Easy Cheese You Don’t Need An Appliance For This Recipe; Improvise And Follow Martha’s Tips

Q. A while back I saw you make cream cheese out of yogurt on your television show, but I didn’t write down the directions. Can you give me the recipe? Susan Mitchell, Salem, Ore.

A: Though it looks like cream cheese, it is actually yogurt cheese, which is a wonderful low-fat spread.

It couldn’t be simpler to make. Specialty kitchen shops sell yogurt-cheese makers, but you don’t need one. It’s just as easy to improvise.

Line a deep mixing bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth. Spoon 4 cups of plain, low-fat yogurt (which works better than nonfat) onto the cheesecloth. Gather the ends of the cheesecloth and knot them around the handle of a wooden spoon. Rest the spoon across the top of the bowl so the bundle of yogurt is suspended about 2 inches above the bottom of the bowl; if the bowl isn’t deep enough, use a pot or a large jar instead.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours. The whey will drain out of the yogurt, leaving thick, creamy yogurt cheese, which has a fresh, tangy taste.

Use yogurt cheese as a spread on toast or sandwiches, or on a baked potato. Mix fresh herbs and black pepper into it and serve with bread or crackers, or sweeten it with honey and serve with fruit for dessert.

For elegant low-fat hors d’oeuvres, try this:

Place the yogurt cheese in the middle of a plate or serving platter. Cut a 1-by-4-inch piece of lemon zest into very thin strips.

In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and the lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.

Meanwhile, coarsely chop about 8 Kalamata olives, 8 sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf parsley and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint. Drizzle the honey mixture over the yogurt cheese, and arrange the olive mixture around it.

Serve with thin rounds of sourdough baguette. This serves about eight people.

Q: What is the best way to clean diamond rings at home? - Mrs. Smith, Auburn Hill, Mich.

A: A diamond loses its distinctive sparkle when dirty. Hand lotions, cosmetics, oils from your skin and soaps can all cloud its surface.

Here are two easy ways to clean a diamond ring yourself:

The first method uses mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid, mixed with warm water. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the ring with the sudsy mixture. To rinse the ring, place it in a strainer and run warm water over it. Pat dry with a soft lintless cloth.

The second method uses a mixture of equal parts household ammonia and cold water. Place the ring in the mixture, let it soak for half an hour, then remove and drain it on paper.

A diamond is the world’s hardest natural substance, but it can be chipped by another hard surface. It’s always a good idea to remove your rings while doing housework or when in the bathtub. This will help them stay cleaner longer, too.

Q: What can I put in my rinse water to soften my clothes? - Norma Tulipani, San Rafael, Calif.

A: The detergents we use to wash clothes today are much more effective than the old soaps, but sometimes they leave clothes scratchy and rough.

Several commercial fabric softeners are available in supermarkets. They make clothes softer and reduce static cling.

There are three different kinds: liquids, which are added during the washing machine’s rinse cycle; sheets, which are used in the dryer; and products that combine detergents and softeners, which are used in place of detergent. The first two types are generally most effective.

Fabric softeners can actually make oily-looking stains on clothes if used improperly, so always read the package instructions. Liquids must always be diluted first; never pour them directly onto clothes. If spots do appear, pretreat them and wash again.

With repeated use, fabric softeners can make your clothes dingy, so it’s best not to use them with each load of laundry. A classic household tip is to add white vinegar instead of fabric softener to the rinse water. Depending on the size of the load, you can add anywhere from cup to cup. Vinegar is also credited with brightening colors. It may not be as effective as the commercial brands, but it will help, and it’s also less expensive.

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The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate