name but it was spinach and homemade cheese, yummy! Tomatoes are doing OK; just found a hornworm on one of the plants today: complete with wasp larvae on its back. Plucked it off pronto. Thanks for the chance to win…
EG says
I haven’t made cheese, but I have tried and love homemade cheese!
My tomatoes, which were planted late by my own fault, are all still green.
Meggsy says
How can I resist? I’ve been wanting to do this for such a long time. I rarely post comments but this brought me off the lurking shelf. Really like your blog – keep it up! Thanks for the opportunity to give cheese making a try finally.
Desarae says
Would love to make this the start of a new habit and pass the art onto my
daughters! Thanks for the chance to win. Is there anything better than
fresh and homemade anything?
Holly says
My tomatoes are going like crazy! Big two pounders every day! Sure would love some homemade mozz to go with it 🙂
Barb Gilligan says
I am so excited….CHEESE!!!
Larry says
I was at a goat farm in Hawaii a few years ago with my wife. They made goat cheese to sell. That was the best homemade that i ever had. I think I could make good home mede cheese, if I win the prize!
Topher says
Ever since seeing your post on Mozarella, I’ve been lusting after it. GOT to try it. With raw mil, of course..:0)
Christina Park says
Have never tasted home made cheese, but for years when my children were little we always made home made yoghurt! I would love try some of your recipes as I have copied them all, just need to get busy!
Nikki says
I love cheese, thanks so much for posting this “How To” for making Mozzarella. I’m very excited to try this myself!! Your blog is terrific
jay says
WOW……….that is such a long line up for one “cheese kit” as all your readers are coming out of the cyber space.
I like to play with Kefir and other fermented milk foods which I enjoy eating. I just use fresh bit of previous one as starter for the next one. Trying another way how to get more calcium would be great.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful Blog, which I am enjoying tremendously by subscription and also by perusing through for something I didn’t read yet. You are my inspiration as I started gardening seriously last year and I am turning it into my own private Paradise and obsession which drives me to do more and more. Someone walking on the street saw me working in the garden and asked if they can include me into Garden tours this year! Would they be surprised when they see my garden again. I (went crazy) …designed my backyard into real garden and filled it with everything I wished for. It makes me sooooo happy and sooooo tired. Who would have known some years ago that I will be the one with showel doing manual work, getting so dirty. I love it and I thank you for inspiring me.
Jay
MauraBuchignani says
Would love to try my hand at making fresh cheese.
Evelyn says
I have had homemade cheese that a neighbor from El Salvado made. She is a wonderful cook and the cheese tasted great!
Shirley Long says
My husband and I were traveling years ago through the small town of McAlester, Oklahoma
Someone mentioned this tiny little store that sold Italian products, but, also made cheeses. We decided to try the homemade cheese, and , am I ever glad we did…I have never tried to make cheese, but, just mentioning this experience has brought my mouth to watering…what a treat that was, and, to add to the deliciiousness of the cheeses, we also bought warm, fresh bread…we snacked in pleasure all the way home….I enjoy your Garden for the House, but, this is the first time I have posted any thing…thanks for all the great and beautiful hints, and ideas…Shirley
Regina says
I have made ricotta cheese, but not mozzarella. I plan on doing it sometime. And my tomatoes are coming along nicely. I plan to make salsa tomorrow.
Steve says
The long stretch of heat we had killed our tomatoes and a spruce sapling we’ve been nursing for a year. I’d love to have the cheese kit.
Anne says
Would love trying to make homemade cheese to accompany my husband’s incredible homemade sauce.
🙂
Rebecca A says
I have never tasted homemade cheese. Sounds good, though.
Judy says
I would love to try making cheese. I can’t get the link on your page for freezing Kale to work.
Heidi Cornwall says
How you tempt me every time with your cheese making kit. I’ve enjoyed your newsletters. Thanks for keeping them coming. I got a little overwhelmed with family so my garden is sadly neglected but now I know faster easier ways to do better. Little by little I’m getting caught up.
Suzanne K says
email subscriber, never tasted homemade cheese… YET! Only a few sad tomatoes this year, I didn’t have time to do anything when planting season came around. Fortunately, I’ve got friends who share their tomato bounty, phew!
Carolyn Lawlor says
I have the tomatoes and basil and would love the cheese making kit for homemade mozzarella. Then I would have all the ingredients for a favorite – caprese.
heather andersen says
Hello ~ I have not ever tasted homemade cheese but bet it is amazing. My garden is coming along beautifully ~ the tomatos are small but starting too turn yellow so we are on the way to fresh tomatos which makes me smile.
