Kamil Perry
Cutting a wheel of blue cheese can seem daunting, but it's not as hard as you may think. The first step is to decide how much cheese you want to cut. If you're making a cheese platter, cut the wheel in half, then cut each half in half again to create quarters. Then, cut these quarters into smaller wedges. For soft blue cheese, a cheese wire or harp can help create a smooth, even cut, but a paring knife will also work. For harder blue cheeses, a small hatchet knife or hard cheese knife can be used to cut even-sized wedges from the centre outward.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cutting tools | Cheese wire or harp, paring knife, core knife, small hatchet knife, hard cheese knife, soft cheese knife |
| Cutting technique | Cut into even wedges from the center outward, leaving a piece of rind on top |
| Serving suggestions | Pair with fruity jams such as raspberry or apricot, or with nuts like almonds, cashews, and peanuts |
| Eating the rind | A matter of personal preference; the rind on some cheeses like Parmesan is usually too hard to eat |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sharp knife to cut the wheel into small, cake-like sections
When cutting a wheel of blue cheese, it is best to use a sharp knife. Start by resting the tip of the knife in the centre of the wheel. Then, move the end of the knife closest to the handle over 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) and slice. Repeat this process, moving around the whole wheel, to create small, cake-like sections.
If you are creating a cheese platter or charcuterie board, you may wish to cut the wheel into smaller wedges. To do this, first cut the wheel in half, and then cut each half in half, creating four quarters. Then, use even strokes, starting at the tip of each wedge, to create smaller wedges.
Blue cheese is a soft cheese, so it is important to ensure that the knife slices smoothly and evenly to prevent the knife from pulling the blue mould from the veins. A cheese wire or harp can be useful for this, as it can create a smooth, even cut. If you don't have a cheese wire, a paring knife will also work.
The size and shape of your cheese will dictate how it is cut, but it is also important to consider the texture. When cutting a soft cheese like blue cheese, you want to ensure that everyone gets a bit of the centre, which has a creamy texture.
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Cut the cheese into 1-2 inch wedges
Cutting a wheel of blue cheese into 1-2 inch wedges is a simple process, but it requires a careful hand and the right tools. Blue cheese is a soft cheese, so it is best to use a sharp knife or a cheese wire/harp to make smooth, even cuts.
To start, place the wheel of cheese on a clean, flat surface. If the wheel is too large to handle comfortably, you can first cut it in half, and then into quarters, to create more manageable pieces. This will make it easier to cut the cheese into the desired wedge size.
Now, take your sharp knife or cheese wire and rest the tip in the centre of the wheel, or quarter-wheel. If using a knife, gently press the blade into the cheese, reaching from the top centre to the side edge. If using a wire, position it where you want to slice and push down. Then, keeping the tip of the knife or wire in the centre, move it outwards about 1-2 inches and make another cut. Repeat this process around the wheel, or the quarter-wheel, until you have created the desired number of wedges.
If you are serving the cheese, you may want to leave a piece of the rind on each wedge. This is entirely a matter of personal preference, as some people find the rind too hard or bitter. However, the cheese just underneath the rind is often one of the most delicious parts, so it is worth trying!
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Use a cheese wire or harp to cut soft blue cheese
Using a cheese wire or harp is a great way to cut soft blue cheese. This method is extremely useful for soft blue cheese as it prevents the knife from pulling the blue mold from the veins.
To use a cheese wire or harp, start by positioning it where you want to make your slice. Then, simply push down to create a smooth, even cut. You can use the cheese wire or harp to cut the triangular-shaped rind from the side of the wedge. If you don't have access to a cheese wire or harp, a paring knife can also get the job done.
When using a cheese wire, it is recommended to hold the wedge in your hand as you make the cuts. This will give you more control and precision during the cutting process. With the cheese wire, you can create thin slices that pair well with crackers or vegetables. For example, you can arrange celery sticks, crinkle-cut carrots, and sliced cucumber around the soft blue cheese for a crisp and refreshing contrast.
The cheese wire or harp is a valuable tool for cutting and portioning blue cheese. It provides a smooth and efficient cut, preventing the cheese from cracking or splitting, which can occur when using a knife. The wire creates less friction than a knife, making it easier and less tiring to cut through the cheese.
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Cut the cheese into small, triangular wedges
To cut a wheel of blue cheese into small, triangular wedges, you can follow these steps:
First, place the wheel of cheese on a flat surface and use a sharp knife to cut the cheese in half. You can use a long, large-bladed knife for this initial cut, especially if the cheese is hard and thick to cut through. With a smaller wheel, you may only need to cut it in half and then into wedges.
Next, take one of the halves and place it flat on the cutting surface. Cut this half into smaller sections by making even strokes with your knife, starting at the tip of the wedge and moving towards the center of the wheel. Repeat this process with the other half until you have the desired number of wedges.
Now, take each wedge and cut it into smaller, triangular pieces. You can do this by placing the wedge on its side and using a cheese harp, wire, or a sharp knife to cut perpendicular to the rectangular wedge, creating small triangles with a piece of rind on one side. If you're using a cheese wire or harp, you can hold the wedge in your hand as you cut.
Finally, if you're serving the cheese, you can pair it with complementary foods. Small wedges of blue cheese go well with fruity jams like raspberry or apricot, and crisp, crunchy vegetables like celery, carrots, and cucumber.
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Cut the rind into triangular pieces
When cutting a wheel of blue cheese, it's important to consider the texture of the cheese and the desired serving size. Blue cheese is typically soft, so using a cheese wire or harp can be helpful to create smooth, even cuts without pulling the blue mold from the veins. Here's how to cut the rind into triangular pieces:
Start by positioning the cheese wire or harp at the edge of the wheel, where you want to make your first cut. Push down firmly and smoothly to create your first triangular wedge. You can also use a paring knife if you don't have access to a cheese wire or harp. It is recommended to hold the wedge in your hand as you make the cuts.
Continue making cuts of equal width around the wheel, creating a triangular wedge with each cut. The size of your wedges will depend on the desired serving portion. For a smaller serving size, you can make thinner wedges, and for a larger portion, you can cut thicker wedges. Remember to always hold the cheese firmly with one hand while cutting with the other to ensure a steady and controlled cut.
Once you have cut the wheel into triangular wedges, you can further cut these wedges into smaller pieces if desired. Place the wedge on its side with the tip facing you. Center the tip of your knife on the tip of the wedge and angle the knife to cut at a 45-degree angle. This will create a triangular slice from the side of the wedge. Repeat this cutting motion in a radial pattern, adjusting the thickness of the slices to your preference.
Remember, the rind on blue cheese is edible and can add a unique flavor to your dish. However, whether you choose to eat the rind or not is a matter of personal preference. Some people suggest trying a small piece of the cheese just underneath the rind, as this part is often considered especially tasty.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a cheese wire or harp to cut the cheese into even wedges, from the centre outward. Position the harp where you want to slice and push down to create a smooth, even cut.
A paring knife will work if you don't have a cheese wire or harp. Soft cheese knives are designed with holes in the blade to handle the gooey textures of blue cheese.
Use a cheese wire or harp to prevent the knife from sticking to the cheese.
Pair blue cheese with fruity jams such as raspberry or apricot, or bitter foods like raw chocolate and broccoli rabe.
