Looking for 10 brave souls in Chi area

[pythonic]

To go splits on a case of Grande Whole Mozzarella from GFS.  Price is $3.05/lb and a case is eight 7lb loafs.

Nate

[blackshifter]

Count me in!

[pythonic]

2 down 8 to go

[derricktung]

Holy smokes.... 7 lbs?  How long does it keep for?  And what's the best way to keep it?

I'd like in if you can teach me how to use it over time so it doesn't go bad...

[Serpentelli]

Holy smokes.... 7 lbs?  How long does it keep for?  And what's the best way to keep it?

I'd like in if you can teach me how to use it over time so it doesn't go bad...

I have had many different types of cheese last for months and months by using the Food Saver vacuum sealer products. They sell the rolls of bag material so for instance when I got my Brick cheese I cut the large loaf into three parts and sealed them in "custom size" bags. There has been no degradation in consistency or quality in this cheese or any of the other cheeses I have saved in the same way in the past.

The device (and bag) are sold at pretty much any store nowadays. I got mine at Costco, but see them everywhere.

John K

[derricktung]

John,

I don't have a vacuum sealer, but can probably use the pot of water/ziploc method to get the majority of the air out.  (That's how I sous vide right now anyway).

Do you freeze the cheese, or just fridge it?

[Serpentelli]

Do you freeze the cheese, or just fridge it?

Fridge.

I am stunned at how long cheeses of all ilks have lasted with the vacuum sealing. I have eaten a THREE YEAR OLD defrosted filet mignon from a vacuum sealed bag taken out of the freezer, and I think it was some of the best beef I've ever had. I guess it would work without the sealer, but even a little air in the bag will let those microbes start foolin around and doin their thing.

And, FWIW, its just cool vacuum sealing things. It makes you feel like an astronaut. Or the guy who makes those hard bags of coffee that turns soft when you open them.

John K

[derricktung]

Hmm.. would you consider vacuum sealing it into 1 lb sections for me at all?

Regardless, I think you can count me in.  I"m curious how this compares to Bellogioso cheese that I get from RD and Costco right now...  I've heard it's far better.

[Serpentelli]

Hmm.. would you consider vacuum sealing it into 1 lb sections for me at all?

Regardless, I think you can count me in.  I"m curious how this compares to Bellogioso cheese that I get from RD and Costco right now...  I've heard it's far better.

Derrick,

If you are ever in this neck of the woods I be glad to! Heck, if I ever come to Chi-Town I'll even bring it with me! Not sure how well the cheese would travel cross-country in the mail no matter how well I sealed it. Definitely still needs the good old fashioned fridge!

John K

[blackshifter]

vacuum sealers are pretty cheap

http://www.amazon.com/Seal-a-Meal-VS108-P-Vacuum-Sealer/dp/B009EQJTFS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1364966003&sr=8-4&keywords=vacuum+sealer

[derricktung]

@John - Didn't realize you weren't in the Chicago area.  =) 
@Blackshifter - Thanks for the find!  I'm forbidden to buy new toys for now, especially since we're saving for the mobile oven... buying ingredients for pizza, however is another matter.    I may have to add the sealer to my bday wish list...

I'm in, assuming there are enough people to split it up!

[pythonic]

The cheese will stay good for 2 months in a freezer ziplock doubled up.  A trick u can use when thawing out is to use a brine.  Just cut the load into 1/2 or 1lb increments and you will be ready to go.

We need 7 more people.

Cheese list so far:

Pythonic
Derricktung
Blackshifter


Nate

[blackshifter]

I'll buy 2 shares if someone can help me get a bag of KASL from Midwest Foods! 

[caymus]

Excuse me for interrupting you thread, but can the cheese be shredded while frozen?  I have my own loaf of cheese that will last me 3 or 4 months.

Regards

[blackshifter]

BTW if anyone wants to try Grande cheese, Bari's Italian Deli on Grand Ave sells Ovaline by the pound as well as 15 different types of whole peeled tomatoes and Caputo flour. Grande ovaline was really really good! Order an italian sub while you are at it. Best italian subs in the world! So good that I made a pizza off their subs!

[pythonic]

BTW if anyone wants to try Grande cheese, Bari's Italian Deli on Grand Ave sells Ovaline by the pound as well as 15 different types of whole peeled tomatoes and Caputo flour. Grande ovaline was really really good! Order an italian sub while you are at it. Best italian subs in the world! So good that I made a pizza off their subs!

How much per pound?

[blackshifter]

I was in Maui for a week but I think it was $3.99 a pound which ended up to being 3 small balls which can make a pizza each.