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Cooking with Whey: A Cheesemaker's Guide to Using Whey in Probiotic Drinks, Savory Dishes, Sweet Treats, and More
Anyone who’s ever made cheese at home knows that roughly three-quarters of every gallon of milk transforms into a perplexing byproduct called whey. “Don’t throw away your whey!” says cheesemaker Claudia Lucero. In
Cooking with Whey
, Lucero shares 60 inventive recipes that use whey, which is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, and adds creaminess and flavor to foods. Sweet whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking enhances baked goods and smoothies. Acid whey, produced in yogurt- and kefir-making, is ideal for brining meat, kick-starting ferments, and adding tang to main dishes. From Brazilian Limeade and Strawberry Oat Milk to Skillet Cornbread, Broth-Poached Salmon, Honey Caramels, Espresso Martinis, and many more mouth-watering recipes for beverages, soups, breads, desserts, and everyday meals, this book is the key to unlocking a delightfully surprising array of ways to put whey to work!
- GenresCookbooks
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2022
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Lucero
5 books6 followersWhen I set out to try my hand at cheesemaking, I was surprised at how difficult it was to find supplies in our DIY-friendly town of Portland, OR. I was also perplexed by the complexity of most recipes. After all, cheesemaking has been going on for thousands of years. Should it really be this complicated to try it in a modern kitchen?
As it turns out, making fresh cheese is a simple skill that has become lost in the past few decades of quantity over quality.
We strive to teach beginners to make great cheese easily with our kits and classes as well as books. The books are great because include lots of gorgeous and helpful photos, simplified recipes and tons of fun extras. Whether you eat dairy or not, you can make life delicious with our books as well as kits!
As it turns out, making fresh cheese is a simple skill that has become lost in the past few decades of quantity over quality.
We strive to teach beginners to make great cheese easily with our kits and classes as well as books. The books are great because include lots of gorgeous and helpful photos, simplified recipes and tons of fun extras. Whether you eat dairy or not, you can make life delicious with our books as well as kits!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Want to read
October 17, 2022My Mum & I are always looking for New & Exciting things to Cook & Bake & This Book fits the Bill Very Nicely indeed!
(A Special Thanks to Net Galley for this Book).
(A Special Thanks to Net Galley for this Book).
October 25, 2022
When I saw the opportunity to review Cooking with Whey, I jumped at it. I am already a big fan of author Claudia Lucero from her book Instant Pot Cheese. However, I have always been a little bit frustrated at the amount of whey that I produced as a by-product of the simple cheeses that make. Lucero and other cheesemakers always say that one should save the whey for other uses.
I dutifully strained and save the whey each time. However, the advice on the Internet seemed to repeat the same list on every site, recommending that I add it to smoothies, pour it into my compost or feed it to my chickens.
I refuse to buy chickens just to use up my whey.
Lucero's new release, Cooking With Whey, changes everything. The book is full of practical advice for using whey in the kitchen as a matter of course, as a rich addition or as a substitution for milk and other dairy products. After glancing through the cookbook, I found myself making cheese simply to have a fresh batch of whey to experiment with! Luckily, one can never have too much cheese.
The book starts with a very clear explanation of the different types of whey and how these types can be used in the kitchen. I had seen, of course, that the whey from making ricotta with lemon juice was very different than the whey from my thickened yogurt, for example, but I had not understood how to deal with this. Lucero explains clearly how we can use these different types of whey as substitutions for vinegar, milk and broth in our own everyday cooking.
Cooking With Whey is described as a Cheesemaker's Guide to Using Whey, which makes it hard to understand why there are reviews from people who do not make cheese or who have gone out to buy whey in order to make the recipes. Although it is at heart a cookbook, Lucero also describes many household options without once expecting me to have a chicken coop (although there are two recipes for dog treats) and another two chapters to use the whey in drinks, including instructions on how to ferment and/or distil the whey to make your own alcohol. The non-culinary uses alone will ensure that I never again throw away the whey.
However, if you are not already a convert to home-based cheese making, don't worry, because Lucero starts with basic instructions and simple recipes to create all three types of whey in your own home without having to make a major investment. This means that the book is standalone and does not require the reader to find a source of whey in order to get started.
The recipes are not sorted by whey type, as most recipes will allow for multiple options. However, each recipe has a list of the types of whey that could be used with it, ranked in a simple system of BEST, GOOD and OKAY. For recipes that require a specific whey (for example, acid whey for fermenting for a specific type of bread) then the notes reinforce this to ensure you don't end up with a flat loaf.
My favourite cheese leaves me with sweet whey, so I skipped past the practical uses (pets, gardening, bath softener) and went straight to the cocktail section.
