butter...?

[glut]

I know this is not really a veg question, but hopefully fits in enough with the grow your own ethos to be allowed!
I have just discovered how to make butter and am a bit mortified at how ignorant I am and how easy it is I would love to add it to my routine and want to source a small blow churn...ideally not a rusty antique one. Anyone know a supplier of unfashionable kitchen equipment?

[Stacey Steve]

Try

Wooden Butter Churn - Shop - Solid Oak Wine Barrels - Woodbarrels

[glut]

hmmm interesting. It looks quite big though. I hadn't thought about a wooden one... The one i had seen was a glass jar with a paddle in it and a handle on the top?

[BrideXIII]

try this maybe ?

The Cottage Smallholder Guest spot: How to make your own homemade butter by The Mildred Mittens Manufactory

ok after googling all about this, I couldn't resist, the kids are out tonight, so I have popped down and got the ingredients, and am going to give the simplest ( food processor) option a go. will report back later with results, or lack of them

[shirlthegirl43]

My bread machine has a programme to make butter. I make the butter and put it to chill (when I have been able to buy cheap double cream) then make the bread and enjoy the two together

[lainey lou]

Wow! I really didn't know it was so easy to make butter, think I'll have a go myself, and I love soda bread so I guess the butter milk will come in handy!

[BrideXIII]

Well I said i would report back, so here it is , sooner than expected. I was going to do this later, but my youngest wanted to help, so he got to wash up

As experiments go, this was deceptively easy and superfast.

utensils used were:
one food mixer ordinary whisk attatchments.
two wooden spatulas.
glass cutting board
kitchen roll
greasproof paper.

ingredients:
2x 287 ml cartons double cream @95p each
for comparison
2x 287 ml cartons of whipping cream @ 75p each
(there turned out to be no difference in time, texture or taste)

30 minutes later, I had 2 slabs of butter weighing 250g each
450 ml of buttermilk for scones and bread tomorrow.

pour two cartons of cream in food mixer, turn on to nearly highest speed and wait, when it gets realy thick, turn it down to low speed and wait to get splattered with buttermilk.
Drain off the buttermilk, turn on again for a few seconds to get some more out, drain again then turn out into a large bowl of cold water, knead slowly till water goes cloudy, drain and refill with fresh and knead again, repeat as often as necessary till water stay nearly clear.
turn out onto cutting board, press flat, sprinkle with salt to taste ( i used very tiny amount cos i like unsalted), knead it in carefully and quickly cos we don't want it to get too warm or squishy. then use wooden spatulas to bat into shape removing as much water as possible, wipe excess up as you go with kitchen towel, and viola! wrap in greasproof paper and pop in fridge.

I doubt it will last in our house long enough to go rancid, which it will if you don't remove all the buttermilk, but we shall see how it goes.
May not be cost effective unless you can get cheap cream, but it was fun, and is delicious, and you can flavour it at the kneading stage with all sorts.

[coomber]

cool, that looks really good BrideXIII i'm gonna have a go tomorrow

[BrideXIII]

well if you do, don't do what i did afterwards, google homemade cheese
I am now hooked on yet another experiment and have to make cottage cheese this weekend or die!

just think of it, homemade bread, homemade butter, homemade cottage cheese mixed with oven dried tomatoes in olive oil!!!

this site will be the death of me, i will however die FULL and happy

[Rhona]

Hee hee... it's a wet cold and rainy day here in Sheff, and I sooo know how my day (and tummy) are going to be filled now! I love playing in the kichen all day!

thanks for the tips guys!

p.s. my Godparents are dairy farmers in Wales and they produce the most amazing butter and cheese. Cannot believe that I never thought of asking them about this before!

[Dobby]

mmmmm hot toast and butter crumpet and butter

[coomber]

How easy was that I used the cheapest whipping cream in the shop! now have a lump of butter and some buttermilk to make scones tomorrow worked out cheaper than buying the butter and buttermilk separate too

[BrideXIII]

How easy was that I used the cheapest whipping cream in the shop! now have a lump of butter and some buttermilk to make scones tomorrow worked out cheaper than buying the butter and buttermilk separate too

deliciously childish fun ain't it ?

[coomber]

deliciously childish fun ain't it ?

Yep, I love it

[BrideXIII]

Yep, I love it

lol, you up for doing cottage cheese next?

i'll try it at the weekend and post the recipe after, if you fancy giving it a go?