Bonnie says
Tonight we are having caprese salad. The basil and tomatoes are out of the garden.
I would love to make my own cheese instead of buying Costco’s.
P.S. I love your cheese danish!
Sam says
I’ve never tasted home made cheese, but I’ve always wanted to make my own! Does anyone know if these kits are available in Australia?
Betty-Anne Bod says
I always look forward to reading your newsletter. I feel like we could be friends and I have learned so much from you. Thank you!.
My cherry tomatoes are doing great. We are using them to make zucchini boats,
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but would love to learn.how to make it. If I wasn’t working full time, I would definately try to make everything possible. I just got an ice cream attachment for my kitchenaid from my family for my birthday. Can’t wait to try it out!
Erin says
I have been dying to try homemade cheese for ages, but just haven’t taken the time to order cheese making equipment. What a great giveaway!
Katey says
I have never had homemade cheese, so I can’t wait to try it! As for the garden, the rogue tomatoes (I didn’t plan them, they arose out of the compost in a most decisive will to live) are still green, but looking good. Broccoli is still tiny, onions and peppers have been blessing us. The thing I’m looking for now is some seed for cover crops, crimson clover or sudan grass. Any suggestions where I can find any? Thanks for sharing all the wonderful info and I love reading through the comments, your readers have great wisdom to share, too!
Adrianna Semione says
Yes I have it was from someone at the local farmers market. My tomatoes are doing ok now it’s been a learning experience growing them in Southern Arizona compared to GA and Northern NY. Looks like I may have some though by the end of the growing season *fingers crossed*!
Debbie Foy says
I have never tasted homemade cheese, but my hubby and I decided we are going to try our hand at it soon. We like giving homemade stuff @ Christmas. 1st time gardening and it will be raised beds next year. Too much clay in the soil & grasshopper got everything. Got a few good sweet grape tomatoes that I dubbed “garden candy” – not many made it to the house!!
Love your site and can’t wait to start getting my raised bed together this fall. Thanks for all the ideas.
connie says
Never tried homemade cheese but sounds good! 🙂
Lori Kensler says
I have never tasted homemade cheese so I’m very intrigued.
I only have 1 tomato plant. I was just outside watering and I probably have a half dozed green tomatoes. Once they begin to ripen, I’ll make salsa with my jalapeno and pepper plants.
Pennie Devaney says
I love your newsletters with your recipes and gardening tips.
I have tasted homemade cheese. There is nothing like it. Great!
Would love to make my own.
Jack Soldano says
Just this week my neice suggested we try making a homemade cheese together. Now as recent transplants to central Florida we have yet to track down a rennett supply. This kit would do the trick. Pick us Kevin!
Thanks for your fun newsletter.
J.L. says
The tomatoes are almost done for this year–okra is going strong.
Krystal says
I’m a loyal newsletter reader. Thanks for the opportunity to be entered into the drawing for the cheesemaking kit. I’ve been considering getting a goat for this very thing. I suppose I should start with the kit first to see how it goes, though! 😉 Thanks again!
Roseann says
Hi! I have never had homemade cheese and the kit would be a wonderful opportunity to try some! Thanks so much for the great info in your newsletters!
Barbara says
Sounds like something I would like to try. What could be better than homemade cheese and tomatoes from the garden. Heavenly!
Michael Ferraro says
Kevin;
Here’s my big “HELLO”!!! Yes i tasted home made cheese back in the early “50”s my grand mothers used to make it themselves, but i haven’t made any.
As for my garden I wasn’t able to get one in this year except for two parsley plants that a lady in town was throwing out because they had bolted. I recycled them by cutting them back, then stuck them in the ground and “voila” It’s new parsley again. The only other thing we have is nasturtiums and onion and garlic chive volunteers that come up every year.
The plants that I have would make a tasty salad with fresh home made cheese. I hope Loretta(my wife), “Luna”(my service dog) and I win.
I have been a subscriber for a long time and enjoy your site. I share it with all I can because it has such “down home” useful information and good recipes. we also are all envious of you and your partner because of that beautiful that house you have. Thank you for the tours, they show us what is possible with vision and hard work.
Loretta, “Luna” and Michael
Loretta, “Luna” and Michael
Cath Avalon says
Hi 🙂 I’ve never had homemade cheese but I am changing my diet to organic wholefoods and making my own preserves etc and I would LOVE to try homemade cheese <3
Pssst…I've grown my own mushrooms before and loved it and am going to do it again….
vonda says
I love cheese but have never had fresh homemade cheese. Thanks for the tip on how to freeze leafy spices. I have basil to do soon.
loura says
Hello, I make cheese alot!