Unfortunately, the recipes are given in imperial format only, which makes this book slightly harder to follow for non-American. The cocktails list all ingredients in ounces (I presume fluid ounces rather than by weight!). Still, it was relatively easy to see the proportions and take a guess. I was exciting to discover that whey adds texture to drinks in the same way that egg whites and aquafaba do.
I immediately set out to make the Brazilian Limeade and was already won-over by the thirst-quenching, frothy result. But then I added rum to make the Lightweight Caipirinha which makes for a fantastic long drink on a warm evening.
Whether you want to learn to swap whey for other ingredients or find ways of using it up outside of the kitchen, Cooking With Whey has you covered. This is a must-have resource for anyone who has guiltily poured a liter of whey down the sink, which recipes that will inspire you to generate even more whey just so that you can cook with it.
I dutifully strained and save the whey each time. However, the advice on the Internet seemed to repeat the same list on every site, recommending that I add it to smoothies, pour it into my compost or feed it to my chickens.
I refuse to buy chickens just to use up my whey.
Lucero's new release, Cooking With Whey, changes everything. The book is full of practical advice for using whey in the kitchen as a matter of course, as a rich addition or as a substitution for milk and other dairy products. After glancing through the cookbook, I found myself making cheese simply to have a fresh batch of whey to experiment with! Luckily, one can never have too much cheese.
The book starts with a very clear explanation of the different types of whey and how these types can be used in the kitchen. I had seen, of course, that the whey from making ricotta with lemon juice was very different than the whey from my thickened yogurt, for example, but I had not understood how to deal with this. Lucero explains clearly how we can use these different types of whey as substitutions for vinegar, milk and broth in our own everyday cooking.
Cooking With Whey is described as a Cheesemaker's Guide to Using Whey, which makes it hard to understand why there are reviews from people who do not make cheese or who have gone out to buy whey in order to make the recipes. Although it is at heart a cookbook, Lucero also describes many household options without once expecting me to have a chicken coop (although there are two recipes for dog treats) and another two chapters to use the whey in drinks, including instructions on how to ferment and/or distil the whey to make your own alcohol. The non-culinary uses alone will ensure that I never again throw away the whey.
However, if you are not already a convert to home-based cheese making, don't worry, because Lucero starts with basic instructions and simple recipes to create all three types of whey in your own home without having to make a major investment. This means that the book is standalone and does not require the reader to find a source of whey in order to get started.
The recipes are not sorted by whey type, as most recipes will allow for multiple options. However, each recipe has a list of the types of whey that could be used with it, ranked in a simple system of BEST, GOOD and OKAY. For recipes that require a specific whey (for example, acid whey for fermenting for a specific type of bread) then the notes reinforce this to ensure you don't end up with a flat loaf.
My favourite cheese leaves me with sweet whey, so I skipped past the practical uses (pets, gardening, bath softener) and went straight to the cocktail section.
Unfortunately, the recipes are given in imperial format only, which makes this book slightly harder to follow for non-American. The cocktails list all ingredients in ounces (I presume fluid ounces rather than by weight!). Still, it was relatively easy to see the proportions and take a guess. I was exciting to discover that whey adds texture to drinks in the same way that egg whites and aquafaba do.
I immediately set out to make the Brazilian Limeade and was already won-over by the thirst-quenching, frothy result. But then I added rum to make the Lightweight Caipirinha which makes for a fantastic long drink on a warm evening.
Whether you want to learn to swap whey for other ingredients or find ways of using it up outside of the kitchen, Cooking With Whey has you covered. This is a must-have resource for anyone who has guiltily poured a liter of whey down the sink, which recipes that will inspire you to generate even more whey just so that you can cook with it.
March 30, 2022
Sinceramente non sapevo nemmeno cosa significasse "whey" ma non solo ho imparato una nuova parola, mi son davvero goduta le ricette proposte e ammetto che alcune son davvero geniali. Un inchino alla scrittura e alle illustrazioni
May 28, 2022
Disclaimer: Received this as an advance copy via Netgalley and Storey Publishing, LLC (Thank you!!!)
The book itself has an aesthetically pleasing and retro 1960's layout and design. The author does a good job of explaining what whey is and how it can be used in a variety of ways. There are no photos of what finished dished should look like, always a plus in a cookbook but no such luck here.
I was pretty excited to see this cookbook as whey tends to be a plentiful byproduct when you make ricotta or farmers cheese, or when you drain yogurt, and I'm always on the search for recipes that I can use whey up in. Given that all the recipes are designed to use up whey, this book is pretty targeted for those who have said whey and will not be particularly helpful to those who don't have access to whey.
