Frederic Melton
Daiya is a plant-based cheese company that has soared in popularity thanks to its ability to produce non-dairy cheeses that melt and stretch. The company's dairy-free cheddar cheese is designed for melting, which makes it great for use on pizza, in casseroles, sauces, and grilled cheese sandwiches. However, some users have reported that the Daiya cheese did not melt properly for them, suggesting that the cheese melts better when brought to room temperature before heating or when cooked on high heat with margarine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting | Melts well, sometimes better than dairy cheese, but has a higher melting point |
| Taste | Tasty, performs better than dairy cheese |
| Texture | Gooey, stretchy, velvety, not oily |
| Use cases | Grilled cheese, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, casseroles, sauces, mac 'n' cheese, cauliflower and potato gratins, lasagna, nachos |
| Diet | Dairy-free, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free |
| Health | Allergy-friendly |
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What You'll Learn
Melting Daiya cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich
Daiya cheese is a vegan, plant-based alternative to dairy cheese. It is made with a Daiya Oat Cream™ blend, which gives it a creamy, "melts-like-dairy" texture. The cheese is designed to melt and can be used in a variety of dishes, including grilled cheese sandwiches.
To make a grilled cheese sandwich with Daiya cheese, you can follow these steps:
- Start with a slice of bread. You can add some margarine or vegan butter to the outside of the bread, which will help with grilling and add a bit of flavor.
- Place your Daiya cheese slices or shreds on the bread. The shreds tend to melt a bit easier than the slices, so you may want to opt for those.
- If you like, you can add some toppings to your sandwich at this point. For example, basil paste or jam can complement the flavor of the cheese.
- Place another slice of bread on top to form your sandwich.
- Heat a pan or a sandwich press to medium-high heat. You can also use a cheese toastie maker or a similar appliance.
- Place your sandwich in the pan or on the press. If using a pan, you may want to cover it with a lid to help the cheese melt.
- Cook the sandwich for a few minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula to help it cook evenly and to ensure the cheese melts.
- If your cheese is still not melted to your liking, you can try a few things:
- Let the sandwich sit in the pan with the heat turned off for a minute or so. The residual heat should help the cheese melt further.
- Try pre-melting the cheese in a toaster oven before moving the sandwich to the pan for grilling.
- Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before using it, as it may melt better than when taken straight from the fridge.
By following these steps, you should be able to enjoy a delicious, melty grilled cheese sandwich using Daiya cheese.
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Using Daiya cheddar shreds for a vegan cheese sauce
Daiya cheddar shreds are a vegan-friendly cheese alternative that can be used to make a delicious cheese sauce. The shreds are designed for melting, making them perfect for sauces, casseroles, and pizzas. Here are some tips and tricks for using Daiya cheddar shreds to create a mouth-watering vegan cheese sauce.
Choosing the Right Daiya Cheddar Shreds
Daiya cheddar shreds come in a variety of flavours, including plain cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella. For a classic cheese sauce, opt for the plain cheddar shreds. If you want to add a little extra kick to your sauce, go for the pepper jack shreds.
Melting the Shreds
To achieve the perfect melt, it is recommended to bring the Daiya shreds to room temperature before melting. The shreds can be melted in a pan on the stovetop or in a microwave. For stovetop melting, use a non-stick pan and heat the shreds over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are fully melted. If using a microwave, place the shreds in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in short intervals, stirring in between, to avoid overheating.
Creating the Cheese Sauce
For a basic cheese sauce, start by melting a tablespoon of vegan butter or margarine in a pan. Once melted, add a tablespoon of flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes until the flour is absorbed. Slowly add in your favourite dairy-free milk, stirring continuously, until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, add the desired amount of Daiya cheddar shreds and stir until melted and well combined.
Seasoning and Serving
Daiya cheddar shreds lack the natural saltiness of dairy cheese, so be sure to season your sauce aggressively. Add salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings to taste. The cheese sauce can be served over vegetables, pasta, or used in recipes such as mac 'n' cheese, cauliflower gratin, or lasagna.
Recipe Ideas
For a flavour-packed vegan cheese sauce, Daiya Foods offers a 5-minute recipe that combines their Monterey Jack Style Block with Cheddar Style Shreds. Melt vegan margarine and combine with dairy-free milk, nutritional yeast, oregano, and turmeric. Add the block and shreds, and serve over vegetables for a delicious and easy vegan dish.
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Melting Daiya cheese on pizza
Daiya cheese is a plant-based, dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese. It is known for its ability to melt, which makes it a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. When it comes to melting Daiya cheese on pizza, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best results.
