The Ultimate Guide To Serving Finnish Bread Cheese

Finnish bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or Finnish squeaky cheese, is a semi-soft cheese with a unique bread-like texture and a salty yet mild flavour. It is traditionally made with reindeer milk, although cow's milk and goat's milk variants are also available. Finnish bread cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways, both sweet and savoury. It can be grilled, pan-fried, or broiled, and paired with ingredients such as honey, jam, tapenade, or chutney. It is also commonly enjoyed as a breakfast treat, dipped in coffee, or paired with beer.

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How to cook Finnish bread cheese

Finnish bread cheese, or juustoleipä, is a unique, bread-like cheese that originated in Finland. It is traditionally made with reindeer milk but can also be made with goat or cow's milk. The cheese has a chewy and firm texture and a salty yet mild flavour. It is an excellent grilling cheese and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, pan-frying, and broiling.

To grill Finnish bread cheese, first remove it from the packaging and cut it into pieces. Lightly brush the cheese with olive oil on all sides or grease the surface of the grilling pan. Heat the grilling pan to medium-high heat or preheat your grill to medium-hot. Place the cheese pieces on the pan or grill and char, gently turning until grill marks appear and the cheese is softened. Serve immediately.

You can also pan-fry Finnish bread cheese. Place a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and grease it with olive oil. Pan-fry the cheese pieces on all sides until the outside is crisped and the inside is soft. Serve with salads, grilled vegetables, pasta, or other savoury dishes.

Another option is to broil the cheese. Set your oven broiler to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the cheese into pieces or cubes and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Broil in the lower part of the oven until the surface is bubbly, keeping a close eye on it as oven temperatures may vary. You can serve the broiled cheese plain or with sweet or savoury toppings.

Finnish bread cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be served as a snack, appetizer, breakfast, or dessert. It is commonly paired with coffee, especially in Finland, where it is traditionally dipped into the coffee to warm and soften the cheese. Finnish bread cheese can also be served with honey, jam, tapenade, chutney, or other sweet toppings. It can also be used as a dipping vehicle for sauces like marinara or maple syrup.

What to serve it with

Finnish bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or Finnish squeaky cheese, is a versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve it with:

Savory Dishes

• Grilled vegetables: The firm texture of bread cheese makes it a perfect addition to grilled veggies.
• Salads: Cube or slice the cheese and toss it into a fresh salad for a salty and chewy element.
• Pasta: Warmed bread cheese can be a tasty topping for your favourite pasta dish.
• Marinara sauce: Dip cubes of bread cheese into warm marinara sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.
• Olives, tomatoes, and cooked steak cubes: Serve bread cheese on a platter with these ingredients for a delicious and elegant charcuterie board.
• Pizza: Bread cheese can be a great substitute for mozzarella on your pizza.
• Sandwiches: The firm texture of bread cheese also makes it a great sandwich topping.
• Kabobs: Thread cubes of bread cheese onto skewers, alternating with your favourite veggies or meats.
• Tacos: Cube the cheese and add it to your tacos for a salty and chewy surprise.

Sweet Dishes

• Honey: Drizzle honey over the cheese for a sweet and salty combination.
• Fruit jam or preserves: Bread cheese's mild, salty flavour pairs well with any type of fruit jam or preserve.
• Maple syrup: Pour maple syrup over bacon bread cheese for a sweet and savoury breakfast treat.
• Tapenade or chutney: For a more sophisticated snack, serve the cheese with tapenade or chutney.

Drinks

• Coffee: In Finland, bread cheese is traditionally dipped into coffee for a savoury breakfast treat.
• Beer: The salty and chewy cheese pairs well with a crisp beer, such as a Czech pilsner or a fruity ale.
• Wine: Try pairing bread cheese with a glass of white wine for a more sophisticated beverage option.

How to store it

Finnish bread cheese, or Leipäjuusto, has a long shelf life. Once baked, it can be dried and stored for several months. This is how it became a staple food in rural Finland during harsh winters.

If you want to store Finnish bread cheese, it will typically last six months when stored in a refrigerator. If you want to store it for longer, you can always freeze it, which will make it last for up to a year.

When storing Finnish bread cheese, it is important to keep it in an airtight container. This will help to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out or becoming mouldy.

You should also keep the cheese away from strong-smelling foods, as it can absorb their odours.

It is best to store Finnish bread cheese in a dedicated cheese drawer, if your refrigerator has one. These drawers are designed to maintain a slightly higher humidity level, which can help to keep the cheese fresh for longer.

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Its origins

Finnish bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a traditional Nordic cheese that has been a Finnish favourite for centuries. It originated in the Southern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu regions of northern Finland, and in the Lapland region of neighbouring Sweden, where it was crafted by farmers using milk from reindeer, goats, or cows. The traditional recipe often included cow's colostrum, a nutrient-rich first milk that gave the cheese its signature creamy texture.

Leipäjuusto has deep roots in Finnish culture, dating back centuries. It is said to have originated about 200 years ago and became a protein-laden staple for the nomadic Saami tribes of Scandinavia. The cheese could be dried and stored for months or even years, making it a reliable food source during harsh winters.

The name leipäjuusto translates directly to "bread cheese" in Finnish, with "leipä" meaning "bread" and "juusto" meaning "cheese". The cheese is also sometimes called juustoleipä, "cheese bread", or Finnish squeaky cheese due to the sound it makes when bitten into.

Today, leipäjuusto remains a cherished part of Finnish cuisine, with modern cheesemakers honouring its traditional techniques and flavours. It is often served with coffee or cloudberry jam, connecting people with Finland's culinary history.

How to eat it

Finnish bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or Finnish squeaky cheese, is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to eat this unique and delicious cheese:

Grilling, Pan-Frying, and Broiling

One popular way to prepare Finnish bread cheese is by grilling, pan-frying, or broiling it. Cut the cheese into pieces or cubes, then lightly brush them with olive oil or grease the cooking surface. Heat a grilling pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and place the cheese on the surface. Char the cheese gently, turning it on all sides until grill marks appear and it softens. You can also broil the cheese in the oven by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, placing the cheese cubes, and broiling in the lower part of the oven until the surface is bubbly.

Dipping and Pairing

Finnish bread cheese is an excellent cheese for dipping and pairing. One traditional way to enjoy it is by dunking strips of the cheese into a cup of hot coffee, allowing the heat of the coffee to warm and soften the cheese. It can also be dipped into marinara sauce, honey, maple syrup, or fruit jam and preserves. For a more substantial meal, pair it with grilled vegetables, pasta, or salad.

Appetizers and Snacks

Finnish bread cheese makes a great appetizer or snack. Skewer cubes of the cheese and serve them with preserves, or add them to a charcuterie board alongside meats, olives, and crackers. It can also be cubed and added to tacos or served as a sandwich topping. For a unique twist, try freezing cubes of the cheese and then deep-frying them.

Breakfast and Dessert

Finnish bread cheese is commonly enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert item. In Finland, it is traditionally served with coffee, but it can also be paired with sweet toppings such as honey, syrup, or fruit preserves. For a breakfast treat, try bacon bread cheese with maple syrup, or mix cubes of the cheese into hot breakfast potatoes.

Frequently asked questions