Polish Spring!

   It's cold outside, people all around are getting sick and everybody wants Spring to already be here! I have no influence on the weather or the flu, but I can definitely bring some spring into the kitchen! There is nothing more "Springy" that a sandwich with fresh farmer's cheese, radishes, and chives... and it's so Polish too! And I'm not talking about any farmer's cheese, but a home made one. You can't really get it here and even if you do, it just doesn't taste the same. Ever since I can remember, my grandmas always made a delicious and fresh cheese using sour milk (absolutely amazing), but since I don't have sour milk here, I took a shortcut and made my own version of farmer's cheese using lemon juice. Put it on a piece of fresh rustic bread with some chives and radishes and I you've got yourself Spring time on a plate... a Polish Spring.

Ingredients:

*  1 gallon 1% milk
*  1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

*  2 tbsp chopped chives
*  2 tbsp plain yogurt
*  sliced radishes
*  salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Heat the milk until almost boiling (don't let it boil), add lemon juice, turn off the heat and let is stand for 5 minutes, mixing gently. You should see cheese curds forming.
2. Pour it through a small mesh strainer, put it over a deep bowl (so that the liquid doesn't touch the bottom of the strainer) and let it stand in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to drain.
3. When the cheese is drained and cooled, transfer it to the bowl and mix it with yogurt, chives, salt and pepper.
4. It's the best when served on a rustic bread with radishes (or any other veggie you like).

   If that doesn't scream Polish Spring, I don't know what does! You can substitute radishes with tomatoes and it will be equally delicious. I think Justin was impressed that such a simple dish could be so amazing... and he agreed that it does scream Polish Spring!

Enjoy,
Magda.