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How to Make Croatian Basa Cheese


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Tamara Novacovic for Honest Cooking Magazine
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Makes about 1 pint 1x
  • Diet: Omnivore

Description

A creamy, dreamy spread, perfect for bread or as a savory addition to your meals. This traditional Croatian cheese is surprisingly simple to make at home.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4 pints (2 liters) whole milk
  • 0.4 pints (200 ml) sour cream
  • Salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Milk
  2. Pour the whole milk into a large pot and heat it until it reaches a rolling boil.
  3. Remove the pot from the heat and let the milk cool until it is tepid.
  4. Mix in the Sour Cream
  5. Once the milk has cooled to a tepid temperature, stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
  6. Cover the pot with a lid and wrap it in a kitchen towel to keep it warm. Leave it in a warm place overnight.
  7. Strain the Cheese
  8. Line a strainer with a clean cheesecloth and place it inside a large bowl.
  9. Pour the tepid milk mixture into the cheesecloth-lined strainer. The mixture will have a pudding-like consistency.
  10. Gently stir the mixture to help drain off the whey.
  11. Fold the ends of the cheesecloth over the cheese and place the strainer and bowl in the refrigerator. Let it drain for a couple of hours.
  12. Final Touches
  13. Occasionally collect the drained whey. You can use it in smoothies or other recipes.
  14. The longer you leave the cheese to drain, the firmer it will become. Decide whether you want a firmer or creamier cheese and adjust the draining time accordingly.
  15. Carefully remove the cheese from the cheesecloth. If using it in savory dishes, add salt to taste. For sweet dishes, leave it unsalted.

Notes

  • For a tangier cheese, use buttermilk instead of sour cream.
  • To speed up draining, use a double layer of cheesecloth.
  • Store the finished cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Draining and Setting: 12 hours
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Croatian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 100
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 100
  • Fat: 8
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 5
  • Cholesterol: 20