Beth Britton says
Hello! I love reading your news letters. They are entertaining as well and informative!
I have not had good luck with tomatoes this year. That being said this is only our second year trying anything. Seems like a lot of our food struggled. Sunflowers and rhubarb and mushrooms did fantastic though.
I have never had freshly made cheese. I would sure like to try it though!
God Bless!
Beth
Joy says
I’ve made yogurt with raw Guernsey milk. I’d love to try cheese!
Sister & I made 12 1/2 pints of very spicy tomato jam with citrus & basil yesterday. Definitely NOT for breakfast toast!
Jackie Myers says
Kevin, I enjoy your weekly newsletter and have learned quite a few things. I have never made cheese before and frankly really did not know that they had a kit to do it. So far this has been a really hot and dry season for us here in lower western Michigan. My tomatoes are finally turning ripe although with all the hot weather I thought they would turn ripe alot earlier. It has been a frustrating season for me because I love to garden but the heat has kept me inside mostly. I think I am going to have to downsize my gardens to make it easier to work full time and have a garden. I have always loved landscaping, gardens and decorating. Love your home and your gardens. Sincerely , Jackie.
Wendy says
Hi Kevin, my friend Maggie c. Is how I first got your email newsletter. It’s great. I shop at two wonderful farm stores so I have tasted cheeses made by friends, but I never before thought I might be able to make my own! Can’t wait! Hope I win!
Wendy
Judy Kropf says
Love fresh mozzarella, but have never tasted fresh ricotta, and have never made either! Always wanted to do cheesemaking! My tomatoes aren’t doing great, but there are some awesome artisanal ones that we can get. Thanks for your great newsletter, Judy
Deanna says
I have never had homemade cheese, that I know of. I can’t wait to try it someday. 😀
Christine Hollman says
I have never tried homemade cheese. I have a lot of tomatoes but am waiting for them to turn red. Subscribe to your newsletter and LOVE IT! So glad I found you with your practical tips!!
Joan says
Hello, I have never had homemade cheese,sounds wonderful, as for my tomatoes down here in Louisiana they did great early, but the rain and heat has taken it toil on them .Getting ready to start a new crop for the fall.
Pam L says
I’ve never had homemade cheese – but want too! My tomatoes are at thier end! Summer heat is more than they can bear – but hoping to have fall tomatoes. Have lots of butternut squash already growing – suprise – must have been mixed in with something else!
susieQ says
Love cheese. this would be great to teach the grandkids before school starts. Thank you soooooo much for the opportunity!!! Q
Amy Simonson says
I haven’t ever tasted homemade cheese but I would love to! I’m totally into making (or growing) as much of my own food as possible. My tomatoes, unfortunately, aren’t doing so well. I decided to try an heirloom Striped Roma this year and was so excited to have a beautiful green tomato about the size of an egg ripening. Sadly, it became deer food along with the plant. Now all I have are bare limbs coming off the main shoot 🙁 Oh well!
Ellen R says
I ate homemade chevre (goat cheese) a few days ago and loved it. Thanks for the opportunity to win a kit so I can make my own cheese!
Hank Wolgast says
Sorry to say I have never eaten home made cheese of any kind. Thanks for giving me a chance to make my own.
Mary says
homemade cheese? No. Tomatoes? Not growing–drought. And bugs.
Colleen says
I’ve never had home-made mozzarella before, but I know how I’d serve it: nestled between thick slabs of red, ripe tomatoes, drizzled with good olive oil and dusted with sea salt.
I’d have to buy the tomatoes, unfiotunately. This drought has been cruel.
Song says
A gargantuan thanks to you, your lovely site, and all the hard work you lovingly put in to it. Your generosity is inspiring. Thanks to you I have a forest of tomatoes and lovely pearly fruit coming alone beautifully.
I am a cheese addict and would love to try to make my own.
Wesley Tyler says
nope never “homemade ” but i do buy the good cheese at a farmers market and its local to South Carolina, Happy Cow Creamery
Jen says
I can’t wait til the cooler weather comes so I can make tons of mozzarella! As I’ve said before, once you’ve had the “from scratch” cheese you’ll never want to buy the stuff from the grocery store ever again. And I don’t know how I missed your Greek style yogurt recipe…my chickens love yogurt (and it’s very good for them) so this is a must-try for me. 🙂
Trish Kennedy says
I’ve never had homemade cheese, but a friend and I have been talking about it and reading up on it (including your articles!). I would be soooo excited if I won this! Fingers crossed!
