Frederic Melton
Gouda is a versatile, sweet, hard cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a common addition to charcuterie boards. If you're serving a wedge of gouda, cut it into long, thin triangles, or paper-thin slices, running the length of the original wedge. You can also grate gouda over your favourite vegetable dishes or stir it into warm dishes to help it melt. It can also be melted and served as fondue with bread chunks, pita chips, croutons, and more for dipping. Gouda is also a great addition to grilled cheese sandwiches, mashed potatoes, soups, casseroles, and pizzas. It pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, and peaches, cured meats, nuts, olives, honey, crackers, and whole grain bread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cutting | Cut into wedges, triangles, cubes, slices, or rectangles |
| Cut away the wax coating and rind | |
| Cut into thin pieces if the cheese is hard | |
| Serving suggestions | Serve with fruits like apples, pears, and peaches |
| Serve with whole grain bread, crackers, rye bread, salami, or mustard | |
| Grate over vegetables, casseroles, mashed potatoes, macaroni, or pizza | |
| Bake in puff pastry | |
| Make fondue, quiche, omelettes, or frittata | |
| Melt over burgers | |
| Use as a substitute for mozzarella | |
| Add to grilled cheese sandwiches |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting and serving a wedge of gouda
Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. When cutting and serving a wedge of gouda, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best presentation and taste experience. Firstly, gouda is typically served in wedges, so start by cutting the cheese into wedges using a sharp knife. Place the tip of the knife at the centre of the wheel and make a straight cut outwards to the edge. Repeat this process, angling your knife at around 45 degrees for each subsequent cut. If your gouda has a wax coating, be sure to remove it before serving.
Once you have your wedge, you can further cut it into long, thin triangles running the length of the original wedge. This approach works well for thinner wedges, but if your wedge is particularly long, you can cut a few servings from the pointy end and then cut the rest radially. If your wedge is on the thicker side, you can cut it in half and use a cheese planer to create paper-thin triangular slices. If your cheese is hard and crumbly, you may need to cut thicker wedges to prevent crumbling, but don't worry if some pieces do crumble—they're still delicious!
For presentation, you can get creative by fanning out the triangles or even standing them upright. You can also piece the wedge back together, as the cheese's oblong shape means the pieces won't all be the same, adding a unique touch to your platter. If you're serving a younger, softer gouda, you have more flexibility and can cut the triangles as thin as you like. Remember, you can always ask your cheesemonger to cut the cheese for you if you're serving it on the same day.
Gouda pairs well with whole grain bread, crackers, and fruits like pears and peaches. It can also be grated over your favourite vegetable dishes or used in casseroles, such as macaroni and cheese. Enjoy your gouda with a glass of red or white wine, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, for a perfect flavour combination.
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Pairing gouda with other foods
Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. Here are some ideas for pairing gouda with other foods:
Fruits and Vegetables
Gouda goes well with fruits like pears and peaches. You can also add grated gouda to your favourite vegetable dishes. Hold a cheese grater over a bowl and grate some gouda into it. Then, sprinkle the grated gouda over your finished vegetable dish or stir it into warm vegetable dishes to help it melt.
Bread
You can serve gouda with whole grain bread. The heaviness of whole grain bread pairs nicely with gouda cheese. You can also serve gouda on crackers for a light appetizer.
Meat
If you're looking for a heartier pairing, gouda goes well with meats such as bresaola, pepper-crusted salami, smoked mackerel, and smoked speck.
Condiments
Gouda can be paired with condiments like honey or onion and apple chutney.
Other Foods
Gouda also pairs well with foods like candied ginger, caramelized pears, cherries, grilled peaches, raspberries, shaved melon, strawberries, and breadsticks.
When serving gouda, it is recommended to cut it into thin wedges or triangles. If the cheese is hard and crumbly, thicker wedges may be needed to prevent crumbling. You can also cut the cheese into paper-thin triangular slices using a cheese planer.
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Grating gouda over vegetables
Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. Grating it over vegetables is a great way to serve this cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Preparing the Gouda:
First, remove any wax coating or rind from the cheese. If you are using a large block of gouda, cut it into smaller pieces to make it easier to handle. Chilling the gouda for at least 30 minutes before grating will make the process easier and prevent sticking.
