Patrick Oconnell
Bread cheese, also known as Juustoleipä, is a Finnish delicacy that resembles a piece of toasted bread. It is traditionally made from raw reindeer milk cooked in a wood oven, but cow's milk versions are also available. This cheese has a long shelf life of up to 6 months when refrigerated and 1 year in the freezer. When warmed, it develops a buttery soft texture and can be cooked in various ways, including grilling, pan-frying, and broiling. One popular method is to cook bread cheese in a skillet, where the cheese is lightly brushed with olive oil or cooked on a non-stick pan until browned and warmed through. It can be served with sweet or savoury ingredients and paired with white wine, beer, or coffee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Bread Cheese |
| Other Names | Juustoleipä, Finnish Bread Cheese |
| Origin | Finland |
| Main Ingredient | Reindeer Milk (traditional), Cow's Milk (modern) |
| Oven Temperature | 375°F |
| Pan Type | Non-stick skillet |
| Pan Temperature | Medium-high heat |
| Oil Type | Olive oil, Cooking oil |
| Serving Temperature | Warm |
| Texture | Soft, "squeaky", silky-smooth |
| Taste | Mild, buttery |
| Accompaniments | White wine, beer, coffee, honey, fruit jam, fruit butters, syrups, nuts, dried fruit, salads, grilled veggies, pastas, marinara, olives, cooked steak cubes, tomatoes, balsamic glaze, bruschetta, warm soup |
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What You'll Learn
Lightly grease the skillet
When cooking bread cheese in a skillet, it is important to lightly grease the skillet to prevent the cheese from sticking. You can use a variety of oils to grease the skillet, such as olive oil, cooking oil, or another oil of your choice.
To lightly grease the skillet, start by adding a small amount of oil to the skillet. Use a brush or a paper towel to evenly distribute the oil across the surface of the skillet, including the sides. You only need a thin layer of oil, so be sure to wipe off any excess.
If you are using a cast iron skillet, it is especially important to properly grease it to prevent sticking. Cast iron skillets have a porous surface that can absorb oil, so be sure to use enough oil to coat the entire cooking surface.
Once the skillet is lightly greased, you can proceed with cooking your bread cheese. Place the bread cheese in the skillet and cook over medium-high heat until browned and warmed through, turning it gently to sear all sides.
Lightly greasing the skillet ensures that your bread cheese will not stick to the pan, creating a smoother cooking process and making cleanup easier. It also helps to create a crispy, golden crust on your bread cheese, enhancing its flavour and texture.
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Sear cheese until browned
To sear bread cheese in a skillet until browned, start by removing the cheese from its packaging and cutting it into pieces. Next, lightly brush the cheese with olive oil on all sides. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the surface of your skillet with olive oil.
Place a non-stick skillet on your stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the skillet is hot, place the bread cheese in the skillet and sear until browned, gently turning to ensure that all sides are browned and warmed through.
It is important to note that bread cheese has a high melting point, so it will not melt like other cheeses but will instead crisp up nicely when fried. The browning process can also be achieved in an oven by baking the cheese at 375°F until bubbly or using a toaster to achieve a blast of high temperature in a short period of time.
Once your cheese is browned, you can serve it with a variety of sweet or savory garnishes, such as honey, fruit jam, nuts, or olives. It can also be paired with white wine, beer, or coffee.
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Flip and repeat
When cooking bread cheese in a skillet, flipping the cheese at the right time is crucial to achieving the perfect crust and ensuring even cooking. Here is a detailed guide to help you master the art of flipping and repeating:
Preparation:
Before placing the cheese in the skillet, it is essential to prepare it properly. Start by removing the packaging and cutting the cheese into your desired size and shape. You can cut it into bite-sized cubes, small blocks, or larger pieces, depending on your preference. If you plan to skewer the cheese, this is the step to do so.
Heating the Skillet:
Place a non-stick skillet on your stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high. It is crucial to let the skillet heat up adequately before adding the cheese. Grease the skillet lightly with olive oil or cooking oil. You can brush the oil directly onto the skillet's surface or brush it onto the cheese before placing it in the skillet.
Flipping and Repeating:
Now, you're ready for the flipping and repeating process. Once you've placed the cheese in the skillet, let it cook until it develops a browned, toasted crust. The cooking time will vary depending on your heat source and the size of your cheese pieces, so stay vigilant and keep an eye on it. When the cheese has browned sufficiently on one side, it's time to flip it. Use a spatula or a similar utensil to carefully turn the cheese over. Repeat this process until all sides of the cheese have a beautiful, browned crust, and the cheese is warmed through.