Robyn says
I have never tasted homemade cheeses, but I would love to, soooo if I don’t win this kit. I’ll just have to purchase one and try it for myself. I never thought it could be so easy or take just 30 minutes- I have to admit, I am the skeptic.
Susan N says
I haven’t had homemade cheese before, but I would definitely give it a go if I were to win the kit.
tea4too0 says
I have tasted and loved homemade cream cheese. Would love to venture into the world of homemade goodness.
T
Cate Hesser says
I took a mozzarella making class at my local co-op and LOVED IT. Amazing how different it is!
Shelley says
I’ve had home-made goat cheese (not made by me) and I really need to try making some, although my husband does not want to add a goat to our mix of 2 cats, 1 Jack Russell Terrier, 2 Labrador Retrievers and 7 hens 🙂 I’ll be happy to try your kit… and our tomatoes are doing great! Heirlooms all and all producing. We’ve been using a drip irrigation system faithfully during this overly hot and dry summer here in the Bluegrass!
cathy fox says
hi kevin. love your site cathy fox
carol says
Homemade mozzarella, homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil make an amazing Caprese salad. I love this newsletter!
Joanne says
I have never had homemade cheese and would love to try it as well as make it myself.
Vicki says
Never in life eaten homemade cheese
So I will say, “Pick me..oh please!”
Fresh on homemade pizza
or even lasagna
would make me dance
in my crazy pants!
Ok…enough! My tomatoes…thank God for friends who share their crop. Mine were eaten by something…probably Japanese Beetles. The four tomatoes that grew look like green ping pong balls!
Frances says
Just started getting my place ready for planting this summer. I have planted a few things my mother gave me, but nothing eatable yet. Hoping to put in a raised garden for next year. Wish me lost of luck.
Frances says
Sorry, I forgot to post about the cheese. I have never had tasted homemade cheese. My husband and I are really wanting to try to make some.
dawn says
i have never had the opportunity to try a taste of homemade cheese. Would welcome the chance!
Dee says
I get your emails and enjoy reading – love what you did with your pool area! I’ve never tasted home made cheese and want to try it! Thanks for the opportunity!!! Woohoooooooooooo!!!
Sue McCabe says
I have never tasted homemade chesse but it sounds wonderful, would love to try it. Also, I have to tell you that your newsletter is my favorite and look forward to reading it each week and have told friends how informative it is…thank you so much for all the good recipes and great info you provide I appreciate you and the effort you put forth to put out the newsletter…
JoAnne Matzke says
I have never tasted homemade cheese. It does sound wonderful! I subscribe to your newsletter, and I love receiving it.
John Billiris says
This sounds so interesting, I’ve never tried homemade cheese
Deliamo says
We’ve been making very, very basic cheese – we’d love to try the mozzarella and expand our repertoire!
Nancy Oden says
Kevin Lee – Whoa! With eleventy-trillion other people vying for this cheese-making kit, I probably don’t have much chance, but thought I’d try anyway. I’ve had homemade cheese and love it, but have never done it myself.
I’ve been busy picking (it’s kind of pesky work, but…) Black Currants for a few days. I’m going to try mixing them with Elderberries (ripening soon) and making a sauce, or perhaps even wine. I’ll use some of my neighbor’s maple syrup for sweetening………
Then, if I win this kit, I’ll make the mozzarrella or ricotta and put some of the fruit sauce on it – how does that sound?
LisaF says
Well, getting to make my own is looking like a long shot, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to try. So thank you. I’ve been getting Stupice and Sasha Altai tomatoes for a couple of weeks now, and should be getting my first Big Beef this week. Bet they would taste wonderful with some homemade mozzarella!
Tracy Sbresny says
I have never tasted homemade mozzarella, but you picture is making me soooooo hungry, it looks great!
My tomatoes, veggie plants in general, are way behind where they should be because of our strange weather this year. Everyhting is just really starting to grow well so it looks like it will be a late garden this year. All in all that’s not so bad, I love to can in the fall.
We did all heirloom tomoatoes this year so I can’t wait to try them.
Bev says
I would dearly love to make some homemade cheese, my husband is a cheeseaholic and today is his birthday to boot. My garden is doing great, good thing cuz our grocery budget needed the extra boost it has given us. Lots of beets, squash, onions, garlic, etc. Only a few tomatoes, they are a little harder to grow here.
Edie says
I’ve only tasted homemade cottage cheese, but would love to make mozzarella!
JEAN says
I’ve never made cheese before, so I hope I win the giveaway kit. Thanks for doing this, I really enjoy your newsletters.
JANET CSWERCKO says
Have never had homemade mozzarella but anything made from scratch is better in my mind. Living here in florida we are about to start our tomato and other plants for the 2nd planting of the year. We have made our own compost for this years garden, hope it will be bountiful.
