Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

eureka AT hctc.net wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:06:38 -0500 Cathy <goosecreekfarm AT gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> > The kind of buttermilk we're talking about is cultured.
>
> I just looked an mine says "Premium Cultured Buttermilk" but there's 
> seaweed and locust bean products in it as well. Good ol' Borden.

Meadowgold cultured also has carrageenan(seaweed) and locust bean
products, but that shouldn't bother a vegetarian.  There are definitely
worse additives!
Sage, and anyone else interested, look in the baking section for
powdered buttermilk mix.  You reconstitute it with water (I actually use
milk), but the ingredients on the container list as cultured buttermilk,
sweet dairy whey, and lactose.  Since I no longer have goats, I keep
some of this onhand and it's pretty good for baking, but I haven't used
it in biscuits yet.
BTW, if you are cheap, like I am, you can culture your own buttermilk.
Just buy the smallest container of cultured buttermilk you can find and
then spike a gallon of whole milk with it.  Subtract out a quart or pint
of milk or whatever container size of buttermilk you bought.(I think I
usually buy a quart)  Let the remaining whole milk and the cultured
buttermilk come to room temperature.  When they are about 75 degrees or
so, add the buttermilk to the whole milk.  Put the lid on, shake it and
let it sit overnight at room temp or slightly warmer, but it should not
get over 100 degrees.  The next day, you will see that the whole jug has
thickened into buttermilk.
If you are going to use a lot of buttermilk quickly, then simply
refrigerate the gallon of buttermilk.  Since I don't use buttermilk that
often, I pour the buttermilk into 4 quart sized Mason jars and seal them
really well with plastic lids.  I store the jars on the top shelf of my
refrigerator for up to 6 months.  Yes, that long.  I use this buttermilk
for cooking, not drinking however.  This works for me. YMMV.

Bev

--
“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to
hate. Hate leads to suffering.”        Yoda
http://www.myspace.com/tervetuloa13