The recipes themselves generally include clear instructions. I noted what I think is a typo in step 1 of the Ricotta recipe where is says to simmer the whey, I believe that should read milk, not whey. In a couple of recipes (i.e., Sweetened Condensed Whey, Cajeta) there is no explanation for why to use a smaller pot for simmering the whey before straining into a bigger pot. The explanation seems to be included in Linda's Honey Caramels but that recipe comes after the others, so it might be helpful to include this information in each recipe so it's clear why the bigger pot is needed and you shouldn't reuse the smaller pot after straining the whey.
I've done a fair bit of searching for whey recipes on the internet and am happy to report that the recipes in this book were more interesting than what I have found online and it definitely provided some new ways for me to cook with leftover whey. I am looking forward to trying the whey-based Hot Fudge Sauce next time I make ricotta.
The book itself has an aesthetically pleasing and retro 1960's layout and design. The author does a good job of explaining what whey is and how it can be used in a variety of ways. There are no photos of what finished dished should look like, always a plus in a cookbook but no such luck here.
I was pretty excited to see this cookbook as whey tends to be a plentiful byproduct when you make ricotta or farmers cheese, or when you drain yogurt, and I'm always on the search for recipes that I can use whey up in. Given that all the recipes are designed to use up whey, this book is pretty targeted for those who have said whey and will not be particularly helpful to those who don't have access to whey.
The recipes themselves generally include clear instructions. I noted what I think is a typo in step 1 of the Ricotta recipe where is says to simmer the whey, I believe that should read milk, not whey. In a couple of recipes (i.e., Sweetened Condensed Whey, Cajeta) there is no explanation for why to use a smaller pot for simmering the whey before straining into a bigger pot. The explanation seems to be included in Linda's Honey Caramels but that recipe comes after the others, so it might be helpful to include this information in each recipe so it's clear why the bigger pot is needed and you shouldn't reuse the smaller pot after straining the whey.
I've done a fair bit of searching for whey recipes on the internet and am happy to report that the recipes in this book were more interesting than what I have found online and it definitely provided some new ways for me to cook with leftover whey. I am looking forward to trying the whey-based Hot Fudge Sauce next time I make ricotta.
April 30, 2022
I was immediately drawn to this title; I had heard of uses for whey before, but I had yet to discover recipes specifically using it as a star ingredient. This book is an invaluable resource not only to cheese- and yogurt-makers, but also has the added benefit of closing the loop on an often discarded but nutritional byproduct for those hoping to get the most out of every ingredient. Lucero's writing is delightfully punny, informative, and educational. The recipes are delicious, creative, and easy to follow. There's a recipe for every occasion, and readers will undoubtedly find one to add to their repertoire. I'm most excited to have "excuses" to make the Orange Whey-lius, the Strawberry and Cream Popsicles, Pão de Queijo, the Lighter Alfredo Sauce, and all the fun things I can think up using the Sweetened Condensed Whey. Cooking with Whey will definitely be a well loved and frequently referenced addition to my cookbook collection upon its release.
Buy this book from my affiliate links:
Preorder from Bookshop - Support Local Bookstores!
You can also check out Lucero's other books on cheesemaking:
Biblio for International Bookstores and other Rare/Out-of-Print Books!
***
Storey Publishing, LLC and Claudia Lucero provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. This title will be released to the public on 25 Oct 2022.
Buy this book from my affiliate links:
Preorder from Bookshop - Support Local Bookstores!
You can also check out Lucero's other books on cheesemaking:
Biblio for International Bookstores and other Rare/Out-of-Print Books!
***
Storey Publishing, LLC and Claudia Lucero provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. This title will be released to the public on 25 Oct 2022.
November 27, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Cooking with Whey is an accessible and well written guide to using whey alongside recipes developed by Claudia Lucero. Released 25th Oct 2022 by Storey, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
For folks who make cheese, yogurt, and other related foods at home, whey (the liquid left over after curding, straining, and processing dairy) is usually seen as a waste product. I live and work in Norway and except for "brunost" (caramelized whey pressed into blocks and eaten on everything from pancakes to lunch sandwiches), I was not familiar with other thrifty uses of whey. This book is so much more.
The layout is accessible and easy to follow. The author's friendly and competent instructions are well explained and accessible to non-experts/beginners. The book has a retro vibe; there aren't any photos in the text or the recipes. The illustrations are simple but easy to understand and recognize (see cover).
