"If
everyone grew a garden or milked an animal, raised chickens for eggs or
rabbits for meat, or provided for themselves in another way there would
be no hunger because self-reliant living always produces more than any
ONE person or family needs." -Diane Dondero
Twelve future cheese makers turned out for this event held at the Elk Plain
Grange on Mountain Hwy in Spanaway WA.
The Grange has a spaceous kitchen with counters all 'round making it an ideal facility for this hands-on workshop. Many thanks to the Elk Plain Grange and the Graham/Kapowsin Community Council/Learning Center for sponsoring this event.
Comment from one future cheese maker:
"Great cheese making class. As I've told
friends & the Board of Directors of the South Sound Seed Stewards on which I serve, of all the
classes I've taken since
moving to the Yelm area 20 years ago, yours
Sunday was by far the most useful & informative. And that's because you shared what you &
your family had lived. David's wanted to get
goats for some years but I've been iffy about it, mostly because I didn't want to milk twice a day. Listening to
what you did with the milk & how you
managed the herd gave me a whole new perspective on the subject. Thanks
for the class."
-Jo Stockstill
AND ANOTHER...
Thanks much for everything you shared that day. I think
we made some Panir cheese the very next day. We then halved the recipe a few
days later and made some more with 1 1/2 gallons of milk. Everything went fine
again...We had no idea just how simple making cheese was and really appreciate the
eye-opening experience. Both the knowledge of cheese and the words of wisdom
were muchappreciated!
-Treavor Sands
And from the Dispatch News
Diane Dondero, center, demonstrates how to make panir cheese with the assistance of her daughter, Adrianna, right. photo by Judith East
Cheese Making workshop by Babes
The Elk Plain Grange was the site of a
cheese-making workshop put on by Babesin Belts last Sunday [April 26, 2009].
Twelve people gathered in the kitchen around
Diane Dondero and her daughter Adrianna to learn how to convert unhomogenized
whole milk (cow's or goat's) into a simple, mild panir cheese, sour cream,
cream cheese and a ginger-whey beverage - all without adding rennet or
inoculants.
Dondero learned the techniques while homesteading
in northern California
for thirteen years as she raised her children. She emphasized the value of using
whole foods grown near your home, and the need to relearn the love of
simplicity in life.
"We
can't change the way we are living on the earth and keep doing what we are
doing," said Dondero.
The
students eagerly tasted the products as they were created or from batches made
the previous day. They must have been pleased - most left with purchased
cookbooks and cheesecloth and the resolve to locate stainless steel pots with
heavy bottoms.
Babes
in Belts' purpose is to support a sustainable future in response to climate
change by providing education, training and practical solutions for preparedness.
More workshops are planned. - Judith East
Reprinted with permission from the Dispatch News in Eatonville. Thank you Judy for your attendence and support.
So What Did You Miss?
The Graham Kapowsin Community Council/ Learning Center hosted Udderly Simple Cheese Making with Diane Dondero.
This was a hands-on workshop where those who attended experienced making sour
cream, cottage cheese and cream cheese all from one pot! They also learned to make simple and versatile Panir cheese, a staple of many Eastern
lands.
Recipes from Diane's book "Udderly
Simple Dairy Foods" were used. Participants learned the simplicity of
home cheese making, with a complete understanding of tools,
ingredients and the process for success.
Diane has enjoyed self-reliant living since the early 70's. The wisdom of what she has learned encompasses many perspectives and topics about providing for ones self.