First, it is recommended to place the Daiya cheese on top of all the other ingredients. This allows the cheese to melt more effectively and creates a gooey, stretchy texture that is desired in pizza cheese. It is important to note that Daiya cheese has a higher melting point than dairy cheese, so using high heat can help achieve the desired melt. Additionally, letting the cheese come to room temperature before placing it on the pizza may also improve meltability.
Another tip for melting Daiya cheese on pizza is to consider the type of cheese you are using. Daiya offers both shreds and slices, and the shreds tend to melt more easily than the slices. Using the shreds can help ensure a more even and consistent melt. Additionally, Daiya's flavored cream cheese alternatives may not be the best choice for pizza as they do not provide the same stretchiness and gooeyness that traditional pizza cheese offers.
It is also important to consider the cooking method when melting Daiya cheese on pizza. While microwaving leftover pizza may be convenient, it can result in rubbery cheese and a less-than-desirable crust. Instead, cooking the pizza in the oven or on the stovetop may yield better results. Covering the pan with a lid and turning off the heat during the final stages of cooking can also help ensure that the cheese melts properly.
Finally, seasoning aggressively is key when using Daiya cheese. Since Daiya lacks the natural saltiness of traditional cheese, adding extra seasoning can help enhance the flavor and create a more satisfying pizza experience.
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Daiya cheese melting point vs. dairy cheese
Daiya is a brand of vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free cheese. It is made from oat cream and is marketed as having a "cheesy" flavour and melting like dairy cheese. Daiya cheese is available in shreds, slices, blocks, sticks, crumbles, and cream cheese spreads.
Daiya cheese can be used in the same way as dairy cheese and is suitable for melting. It can be used on cheeseburgers, in grilled cheese sandwiches, and in sauces for baked mac 'n' cheese, cauliflower and potato gratins, and lasagna.
To melt Daiya cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich, some recommend pre-melting the cheese in a toaster oven before moving it to a pan for grilling the bread. Others suggest cooking the bread to completion, adding the cheese, then covering the pan with a lid and turning off the heat to allow the cheese to melt.
The melting point of Daiya cheese has not been publicly disclosed by the manufacturer. However, in an independent test, Daiya Cheddar Style Shred was found to melt at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F (176°C and 204°C).
In comparison, the melting point of dairy cheese can vary depending on the type of cheese and its composition. For example, harder cheeses like cheddar have a higher melting point than softer cheeses like mozzarella. The melting point of cheddar cheese is typically around 110°C (230°F), while mozzarella cheese melts at a lower temperature of around 60°C (140°F).
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How Daiya cheese is made
Daiya cheese is a plant-based, dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese. It is made from a blend of water, oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, and other ingredients, including coconut oil, modified potato starch, and corn starch. The combination of these ingredients creates a product that mimics the taste, texture, and behaviour of dairy cheese, melting in the same way as traditional cheese.
Daiya Foods, the company behind Daiya cheese, was founded in 2008 and has since become a pioneer in the plant-based food space, starting with cheese and expanding into cheese-forward foods like pizza, mac & cheese, and frozen cheesecake. The company won several awards for its innovative products, including the VegNews Veggie Award in 2009, 2011, and 2012, and the PETA Proggy Award for Company of the Year in 2010.
The process of making Daiya cheese involves combining traditional cheesemaking methods with plant-based ingredients. The exact ratios and processes are likely proprietary, but the result is a product that caters to those with dietary restrictions or preferences, such as lactose intolerance, veganism, or gluten intolerance. Daiya cheese is certified gluten-free by GFCO.
Daiya cheese can be purchased in various forms, including shreds, blocks, slices, sticks, crumbles, and cream cheese spreads. These products are designed to be used in the same way as dairy cheese, melting and stretching to create a gooey, creamy texture. The lack of oiliness in Daiya cheese means it may not deliver the same stretchiness as dairy cheese, but it still performs well in dishes like sandwiches, cheeseburgers, sauces, and baked goods.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Daiya cheddar cheese melts. It is a dairy-free, plant-based alternative to cheese that is designed to melt. It can be used in the same way as dairy cheese and is perfect for sandwiches, cheeseburgers, pizzas, casseroles and sauces.
Daiya cheddar cheese has a higher melting point than dairy cheese. It is recommended to let the cheese come to room temperature before melting. You can also try using high heat with margarine on the outside of the sandwich and pressing it down with a spatula as it cooks.
Daiya cheddar cheese can be used in a variety of recipes that call for melted cheese, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, pizzas, casseroles, sauces, and more. For a vegan cheese sauce, you can combine Daiya cheddar-style shreds with melted vegan margarine, dairy-free milk, nutritional yeast, oregano, and turmeric.
