Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to snacks and sides. Its intense, creamy taste makes it a perfect addition to a salad, but cutting it into the perfect slices or crumbles can be challenging. Depending on the shape of the cheese, different cutting techniques are required to evenly distribute flavours and create aesthetically pleasing portions. In this discussion, we will explore the best methods for cutting goat cheese, including the use of knives, dental floss, and kitchen twine, to ensure your goat cheese salad is not only delicious but also beautifully presented.
How to cut goat cheese for a salad
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Knife, cheese harp, dental floss or kitchen twine |
| Type of knife | Sharp, damp, traditional knife with a curved tip and twin-forked end |
| Technique | Cut into equal parts from the center to the edge, cut thin triangular portions |
| Temperature | Cheese should be cold or chilled |
| Serving size | Cut into 8 equal portions |
| Cheese type | Round, log, pyramid, triangle, ball, disk |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sharp and damp knife to cut goat cheese
Using a sharp and damp knife is an effective way to cut goat cheese for a salad. This method helps prevent the cheese from crumbling into chunks and ensures your slices are perfect. Before you start cutting, it is important to note that the cheese should be cold, as goat cheese at room temperature will be hard to slice.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your knife. Take a sharp knife and dampen it with water. You will need to dampen the knife at each cut to ensure it remains humid. This will prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife.
Next, you can begin cutting the goat cheese. Depending on the shape of your goat cheese, you will need to use different cutting techniques. For round cheeses, cut from the center outward to the rind and serve same-sized triangular wedges. For long cheeses, cut into round slices. For pyramid-shaped cheeses, cut thin triangular portions from the center down through the height of the cheese. To avoid the last portion being just the rind, always carve a tip on each piece.
If you are looking to crumble your goat cheese, you can cut it into small pieces with a knife and then use a fork to crumble it further. Alternatively, you can use dental floss or kitchen twine to cut the cheese into neat slices.
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Cut goat cheese with dental floss or kitchen twine
Cutting goat cheese with dental floss or kitchen twine is a great way to get perfect, mess-free slices. This technique is especially useful for soft, crumbly goat cheese, which can be difficult to cut with a knife. By using dental floss or kitchen twine, you can achieve neat, even slices without the cheese crumbling or sticking to the cutting tool.
To cut goat cheese with dental floss or kitchen twine, start by cutting a piece of floss or twine that is long enough to cover the edges of the cheese wheel, with a bit of extra length at either end to hold onto. If you are working with a small piece of cheese, you can hold it in one hand while using the other hand to pull the floss taut and cut through the cheese. For larger pieces of cheese, place the cheese on a surface and shimmy the floss or twine beneath it, lining it up with where you want to make your first slice. Then, hold the ends of the floss or twine in either hand and pull upwards, crossing the two ends to complete the cut. Repeat this process at equal intervals to create uniform slices.
Dental floss or kitchen twine is particularly effective for cutting goat cheese because it can be held taut, which is important due to the presence of casein, a calcium-laden protein rim in cheese that does not respond well to quick cutting motions. By using dental floss or kitchen twine and cutting slowly, the cheese will behave more like a liquid than a solid, making it easier to manipulate and resulting in neat slices.
In addition to being effective, using dental floss or kitchen twine to cut goat cheese can also be a more sanitary option than using a knife, as it reduces the surface area in contact with the cheese and minimises the amount of cheese that sticks to the cutting tool. This technique is also useful if you do not have very sharp knives at home, as dull knives can further contribute to the cheese crumbling or sticking when cut.
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Cut goat cheese into equal parts from the centre to the edge
Cutting goat cheese into equal parts from the centre to the edge is the recommended technique for round cheeses. This method ensures that each slice has the same amount of flavour and nuance from the softest, creamiest centre to the pronounced flavour of the rind.
To cut goat cheese into equal parts from the centre to the edge, start by preparing your tools. You can use a traditional knife with a curved tip and a twin-forked end, a sharp and damp knife, or dental floss/kitchen twine. If you opt for the knife method, you will need to wet the knife at each cut to ensure it is humid and prevent the cheese from sticking to the knife and crumbling. If you use dental floss or kitchen twine, you will need to cut a piece long enough to cover the edges of the wheel and leave a length at either end.
Next, place the goat cheese on a flat surface and locate the centre of the cheese. Hold the knife or dental floss/kitchen twine at the centre point and cut through the cheese from the centre to the edge. Repeat this process, cutting the cheese into equal parts from the centre to the edge.