Marjie Geiger says
So far I’ve made homemade yogurt, creme fraiche, butter and buttermilk, but not cheese. I love mozzarella and ricotta. Because of health issues, my diet is mostly dairy, so the cheese kit would defiinately get me started toward more healthful cheese. Thanks for the opportunity. Also much appreciate the newsletter, photos, recipes, etc. Gardening, canning and enjoying our own food is so rewarding for spirit, soul and body.
Eva says
I love receiving your weekely emails – I try as many of your recipes and tips as I can manage. I too have dabbled in making homemade cheese and the store bought kinds cannot compare.
Thanks for all the work you put into your blog! I love it!
Susan says
Kevin,
My dinner last night was mozzarella with basil and a tomato (from my garden). Oh, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I have never tasted homemade cheese. I love mozzarella, ricotta, you name it, just about any cheese, even cottage cheese! As for tomatoes, unfortunately last night was my last garden tomato, (just after some heavy rains about 2 weeks ago) temps went right back up into 100+ days. This particular garden is up near my house and it gets some shade and plenty sun, in fact, I’ve always had great luck with this spot. These tomato plants are extremely huge and I had to cage the bottoms to keep them from falling over. All of a sudden the tomato plants just stopped blooming, absolutely no blooms! The only other items in this particular planter are herbs, just basil, oregano and sage. Any thoughts or suggestions? P.S. Love your Facebook page too! And, thanks for having this contest, my best
Nikki says
I’ve never had homemade cheese but would certainly love to try it! Where did you purchase your kit from?
Peggy Glatt says
I would love to get the kit to give to my daughter and granddaughters. Their first vegetable garden is doing wonderfully, and the homemade cheese with the veggies will be awesome!!! We are all cheese lovers!
Katie Sciarrino says
Homemade cheese—never. But I want to! My tomatoes are tall and very green, but I have high hopes for a fall ripen. Love your newsletter!
Laura says
Hi Kevin,
Homemade cheese has been on my ‘to make’ list since reading about it on your site ..without a doubt the flavors & texture would be incomparable to store bought!
Thanks for the opportunity for this kit..
Our tomatoes are just about ready, we’ve snacked on cherry tomatoes…umm umm I can just imagine the fresh flavors of homemade/homegrown mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, & bread in a fresh from the oven bruschetta drizzled with ev olive oil—oh my my!!!
Alison Skelton says
I would love a chance to try home made mozzarella, so I can convert my beloved, who claims not to like the regular stuff.
Teri D says
I have never had home made cheese and only had fresh mozzarella once. I’d love to try my hand at it! I’m hoping my tomatoes will come out soon. One plant has many green ones, but the Mr Stripey one has been very sluggish at even producing flowers. Really wanted that one to grow well. That is the trouble I’ve had with pot growing. But I love reading the newsletter. I’m fairly new to you!
Melissa says
Hello~ I haven’t had homemade cheese before. I’d love to try it. It seems like it would be s good summer experiment for my son and I to try!
KGray says
I have never had home made cheese but I am intrigued at the possibility of making it myself!
Jaycee says
Greetings Kevin,
I’ve been curious about making cheese, especially after your greek yogurt post! This would be fantastic!
Also, no tomatoes for me as I just bought a new house and am overwhelmed by the acre of overgrown land right now! Your weekly newsletter helps me stay focused and look to the future!
Thanks!
Cinda says
I’ve only recently found your site and love it. I’m not subscribing to your newsletter because I’ve subscribed to your feed through GoogleReader. I have not tasted any homemade cheese but am close to The Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft, VA, and am sure that is the next-best thing. Would love to try my hand at homemade cheese, so please count me in on the drawing for the kit and keep up the good work on your site!
susan says
Never made cheese so this is intriguing. My first venture this year into vegetable gardening has been quite a learning experience. Have loved loved loved my tomatoes and zucchini. Thanks for being a good teacher!
Wendy S. Delmater says
Back up in NY, on Long Island in the San Remo portion of Kings Park or the downtown of Lindenhurst, I was able to buy homemade cheese in all the Italian delis. Since I moved to semi-rural SC there are lots of cows, but no fresh mozz! Oh noes!
I would totally make my own if I had a kit.
Debra Olger says
I would love to win this, I have never tasted homemade cheese but am a cheese lover and I just know I will love to eat it if I ever have the opportunit y to make some.
