Yogurt "Cream Cheese"

We eat a lot of cream cheese, and I mean a lot.

Since it is such a big part of our every day diet, I wanted it to be as healthy as possible so I decided to make it myself. It is unbelievable how simple this is. Here is what you need: 

1 quart organic whole milk yogurt

A bowl

Cheese cloth 

Some string

I scalded the cheese-cloth in boiling water after cutting it to the size I wanted. Lay the cheese-cloth in the bowl and dump in the yogurt. Gather up the sides and tie with the string, then hand the yogurt over the bowl. I used the knob of one of my kitchen cabinets. 

After 24 hours, this is what it looks like:

Add a little sea salt and mix gently, do not use a food processor to mix, a fork will do.

Use as you would regular cream cheese.

If you want an idea of what to use all that left over whey in, see the Mayo recipe.

Lacto-fermented Mayonnaise

This is a recipe from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.

Ingredients:

1 pastured whole egg, at room temperature

1 egg yolk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon Dijon-type mustard

1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon whey

¾ – 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Generous pinch sea salt

Mix the egg, egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, whey and sea salt.  Blend for 30 seconds. I used a hand blender but you could use your food processor.

Add the olive oil very slowly! Drizzle it to a very thin stream, do not pour it in! I only needed 3/4 of olive oil. Add more if needed.

Taste to see if you want more sea salt and lemon juice.

If you added the whey, set the mayonnaise on the counter, covered, for 7 hours, and then refrigerate.  It needs this time to activate the lacto-fermentation.  It should keep for several months in the refrigerator.  Without whey, use the mayonnaise up within 2 weeks. 

What I used some of my Mayo for; Salmon Salad

I used some left over broiled salmon, pull off the skin:

Break it into very small pieces 

Add mayo and seasonings to taste, I like to add minced onion, dill, salt and pepper.

Top some sprouted bread with baby greens and your delicious salad, yummy!