For long goat cheeses, such as the Ripened goat log, it is recommended to cut them into round slices. Cut thin triangular portions from the centre down through the height of the cheese. To avoid the last portion being just the rind, always carve a tip on each piece. You can then cut parallel slices lengthwise from the tip or diagonally from the edge.
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Cut goat cheese with a cheese harp
Cutting goat cheese with a cheese harp is a great way to get clean, thin, and precise slices. The cheese harp is a type of cheese slicer that is especially popular with fans of goat cheese logs. It is fitted with a cheese-cutting wire, which helps to prevent the cheese from crumbling as you cut. Here are some steps and tips to help you cut goat cheese with a cheese harp:
First, it is recommended to take your goat cheese out of the fridge about an hour before serving. This will bring the cheese to room temperature and make it easier to slice. Place the cheese on a flat surface and ensure your cheese harp is clean and ready to use.
When using the cheese harp, you won't need to move the cheese around. Simply hold the harp in one hand and gently press the wire down onto the cheese, using a smooth, controlled motion. The wire will cut through the cheese, creating a thin and precise slice. Repeat this process to create as many slices as needed.
Depending on the shape of your goat cheese, you may want to adjust the angle and depth of your cuts. For round cheeses, cut from the center outward to create triangular wedges, similar to cutting a cake. For long, log-shaped cheeses, cut straight down to create round slices. If you have a pyramid-shaped cheese, cut thin triangular portions from the center down through the height.
Remember to wipe the wire of your cheese harp clean between cuts, especially if you are slicing multiple types of cheese with different flavors. This will prevent any flavor transfer and ensure each slice is perfect. With the cheese harp, you can easily create beautiful and consistent slices of goat cheese for your salad, preserving the aromas and extending the shelf life of your cheese.
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Crumble goat cheese with your hands or a fork
Crumbling goat cheese with your hands or a fork is a great option if you're looking for a quick and easy way to prepare your cheese for a salad. This method is especially useful if you're working with a super creamy goat cheese that tends to stick to a knife.
To start, open the goat cheese by removing its wrapping. If the cheese is very sticky, you can place it on a piece of foil or waxed paper. Using a knife, cut the cheese into small pieces. If you're using your hands, invert the paper over your salad and scrape the cheese into it, allowing it to crumble as it falls. This technique helps to avoid the cheese sticking to your hands.
Alternatively, if you prefer to use a fork, simply place the cheese on a plate or cutting board and use the fork to break it up into smaller pieces. Freezing the cheese for a few minutes before crumbling can also help to firm it up and make it easier to work with. This method is particularly useful if you want to avoid warming the cheese with your body heat, which can occur when using your hands.
Using a fork or your hands to crumble goat cheese is a simple and effective way to prepare this delicious and creamy cheese for a salad. While it may not result in perfectly uniform pieces, the rustic crumbles will only add to the charm of your dish.
Remember, when adding goat cheese to a salad, it's important to consider the other ingredients and how they will pair with the cheese. Goat cheese has a rich, creamy, and slightly tart flavour, so choose ingredients that complement these characteristics.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cut goat cheese for a salad. You can use a knife, dental floss, or kitchen twine. If you are using a knife, it is recommended to use a sharp and damp knife, and to wet the knife at each cut to ensure it is humid and does not stick to the cheese. If you are using dental floss or kitchen twine, slide the floss or twine under the goat cheese log and line it up to where you want to make your first slice. Hold the ends of the floss or twine with either hand, pull the string straight up, and cross them in the center to cut through the cheese log.
The thickness of the goat cheese slices will depend on the shape of the cheese and your personal preference. For a log-shaped goat cheese, it is recommended to cut slices that are about 2.5-3cm thick.
You can use a traditional knife with a curved tip and twin-forked end, or a cheese harp, which is fitted with a cheese-cutting wire that allows for clean, thin, and precise cuts.
Yes, it is recommended to cut goat cheese while it is still cold, as goat cheese that is at room temperature will be hard to slice.
Depending on the shape of the goat cheese, you may need to cut it into equal parts from the center to the edge. For round cheeses, cut from the center outward to the rind and serve same-sized triangular wedges. For long cheeses, cut into round slices. For pyramid-shaped cheeses, cut thin triangular portions from the center down through the height of the cheese, carving a tip on each piece to avoid the last portion being just the rind.