Tonya says
I would like to try something different as homemade cheese.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Susan H. says
I’d never eaten homemade cheese but would love to try it. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Jan Evancho says
My garden is exploding in color and substance! And this is my first year going totally organic, feeding with only compost tea and staying chemical-free! So far, so good; only a few nibbles from slugs. As long as they don’t take my portion, I’m glad to share. I have tasted homemade mozz and loved it–so creamy and more buttery tasting than the commercial brands. I hope I win! Thanks again for your informative newsletter and the fun little giveaway opportunities.
Marie4SoL says
Kevin,
Thank you for your generous offer to share this cheese-making kit. I’ve never had homemade cheese but have made my own butter plenty of times and have made some vegan cheese a couple times.
Thanks again for sharing this kit. Your posts are informative and a lot of fun to read.
Good luck to everyone!
Ros says
I’ve tried to make Farmers cheese but don’t know if it turned out the way it’s supposed to. It didn’t taste like the store bought kind. I’d love to win this!
Lisa says
I have recently moved to an area that seems to be lacking in the homemade mozzarella and was just chatting with a friend about making my own. Guess I need a kit!
Erin says
I love your news letter…very informative..and inspiring!!! And no I haven’t made or tasted homemade cheese…but would love too….I’m into gardening…veggies as well as flowers…been busy w/ both…making good food is important to me and my family…I hope to share some homemade cheese very soon…I have all your recipes…would make lovely gifts for everyone…thank you so much…God Bless…and have a great day, Erin from Eastern Oregon!!!!
Rita Galloway says
I tasted my mother’s when she was alive but I haven’t tasted it again in 17 years. My tomatoes seem to be producing a small fruit but the vines are seven ft tall.I ain’t complaining, they have kept me from buying from the supermarket this year. Love you blog.
T. says
I’ve never had home made Ricotta, but I have had fresh mozzarella sliced with a tomato still warm from the sun, just picked from my garden, sprinkled with ribbons of fragrant basil and drizzled with some fruity EVOO… OMG, fabulous!!!!
Melissa C. says
I am not aware of ever tasting homemade cheese, but I have bought cheese at my local farmers market, not sure if that counts…
Sheila says
Enjoy your emails and recipes and all the information you share..would love to try the cheese…never made it or tasted it before.
Maggie says
My friend Julia made cheese for over 50 years. And I got to taste almost all of them. She used both goat and cow milk. Sadly I did not learn from her. Now I would love to learn and make cheese for her as she has dementia and can no longer do so. Thanks for a wonderful site.
Stephanie Goff says
Hello. Tomatoes finally after all summer.
Bonnie says
My 19 year old daughter is just learning to make cheese with our fresh goats milk. We just started milking and love it and the baby goats. I am going to try to make your yogurt this week. We can’t wait to experiment with different cheeses. Thanks for all your great info.
Devon says
Yummmmmm, cheese!
Maggie says
I would LOVE to win this!!! I’ve never tried homemade cheese, and would love to make it and try it!
Anne says
I’ve never tasted homemade cheese. I’m a cheese lover and I’m sure eating it would give me a whole new perspective. Would love to make some and perhaps research ways to store and preserve it (unless it gets eaten first!)
I’m in an extreme drought area. I do water my tomatoes faithfully but their production hasn’t been bountiful. I’m grateful that I haven’t experienced this form of inner rot that other local gardeners have due to the drought.
I have mostly native plants and herbs which I plant for bumble bees and other pollinators. It’s been a difficult year for blooming and plant growth. I water a lot to preserve and foster blooms so they have enough to eat. It’s been a hard year for tomatoes and every other living thing. I pray this will not happen again for a long time.
deb says
I really enjoy your newsletter. You have some many tips & share a lot of ideas. Homemade cheese has been on my to do list. This would be great. Keep up the great work
Pat says
I had homemade Mozarella one time many years ago. I had always loved Mozarella before, but fresh took the flavors to a whole new dimension for me.
We have had problems with our vegetables doing well here in Michigan, too. Even with faithful watering, the heat seems to have been a large factor in bloom production. I grow garden huckleberries for making jam and it looks like my production will be about half what it should be, even though the plants look very good. My climbing green beans have massive plants, but very few flowers and not a single green bean yet. Perplexing, to say the least…….and fruits like wild blackberries….well, if you didn’t get the early pickings, the later pickings are much, much smaller and seedier, so for jelly purposes that’s a LOT of berries for the same amount of jelly. We also have some wild blueberries on a piece of property and those just dried up before they were fully ripe.
Love the newsletter and have shared some of your ideas with friends….and told them to get themselves signed up! 🙂
karen says
hello
Lindy Felix says
I love your newsletter. and YES I am fortunate to get fresh goat chevre and ricotta weekly from friends. Last year one friend led several friends in making mozerella….YUMM> My garden is doing will even though we are having lots of rain…Hoping I am the lucky winner, and will be making cheese here soon. thanks for the opportunity!!