Four stars. Definitely a niche book, but quite a good one. The recipes are varied and appealing. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, as well as for self-sufficiency and smallholding folks.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Cooking with Whey is an accessible and well written guide to using whey alongside recipes developed by Claudia Lucero. Released 25th Oct 2022 by Storey, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
For folks who make cheese, yogurt, and other related foods at home, whey (the liquid left over after curding, straining, and processing dairy) is usually seen as a waste product. I live and work in Norway and except for "brunost" (caramelized whey pressed into blocks and eaten on everything from pancakes to lunch sandwiches), I was not familiar with other thrifty uses of whey. This book is so much more.
The layout is accessible and easy to follow. The author's friendly and competent instructions are well explained and accessible to non-experts/beginners. The book has a retro vibe; there aren't any photos in the text or the recipes. The illustrations are simple but easy to understand and recognize (see cover).
Four stars. Definitely a niche book, but quite a good one. The recipes are varied and appealing. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, as well as for self-sufficiency and smallholding folks.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 1, 2022
I made greek yogurt just today and forgot to save the whey! I could have made use of it for one of the delicious-sounding recipes from this book. According to the content list, you can actually use it in beverages, cocktails, bread, sweets and savories. Definitely worth experimenting with.
I just wish photographs of the final dish accompanies each recipe. I would have loved to see how Norwegian brown cheese looks like, for instance. The minimally colored drawings do brighten up the book somewhat.
No nutritional panel is provided for each recipe, but the appendix provides a nutrient profile for each of the different types of whey.
Really worth looking into this book if you have a lot of leftover whey.
4 stars for me.
I just wish photographs of the final dish accompanies each recipe. I would have loved to see how Norwegian brown cheese looks like, for instance. The minimally colored drawings do brighten up the book somewhat.
No nutritional panel is provided for each recipe, but the appendix provides a nutrient profile for each of the different types of whey.
Really worth looking into this book if you have a lot of leftover whey.
4 stars for me.
April 20, 2022
This is a lovely book in terms of content and explanation of the different types of why and their uses. There are around 20 recipes for beverages and cocktails, 5 for bread products, 16 for savoury dishes and about 15 sweets. There is a nice section at the back with details of nutrients in whey.
However, the only illustrations are drawings and there is not a single photograph. I'm not feeling inspired to try anything without having some idea of what the finished result would look like.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However, the only illustrations are drawings and there is not a single photograph. I'm not feeling inspired to try anything without having some idea of what the finished result would look like.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2022
Very informative book, with lots of ideas for leftover whey. I had no idea that there were so many different uses, and different types of whey. The author goes into a brief history of whey, and then a slew of recipes using the different types of whey, including recipes you wouldn't think of, like alcoholic drinks!
Looking forward to making some cheese so I can use the whey!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Looking forward to making some cheese so I can use the whey!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
October 30, 2022
I am a hobby cheese and yoghurt maker and am always uncomfortable throwing whey out. Surely there must be uses for it besides giving to animals.
Well it turns out that there is. Claudia begins by explaining about different wheys and ways that you might get the different kinds, whether from yoghurt, or cheesemakers orcooking whey to make ricotta.
Then she talks about using it in the garden to reduce mildew, as a fertiliser. Then using in various bath products, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and finally cooking with whey: savoury and sweet. Some are basically using whey instead of water or milk and some use whey as an ingredient in its own right. Finally there is a nutrition breakdown comparing with whole milk, whey protein powders of various kinds.
A slight niggle is that the measurements are in US cups and no metric so each recipe will need converting.
I shall definitely using some of my whey in the future with this book
Well it turns out that there is. Claudia begins by explaining about different wheys and ways that you might get the different kinds, whether from yoghurt, or cheesemakers orcooking whey to make ricotta.
Then she talks about using it in the garden to reduce mildew, as a fertiliser. Then using in various bath products, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and finally cooking with whey: savoury and sweet. Some are basically using whey instead of water or milk and some use whey as an ingredient in its own right. Finally there is a nutrition breakdown comparing with whole milk, whey protein powders of various kinds.
A slight niggle is that the measurements are in US cups and no metric so each recipe will need converting.
I shall definitely using some of my whey in the future with this book
November 17, 2022
Did you know there were so many different types of Whey? Because I sure didn’t. Honestly I didn’t really know much about whey before this book (beyond “eating her curds and whey” and whey protein). I also didn’t know there could be that many whey play on words but the author found them (& I loved it). This was a really interesting book.
April 17, 2022
A fun book with a rather narrow focus, Cooking with Whey is perfect for cheesemakers hunting around for more things to do with whey. I especially loved the way it distinguished between types of whey and gave thorough information about substitutions.
*I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews