Brazilian Cream Cheese Spread (Requeijão Caseiro)

Name: Brazilian Cream Cheese Spread (Requeijão Caseiro)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT25 M
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk (plus extra 2-4 T's for blending only). NOTE: Please do NOT use reduced-fat milk; only whole milk works well in this recipe; 2 T fresh lemon juice or white vinegar (30 ml); 1 ½ T unsalted butter (30 g); salt (to taste)

Prep Time | 10 Min Cook Time | 25 Min

An authentic Brazilian breakfast favorite from Chef Denise. Easy, clean and just 4 simple ingredients, this mild and creamy Brazilian cream cheese is great for baking, spreading and pairing with your favorite cheese bread.

Ingredients

4 cups whole milk (plus extra 2-4 T's for blending only). NOTE: Please do NOT use reduced-fat milk; only whole milk works well in this recipe
2 T fresh lemon juice or white vinegar (30 ml)
1 ½ T unsalted butter (30 g)
salt (to taste)

1
Boil the milk: Place the 4 cups of milk in a 6-quart pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Watch carefully in order not to spill over your stovetop.
2
Turn off the heat as soon as it comes to a boil and then stir in the lemon juice or vinegar. Set aside for about 15 minutes in order to curdle and cool down.
3
Strain: Pass the liquids and curdles through a fine-mesh sieve and press them down with a spoon to release all the liquid. TIP: It is important to remove all the liquid, which can be re-purposed. The liquid is rich in protein. (Freeze it in ice cube trays and add to soups, rice, or smoothies).
4
Blend: Transfer the curdles to a blender or food processor and add the butter, salt, and about 2 tablespoons of the extra milk. Blend well until creamy, smooth, and spreadable, about 2-3 minutes.
5
If you would like your cream cheese to be thinner, add one more tablespoon of the reserved milk and blend again just until homogeneous and creamy. NOTE: Unlike the American cream cheese, which is solid, the Brazilian cream cheese has a super creamy, smooth, and spreadable consistency (almost like a cake frosting).
6
Chill/Serve or Store: Transfer the cream cheese spread to a sterilized mason jar, seal the lid, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until chilled. Spread over Brazi Bites Cheddar & Parmesan Brazilian Cheese Bread or fill the bread with the cream cheese spread.