Shera VanGoor says
I have made cheese with my keifer and herbs. Makes a nice simple spread.
My garden is doing better this year. Straw around my tomatoes seems to have helped my problem of tomato plants dying off early. Keeping the moisture in and soil off is really making a difference. I must go can some green beans now. Thanks for the opportunity to win the cheese making kit.
ginger Porter says
Homemade cheese using your recipes. Love the cheese and love your newsletter. Now about my garden–it’s hot—it’s dry–the drip is doing the job–BUT the insects are doing theirs. The blooms are plentiful but the vegs are meek. Farmers market is great.
Ard says
Long ago in West Virginia, I tasted homemade cheese. now, I would love to make some myself!
Karen Mohammad says
Yes, when my middle daugther was in #rd grade she made cheese as her Sience Fair project.
Wish I could upload this pics, she was so small and cute,
Cynna says
Thank you for a wonderful blog! Homemade cheese is delicious and I would love to be able to make it myself. The tomatoes in my garden are okay this year–a bit confused because we’ve had early summer rain, followed by drought and heat waves. But they’re still delicious!
Pam says
Would love to try this kit – I’ve never made homemade cheese!
Joy says
Happy, happy Joy, Joy, I’ve made milk based ricotta and it’s good but not the tasty, rich, creamy, buttery ricotta I remember from home. I haven’t had a really great fresh mozzarella since I left Italy. Making both a wonderful fresh mozzarella and a ricotta would bring back a lot of memories and just be heavenly for me!
Lisa Fernandez says
I have never made my own cheese, but would love to do since mozzarella and ricotta are my two fav’s right behind cheddar.
Karen Kimsey says
Oh my word, a chance to make my own cheese? I would love it!
Dale Gasque says
My tomatoes are begging for some homemade cheese. You are so kind to give away another kit.
Denise in NJ says
Never tried homemade cheese, but would love to.
Tomato Report: Sun Gold and Sweet 100 are producing more tomatoes than we can consume. Fourth of July is doing well also. The larger tomatoes and Amish Paste are producing enough to make about a quart of sauce each week. This is a pretty good year for me with tomatoes – the past few years they’ve blighted.
Veggie Report: Spinach was good, broccoli was a bust and kale is still going strong. Green beans are doing terrible this year. I’m lucky to get a sandwich baggie full each week. This is usually my bumper crop but not this year. Cucumbers are almost nonexistant. I got about a half dozen but the rest are rotting before they grow 2 inches long. Carrots are doing well but the larger ones are starting to get eaten by insects. Garlic was huge! Potato tops are still green and growing.
Fruit Report: We had a bumper crop of strawberries this year. Raspberries produced a little less than usual. Lost my apples to fire blight, and my blueberries to the derecho. Three cantaloupes so far, but only about the size of a softball. There is one very large snow melon and a few smaller ones still on the vines. The watermelon are just starting to form although they have grown well out and around their raised bed. Second crop of raspberries is starting, and I can barely keep up with the elderberries.
Herb Report: Let’s just say that I seriously need to start cutting and dehydrating! Sage, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, chives, basil, and stevia are all doing fantastic.
Bette K says
Hi Kevin, love your site and you are the one that introduced me to the wonderful taste of homemade cheese tho I’ve never made the mozerella. My tomatos are doing ok considering how dry we’ve been, we are getting plenty for eating but not enough to really freeze any. But nothing makes a meal complete like a few slices of a big red home grown tomato. I would also like to win because Friday Aug 19th is my birthday and it would make a great b-day present.
Bette
Darcie Rzomp says
Kevin,
I’m so glad I found your fabulous website. Love your house, your gardens and all your recipes. I have never made cheese before but would like to. There’s nothing like fresh mozzeralla and home grown tomatoes and basil. Thank you again. I look forward to all your newsletters.
Darcie
Ted says
Kevin,
Thank you for all the great info and recipes, have not had the opportunity to try homemade cheese before it sounds delicious. Looking forward to your next newsletter.
Ann says
My sister makes homemade goat milk cheese. Yummy! The rabbits have eaten everything but the zucchini and tomatoes. The tomatoes are loaded with fruit, just waiting for them to ripen.
Syl Grant says
I have never tasted homemade cheese but I would love to try some or more than some.
My tomatoes are being overrun by tomato borer and I’m now picking them while they are still green and making and canning green onion chutney which would probably taste great with homemade cheese. 🙂
Abe Yonder says
Thanks to you I did make cheese for the first time, but now i am searching for a source of real cows milk from a dairy. Store bought is too expensive and watered down.
