Hrudka Easter Cheese Recipes

HRUTKA (EGG CHEESE)

Steps:

• Beat all ingredients well.
• Pour into a large saucepan and cook very slowly over low heat (stirring often) until it looks kind of like cottage cheese and liquid/curds start to separate.
• Pour the mixture into a round colander or a strainer lined with cheese cloth and form into a ball.
• Hang up over a sink and let drip. Drain for about 3 hours.
• Chill at least 8-10 hours or overnight.
• Can serve cold, room temp or warm.

SIRECZ (EASTER CHEESE)

Steps:

• In an electric mixer, beat the eggs until mixed well.
• Transfer the eggs to a double boiler and stir in milk, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Cook over a medium heat for 30 minutes. Use a metal slotted spoon and constantly stir the bottom of the pan to prevent scorching.
• When the mixture looks just like cooked scrambled eggs, pour it carefully into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Carefully gather the ends of the cheesecloth in your hands and pull them together until the cheese forms into a ball. Tie the cheesecloth tightly at the top of the ball. Tie the cheesecloth ends over a faucet or to the handle of a kitchen cabinet (place a bowl under to catch the whey dripping down) and let hang for about 3 hours.
• Untie the cleesecloth and wrap the cheesecloth ball in plastic wrap before refrigerating. The cheese will keep for about a week. Slice and serve.

EASTER CHEESE - HRUDKA

Steps:

• Crack eggs into a large saucepan and beat with a whisk. Whisk in milk, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cook over medium-low to low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture fully forms curds and the whey separates. This will take 20 to 30 minutes. Using higher heat or failing to stir will result in a big pan of sweet scrambled eggs.
• Drain the mixture into a colander lined with several layers of cheese cloth. Use the cloth to shape into a ball and twist the top to remove excess moisture. Secure with a twist tie. Hang for several hours or overnight. I do it on the spigot of the kitchen sink (which would probably wig out the germ police, but I haven't gotten botulism in 34 years). Of course, you could let it drain initially there and then finish it overnight in the fridge suspended over a deep bowl.

HRUDKA (EASTER CHEESE)

Steps:

• Pour milk into saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Beat eggs slightly and add gradually to milk.
• Cook over low heat for about seven minutes.
• Add salt, pepper, and vanilla, stir continually so mixture will not scorch.
• Pour mixture into a linen towel or cheesecloth, squeeze and tie tightly.
• Hang and let dry for two hours.
• Cover with a wet napkin and place in refrigerator.