Andy Montoya
Juustoleipä, pronounced yoo-stoh-lei-pah in Finnish and hoo-stah-lee-pah in American English, is a Scandinavian cheese that has been produced in Finland and Sweden for over 200 years. It is also known as bread cheese due to its resemblance to bread after the baking process forms a tasty crust. Juusto is a buttery-flavoured, flat, and squeaky cheese that can be served in a variety of ways, including warm or cold, sliced or in chunks, and with toppings such as jam, honey, or syrup. One popular method of preparation is to heat the cheese in a pan or on a grill to create a warm and creamy treat.
Serving Juusto Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Serving Options | Cold, sliced or in chunks |
| Warm, in the oven, microwave, or skillet | |
| Pan-fried | |
| Grilled | |
| Serving Temperature | Warm or cold |
| Texture | Similar to feta cheese before pressing |
| Softened and creamy when heated | |
| Taste | Buttery |
| Crust | Sweet, caramelized, toasted, and crusty |
| Serving Size | 6 oz |
| Accompaniments | Jam, honey, maple syrup, or fresh greens |
| Variations | Smoked, herb, hot & spicy jalapeño |
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What You'll Learn
Warm in the oven, microwave, or skillet
Juustoleipä, or "bread cheese", can be warmed in the oven, microwave, or skillet. This Scandinavian cheese has been made for over 200 years and is known for its distinctive "squeak" when eaten cold and its crust when baked. To warm juusto cheese, simply place it in the oven, microwave, or skillet until it glistens. Be aware that the cheese will not melt, but will instead soften into a pleasantly buttery and creamy slice.
When warming juusto cheese in the oven, set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the cheese in for around 5-10 minutes, or until it glistens and the crust turns a golden brown. If using a microwave, place the cheese on a microwavable plate and heat for 10-20 seconds, keeping a close eye on it to avoid overcooking. For a skillet, heat the cheese on medium heat for a few minutes on each side, or until the desired colour and texture are achieved.
Once warmed, juusto cheese can be cut into strips and served for breakfast or dessert with toppings such as jam, honey, or syrup. It can also be enjoyed as a savoury dish, paired with fresh greens or other grilled cheese toppings. The cheese can be served warm or cold and makes a great gluten-free alternative to grilled cheese sandwiches.
When purchasing juusto cheese, look for speciality cheese stores or online retailers that offer Finnish or Scandinavian cheeses. The cheese typically comes in blocks the size and shape of a slice of bread and can be found in flavours like smoked, herb, and hot and spicy jalapeño.
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Cut into strips
Juustoleipä, or "bread cheese", is a Scandinavian cheese that has been made in Finland and Sweden for over 200 years. It is a buttery-flavoured, flat, and squeaky cheese. The cheese is baked to create a sweet caramelized and toasted crust resembling brown bread.
To serve juusto cheese cut into strips, first warm the cheese in an oven, microwave, or skillet until it glistens. Then, cut the cheese into strips and serve. You can serve the strips with jam, honey, or syrup for breakfast or dessert.
Juusto cheese is often compared to a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread. As such, you can consider using the same toppings you would use on a grilled cheese sandwich. For example, you can serve juusto cheese with fresh greens.
In Finland, Finns eat the cheese warm for breakfast, dunked in coffee or served with maple syrup or honey. It can also be served as a dessert with a topping of jam.
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Serve with jam, honey, or syrup
Juusto cheese is a Finnish bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or ostbrod cheese. It is baked, giving it a caramelized brown crust and a milky white center. The cheese is firm and flat, with a chewy texture and a salty, mildly fruity flavour.
Juusto cheese can be served with jam, honey, or syrup. When served with these condiments, the cheese can be eaten warm or cold. For a warm, creamy treat, the cheese can be heated in a pan, on a grill, or in the microwave. The cheese will not melt but will soften. It can also be served cold, sliced or in chunks, which will give it a distinctive "squeak" when bitten into.
When served with jam, honey, or syrup, Juusto cheese can be eaten as a dessert or for breakfast. For breakfast, the cheese can be dunked in honey, syrup, or jam, or even in coffee.
The cheese can also be served with other dips, such as salsa.
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Eat cold, sliced or in chunks
Juustoleipä, or "bread cheese", is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum. It is known for its distinctive "squeak" when eaten cold, sliced, or in chunks, resembling the sound of fresh cheese curds.
When served cold, juusto cheese retains its signature texture and mouthfeel. The cheese is firm and slightly dry, resulting in a unique "squeaky" sensation when bitten into. This texture is attributed to the baking process, where the cheese forms a crust similar to bread.
To prepare juusto cheese for cold serving, it is typically cut into slices or chunks. The slices are often similar in size and shape to a slice of bread, making it convenient for serving. The cheese can be stored in a well-ventilated place for a few days to prolong its freshness.
When eating juusto cheese cold, it is common to pair it with various toppings, similar to those used on grilled cheese sandwiches. This versatility allows individuals to customize their cheese experience according to their preferences. The cheese can also be enjoyed on its own, providing a simple yet satisfying snack.
In Finland, juusto cheese is sometimes eaten for breakfast, dunked in coffee or served with maple syrup or honey. This unique cheese can also be enjoyed as a dessert, topped with jam or cloud berries. Whether as a snack, breakfast, or dessert, juusto cheese offers a delightful cold treat.
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Pan-fry with fresh greens
Juustoleipä, also known as "bread cheese", is a Scandinavian original that has been produced in Finland and Sweden for over 200 years. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and has a buttery flavour. The cheese gets its name from the baking process, which forms a crust similar to bread.
To pan-fry Juusto with fresh greens, cut the cheese into 1/2-inch dices and warm them slightly in a non-stick skillet. You can serve this with grilled vegetables and fresh salads. For an appetizer, add some easy-to-grab toothpicks and pair with a crisp Pinot Grigio.
You can also experiment with different flavours of Juusto, such as smoked, herb, and hot and spicy jalapeño. The cheese can be served warm or cold, but it is best heated up in a pan or on a grill. When cooked, the cheese will not melt but will instead soften into a creamy texture.
For a unique dessert option, serve the cheese with toppings such as jam, maple syrup, or honey.
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Frequently asked questions
Juusto Cheese, also known as Juustoleipä or "bread cheese", can be served cold and sliced or in chunks. However, it is best cooked by heating it up in a pan, on a grill, in the oven, or in the microwave until it glistens.
Juusto is a buttery-flavoured, flat, and squeaky cheese. It has a sweet caramelized, toasted crust similar to brown bread.
Juusto Cheese is often compared to grilled cheese sandwiches and can be served with toppings such as greens, jam, honey, or syrup.
Juusto Cheese, or Juustoleipä, has been produced in Finland and Sweden for over 200 years, originally made from reindeer milk.
Juusto Cheese can be found in specialty cheese stores or online food gift retailers.