My tomatoes are doing good, I have 66 plants from the original 24, using your method of saving the suckers for more plants. These are Missouri pink love apples that I am growing for seed to sell to the local heirloom company at Bakersville.
I also have other tomatoes and some that I have never seen before, tomatoes that look like long yellow chili peppers with a head on them like a penis. I call them Brussels Boy.
I have a question, can you freeze tomatoes and then use the seeds later? I have so much to do and can’t get around to fermenting and saving all my seeds right now. Please tell me if anyone knows if i can freeze them for later. –Abe
Michele says
Mmmmmm, I would love to try homemade cheese …
anita says
i’ve made cottage cheese. Would be fun to try the other cheeses!!!!
Carla says
I have never made cheese at home, but would love to try. I’ve been getting your newsletter for several months now and love them. They are always full of fantastic information and your little comments crack me up. With each edition I have always learned something new. Thanks for all your hard work, I really love getting each one.
Melissa Landon says
I have never had homemade cheese before. A quick stop at a favorite Wisconsin dairy for fresh cheese curds (still warm and squeeky!) is the closest I have come. I have been thinking of cbeesemaking for a while now…..maybe it’s time to start!
As far as tomatoes…we are having a bumper crop. We live in Iowa and the drought has hit us hard. Thanks to hard work, and lots of watering our tomatoes are doing great! Our japanese purple tomatoes are my favorites, along with the heirloom “pineapple” variety and some “german johnson” The hot weather has actually produced a pleathora of these and eggplant!
Sharon says
Haven’t ever had homemade cheese.Your blog is my favorite gardening/home blog. I too am a houseplant addict.
Deborah says
Love homemade cheese, but haven’t tried my hand at it yet. and it is not tomato season yet, have to start my seedlings soon.
Mary B says
Hello!
What could be better than fresh mozzarella?
(well,….fresh homemade mozzarella with fresh homegrown tomatoes,of course!)
Although I enjoyed several varieties of tomatoes earlier this summer, most of my plants have stopped producing in this Texas heat. I just planted my fall tomatoes 2 weeks ago so guess I’ll have to wait patiently for some more…. :o)
Louise Brouillette says
i have never tasted homemade cheese! I subscribe to your newletter and follow you on FB and Twitter.
Jeff says
Never tried it but it sounds like fun!
Joanie says
Good morning! I have never tasted home-made cheese. Since I am trying to stick to a diet of natural foods, I would love to win your kit.
Leslie says
Homemade cheese would be dee-LISH with our home-grown tomatoes and basil!
Laura @ WyldeThyme says
Just subscribed!
Andrea says
I just love homemade cheese! I have never had the opportunity to make it but did have friends that did and now that I have moved to a new home to start a new life with my sweetheart, making it does like the perfect way to improve my culinary skills !! My homegrown tiny tim tomatoes would be a good with freshly sliced moz cheese! Yum! I would love to win a kit to get going…
Julie says
I am excited at the possibility of making our own cheese! My tomatoes are just starting to really come in. I have a few Roma plants and lots of volunteers which I encouraged because I didn’t have my act together in time to start seeds. The volunteer tomatoes are bigger than the cherry varieties but not a big slicer. They still taste delicious!
Elizabeth Usher says
Wow, this list looks like it gets pretty long! I have never eaten homemade cheese, but I am a big fan of Mozzarella, so tasting some homemade mozzarella would be great!
Tammy says
I’ve never been fortunate enough to try homemade cheese, but would like to. I LOVE your blog and read it WHENEVER you post something new. You always come up with economical ways to do beautiful and extravagant things. Keep up the good work.
P.S. My tomatoes are not thriving… boo hoo.
Paula in Oh says
I have never tried homemade cheeses before but am open to any food adventures! As for the tomatoes — this summer’s heat has been a challenge for my potted tomatoes but F-I-L’s garden is overly productive as always. That man has the greenest thumb!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
This giveaway is now closed.
The winner has been notified by email.
Stay tuned…there’s another giveaway coming soon!
Ted in Yelm, WA says
Hi Kevin, you have a great website! there are many local cheese makers here and the homemade cheese is the best, I have thought about making my own cheese (and saving $$$) but have not. Even if I do not win, I will start due to your enthusiasm!!
Carol S says
No, I have never tasted Homemade cheese. My Tomatoes are doing Awesome!! Have a bunch of Heirlooms that have been producing 1lb + size tomatoes!! Would love to eat them with some homemade cheese!
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