Tips for Success:
- Don't overcrowd the skillet. Leave enough space between each piece of cheese to ensure even cooking and easy flipping.
- Be gentle when flipping the cheese to avoid breaking it apart.
- If you're cooking bite-sized cubes, you can skewer them to make flipping easier and more efficient.
- Adjust the heat as needed. If the cheese is browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
Mastering the art of flipping and repeating will ensure that your bread cheese develops a delicious crust and warms evenly throughout. Enjoy experimenting with this unique and versatile ingredient!
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Serve with sweet or savoury sides
Bread cheese is a Finnish delicacy that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, pan-frying, and broiling. When warmed, it develops a buttery soft texture. It can be served with both sweet and savoury sides, depending on your preference.
For a sweet treat, drizzle honey, fruit jam, fruit butters, syrups, nuts, or dried fruit over the cheese. Bread cheese has a natural affinity for preserves and other sweeteners. A particularly delicious combination is hot honey with red pepper flakes drizzled over the cheese.
If you prefer savoury flavours, serve your bread cheese with warmed bread, grilled vegetables, salads, pasta, or marinara sauce. It also goes well with olives, cooked steak cubes, and tomatoes. For a more interactive experience, create a platter with various savoury options and let your guests choose their favourite combinations.
Bread cheese also pairs well with certain beverages. The Finns traditionally pair it with coffee, but it also goes well with white wine or beer.
When cooking bread cheese in a skillet, remember to lightly brush the cheese with olive oil or grease the skillet before adding the cheese to ensure it doesn't stick. You can cut the cheese into cubes or blocks before cooking, or even skewer it for a fun presentation.
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Enjoy as a snack, appetiser, or dessert
Bread cheese, also known as Juustoleipä, is a Finnish delicacy traditionally made from raw reindeer milk and cooked in a wood oven. It is now also made in Wisconsin with cow's milk. The cheese is pressed into bread-sized blocks and baked in special ovens until the sugars on the outside are caramelized, resulting in a block of cheese that resembles a piece of toasted bread. Bread cheese has a long shelf life of up to 6 months when refrigerated and 1 year in the freezer.
When warmed up, bread cheese develops a buttery soft texture and can be enjoyed as a snack, appetiser, or dessert. Here are some ways to cook and serve bread cheese:
Pan-fried Bread Cheese
- Cut the bread cheese into pieces or cubes.
- Place a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and grease it lightly with olive oil or cooking oil.
- Sear the cheese on all sides until browned and warmed through.
- Serve with sweet or savoury garnishes. For a sweet option, try a drizzle of honey, a dollop of fruit jam, fruit butters, syrups, nuts, or dried fruit. For a savoury option, pair it with grilled vegetables, salads, pasta, marinara sauce, olives, steak cubes, or tomatoes.
Grilled Bread Cheese
- Remove the packaging and cut the bread cheese into pieces. Skewer the cheese cubes (optional).
- Lightly brush the cheese with olive oil. Alternatively, grease a grilling pan with oil.
- Heat the grilling pan over medium-high heat or preheat your grill to medium-hot.
- Place the bread cheese on the pan or grill and char until grill marks appear, gently turning to cook all sides.
- Serve immediately with your choice of sweet or savoury garnishes.
Baked or Broiled Bread Cheese
- Place the bread cheese on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in an oven preheated to 375°F until bubbly.
- To broil, place the cheese in the lower part of the oven and watch closely to prevent burning. Flip to the other side after a few minutes.
- Serve warm with your favourite garnishes.
Bread cheese can also be enjoyed by simply dunking it in a cup of coffee, as is traditional in Finland.
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Frequently asked questions
Bread cheese is a Finnish delicacy that is now also made in Wisconsin. It is traditionally made from raw reindeer milk cooked in a wood oven, but cow's milk versions are also available. It is similar to halloumi in that it has a soft, "squeaky" texture and doesn't melt easily. It is usually served warm.
First, cut the bread cheese into pieces and skewer them (optional). Lightly brush the cheese with olive oil on all sides or grease a non-stick skillet with olive oil. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and put the bread cheese on it. Sear the cheese on all sides until browned and warmed through.
Bread cheese can be served with sweet or savoury ingredients. Sweet options include honey, fruit jam, fruit butters, syrups, nuts, and dried fruit. Savoury options include grilled veggies, salads, pasta, marinara sauce, olives, steak cubes, and tomatoes. You can also pair it with white wine, beer, or coffee.
Bread cheese can be stored in beeswax, cheese paper, or a plastic storage bag. It lasts up to 6 months in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer.
