Alternatives to Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth is a smooth, woven fabric, which is used traditionally in the straining of whey to make cheese, as well as straining a number of other items in the kitchen. If you need to strain cheese, yogurt, broth or gravy, but don't have cheesecloth on hand, don't fret. There are a number of alternatives to cheesecloth, which you may already have around the house. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is full of items that you can use instead of cheesecloth. The benefit of kitchen items is that they are already sanitized and cleaned for food preparation.
Colanders serve the same function as cheesecloth in straining liquids from any solids. However, many colanders have holes much larger than cheesecloth. If you need to use a colander, use one that consists of a mesh or woven bowl, rather than one that has holes cut into it.
Coffee filters also work well as alternatives to cheesecloth; but coffee filters have the opposite problem than colanders. Coffee filters strain very well. If you need larger particles of your item to get through, then avoid coffee filters.
Tea towels or flour sack towels have a similar woven property to cheesecloth. Use a single layer of these towels as an alternative to a single layer or more of cheesecloth.
Sewing Room
Your sewing room and personal fabric supply may hold alternatives to cheesecloth. Remember that cheesecloth is a colorless or pale fabric that is loosely woven. Avoid fabrics in your stash which have been dyed and may bleed their colors into your food. Blue yogurt may be novel, but not be very appetizing. Also, ensure that whatever fabric you use is both clean and non-toxic.
Muslin is a fabric similar in weaving to cheesecloth, without any pesky colors. Linens and other light fabrics may also work well.
Bedroom
Believe it or not, your bedroom may also be a great place to find cheesecloth alternatives. The only downside is that bedroom items tend to be used on our bodies and may not be particularly appetizing for straining food.
For instance, panty hose, nylons or women's tights are made of a stretchy, semi-permeable fabric, similar to cheesecloth. The long cylindrical aspect of pantyhose, with the closed bottom, is especially appealing for draining cheese or other solids items. A used nylon that has been rubbing against your body doesn't make for appetizing food--you will likely want to employ unused tights.
A man's handkerchief also shares the properties of cheesecloth. Just make sure it hasn't been used yet, or at the very least, wash it well, and don't tell your guests.
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