Enjoy this blend of smooth cheese and fresh herbs on your morning bagel, fresh veggies, or crackers! It’s the perfect savory compliment to snacks and dinner and so easy to make.
Herb cream cheese spread is such a versatile addition to any snack plate, potluck, or everyday meal. You can change up the herbs depending on the season, and swap out something like mayo to add flavor to any dish.
So why not switch up the cheese you use?
Farmer’s cheese is a softer cheese and can easily be subbed for cream cheese. You can make farmer’s cheese from fresh milk with no prior cheesemaking knowledge. And what is even better? You don’t have to follow a lengthy cheese recipe. Farmer’s cheese is ready in an hour!
If you’re ready to test your cooking skills and incorporate cheesemaking into your everyday life, this is the perfect way to do just that.
What herbs would you use? Comment on this post and let me know!
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What is Farmer’s Cheese?
Farmer’s cheese is a soft cheese made from curdling milk, straining the whey, and pressing the curds.
You may have heard it called cottage cheese. And while that is true, farmer’s cheese is technically a variation of cottage cheese.
Cottage cheese usually has milk mixed back into it to give it a lighter texture. Farmer’s cheese has been pressed, therefore the finished product is firmer.
Even though it is a pressed cheese, it does have a crumbly texture.
Farmer’s cheese can also be created from a variety of milks, like cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk. This makes it a dish almost anyone can make!
How to Make Garlic and Herb Farmer’s Cheese
Over medium-low heat, bring a half gallon of milk to 190 degrees Fahrenheit in a large saucepan. It’s important you don’t let your milk boil or scald! So be sure to stir occasionally.
When your milk reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the milk from the heat and stir in your acid. My favorite to use is white vinegar, but you can also use lemon juice.
Stir your milk and acid, cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
When your curds and whey have separated, strain your whey through a cheesecloth into a large bowl.
When the whey has drained, press your cheese curds to remove any lingering whey and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let your farmer’s cheese come to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
Before storing your farmer’s cheese in your refrigerator for up to a week, pulse 8 ounces of farmer’s cheese with about 2 tablespoons of milk in a food processor (maybe more, depending on how smooth you want your cheese spread.)
When your farmer’s cheese is smooth, transfer to a separate bowl and stir in your spices. You can do a variety of savory spices, but I recommend garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried parsley, and dried basil. Scroll to the end of this blog post for a printable recipe card.
Spread your garlic and herb farmer’s cheese on toasted breads, and crackers, or use it as a dip recipe for veggies.
Can I Substitute Cream Cheese for Farmer’s Cheese?
Yes! Cream cheese is a perfectly good substitute for farmer’s cheese in this recipe. The texture of the cream cheese may be smoother than farmer’s cheese, so if you’re looking for a certain end result in your dish, you need to consider that before making the switch.
The ratio (8 ounces) to the measured herbs is about the same.
Sour cream or ricotta cheese would also make appropriate substitutions for farmer’s cheese. However, sour cream lends itself better to a vegetable dip.
The name brand Boursin Cheese is a brand of creamy cheese available in a variety of flavors. I have never worked with Boursin Cheese, so I don’t know if it would be a fair swap to make and use in other recipes.
Other Recipe Substitutions
Fresh herbs are always an option for recipes. I just happen to always have dried herbs on hand.
If you want to substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs, you could finely chop fresh chives or fresh thyme.
Instead of garlic powder, you could substitute fresh garlic cloves (minced).
With any fresh herbs, you may need more fresh herbs than you do dried herbs. That rule also applies to fresh garlic.
Other Uses for Garlic and Herb Farmer’s Cheese Spread
This spread will be right at home on any charcuterie board.
It also would work as a savory way to take toasted English muffins and your morning bagel to the next level!
Since the texture is very similar to ricotta cheese, I also recommend using it as an addition to any beloved Italian dishes, like lasagna, soups, or other baked pasta like ziti.
Since this is a spread, it may even be worth trying on garlic bread! Slather a loaf or slice of homemade bread with butter, garlic, and herb farmer’s cheese, and top with mozzarella cheese.
Broil until the mozzarella cheese is melted and golden brown! Yum yum!
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Don’t Miss These Farmer’s Cheese Recipes!
Strawberry Farmer’s Cheese
Whipped Pumpkin Spice Farmer’s Cheese Spread
Why Make Cheese at Home?
If you are a fan of natural ingredients, or buy raw cow’s milk, making cheese at home is a great pursuit for you.
Fresh cheeses can stretch your culinary skills and connect you with local farmers. (If you don’t live in a rural area, store-bought, whole milk works for cheese making!)
When you make anything at home, you have much more control over the outcome of the dish! You can play around with things like fat content, seasonings, and basic ingredients to make something you and your family will truly enjoy.
You also aren’t dabbling in artificial preservatives. Because you’re creating something fresh, you know exactly how old it is and when you need to use it. No more sitting on a grocery store shelf for who knows how long – you’re working with high-quality ingredients!
Basic Ingredients, But Delicious Cheese
I love farmer’s cheese for a simple introduction to at-home cheese making. The end product is forgiving, there is no starter culture you have to learn, and you can make it using basic kitchen tools.
What are other ways you can use your garlic and herb farmer’s cheese? Comment on this blog post and let me know!
For more backyard homesteading inspiration, follow me on Pinterest!
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Garlic and Herb Farmer’s Cheese Spread Recipe Card
Garlic and Herb Farmer's Cheese Spread
Enjoy this blend of smooth cheese and fresh herbs on your morning bagel, fresh veggies, or crackers! It's the perfect savory compliment to snacks and dinner and so easy to make.
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Farmer's Cheese*
- 1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Dried Parsley
- 1/8 Tsp Dried Basil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine farmer's cheese with all spices.
- Spread your garlic and herb farmer's cheese on toasted breads, and crackers, or use it as a dip recipe for veggies.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
*To make your own farmer's cheese, check out this recipe.
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