Canning cheese

I was reading Julia Crow’s question about canning cheese and your answer made me think of something I recently learned about but have not tried yet. I’ve always wanted to make melted cheese for mac and cheese or nachos from ‘fancier’ and oily cheeses, but they never melt right. They always separate and never get melty.
 
Then I found information about sodium citrate. It sounds like I’ll be able to use most if not all cheeses for my fancy mac ‘n’ cheese. It makes me wonder if it would aid in canning oilier and fancier cheeses. You can find it on Amazon and many other places. Here’s a link to an article about it: <a href=”http://modernistcuisine.com/2013/05/science-helps-craft-the-perfect-mac-and-cheese/”>Modernist Cusine</a>
 
Here’s a video about it too: <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOLgLi5ZJOY”>Youtube</a> .
 
Just an idea I thought might be looking into. I don’t have the space to put up cheese right now, but would certainly send you some sodium citrate in the name of science if you wanted to give it a try.

Russell Hall
Austin, Texas

It’s sure worth a try. Anyone who uses it, will you let us know how it worked for you? — Jackie

Canning labels

Not a question today but a little canning idea I use. When I receive junk mail I cut off the response envelope’s glued flap. I can then cut this into 4 or 5 “lick & stick” canning labels for my jars. They come off in water and are free! I see them for sale in the stores — they aren’t as pretty, but sure serve the purpose as well as save money. Just wanted to pass this along.

Judith Almand
Brandon, Florida

Great idea, Judi! Aren’t we homesteaders a creative, penny-pinching bunch? I love it. — Jackie

3 COMMENTS

  1. Russell, that is an interesting article. I did not notice a problem with the unsealed jars not melting properly when I used them in mac & cheese but I am not a perfectionist with mine. It was nice & crusty from the extra fat which I like.
    I haven’t had time to can more cheese. I will try a similar cheese & go back to the 8 oz jars. I have successfully canned ( they sealed) gorgonzola & bleu cheese. I don’t know how they taste but needed it out of the freezer.

  2. I do the same, write on the lid with a perm marker, unless it’s my re-useable Tattler lids then I just write on a piece of freezer or masking tape and stick on the lid.

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