Grating the Gouda:
Use a sharp grater to ensure the cheese is grated, not torn. A box grater with multiple grating surfaces offers versatility and precision. Hold the grater securely over a bowl and position the gouda piece against the desired grating surface. Use a steady, downward motion to grate, rotating the cheese as you go to ensure an even distribution. Grate in small batches to achieve a consistent texture and avoid overcrowding the grater.
Storing Grated Gouda:
Transfer the grated gouda to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze grated gouda for up to 6 months.
Serving Suggestions:
Sprinkle grated gouda over your favourite warm vegetable dishes to enhance the flavour and add a creamy, nutty taste. You can also stir it into the dish to help it melt. Grated gouda pairs well with pasta, soups, stews, pizzas, casseroles, sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Enjoy experimenting with this versatile cheese!
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Melting gouda
Gouda is a hard, sweet cheese that pairs well with a variety of foods and drinks. It can be melted and added to a range of dishes, enhancing their flavour. Melting younger gouda cheeses is easier as they have a higher moisture content, but older gouda can also be melted without losing too much flavour.
Melted gouda is a great addition to a grilled cheese sandwich, as its acidity level is considered ideal for sandwiches. It melts well without becoming too liquid, and it doesn't break down unevenly, giving the chef time to grill the sandwich. Gouda can also be used as a substitute for mozzarella on a pizza, especially with strongly flavoured toppings like pepperoni, pulled pork, or BBQ sauce.
Gouda can be grated and added to your favourite vegetable dishes. It can be stirred into warm vegetable dishes to help it melt and enhance the flavour. It can also be added to macaroni to make mac and cheese, or even frozen and later added to dishes, where it will taste just as good.
Melted gouda is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes to add flavour and texture. It is a good melting cheese, but it is important to note that the quality of the cheese can impact its melting abilities.
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Storing gouda
Gouda cheese should be stored in a well-ventilated area with moderate humidity. Too much moisture will promote mould growth, while a dry environment will cause the cheese to dry out. The fridge is generally the best place to store gouda, specifically in the crisper or vegetable drawer, which tends to be warmer than other parts of the refrigerator.
When it comes to wrapping gouda cheese, the goal is to provide breathability while preventing dryness. Cheese paper is recommended by some as it allows the cheese to breathe and protects its moisture. Parchment or waxed paper can also be used, followed by loose plastic wrap or a plastic bag. For larger blocks or wheels of gouda, wrapping it in a damp cheesecloth before using paper and plastic wrap can be beneficial.
It is important to note that gouda cheese should be allowed to breathe and warm up slightly before consumption. Remove the cheese from the fridge 30 minutes to 2 hours before serving to ensure the best flavour and texture. Additionally, always handle the cheese with care, touching only the rind or crust when cutting to prevent mould formation.
Freezing gouda cheese is not generally recommended as it can alter the flavour and texture. However, if you plan to use it for cooking, freezing can be an option, but it is best to limit the freezing time to no more than 6 months. When thawing frozen gouda, place it in the refrigerator, and use it within a few days for the best flavour and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the cheese into wedges using a sharp knife. Place the tip of the knife in the centre of the wheel and cut outwards. Then, place the tip of the knife back in the centre and move the blade to a 45-degree angle. Slice down and remove the wedge. Cut the wedge horizontally into two or three parts, then slice each wedge into triangles.
Gouda cheese is very versatile and can be served in many ways. It can be enjoyed raw, grated, melted, or cooked into dishes. It pairs well with both sweet and savoury ingredients.
Gouda can be served with fruits like apples, pears, and peaches, as well as cured meats, nuts, and olives. It can also be added to vegetable dishes, mashed potatoes, soups, casseroles, and sandwiches.
Gouda pairs well with both red and white wines. For red wine, try a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, or Zinfandel. For white wine, choose a Chardonnay or white Burgundy.
If the cheese emits a strong, pungent, or sour aroma, it has likely gone bad and should be discarded. Also, commercially produced gouda will have a best-by or expiration date on the label, so check if the cheese is past this date.
