Bushra Griffith
Basket cheese is a smooth, soft Italian cheese that is usually sold in the basket it's made in. It is often used as a cooking ingredient, similar to ricotta, and can be crumbled onto a salad or used in a traditional Italian Easter Pie. Basket cheese can also be enjoyed on its own, or with toast drizzled with olive oil, garlic salt, and tomato. To make basket cheese, you'll need to heat milk to a lukewarm temperature, add Rennet tablets, and let the mixture stand until you have a thick layer of curd. Cut the curd into small pieces, drain the whey, and scoop the curds into a cheese basket. Press the cheese, salt to taste, and refrigerate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Smooth and soft |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, delicate, slightly tangy |
| Consistency | Dense |
| Uses | By itself, on toast, with olive oil, garlic salt, and tomato, in salads, in cooking (similar to ricotta), in Italian Easter Pie, in Pizzagaina (Pizza Rustica) |
| Shelf Life | 3 days |
| Preparation | Heat milk to 85-90F, add Rennet tablets dissolved in water, let stand for 40-45 minutes, cut curd into small pieces, drain whey, scoop curds into basket, press, salt, refrigerate |
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What You'll Learn
Use basket cheese in a traditional Italian Easter Pie
Italian Easter Pie, also known as Pizza Chiena, is a traditional Italian dish made the day before Easter and served at noon to mark the end of Lent. It is a dense, savoury, and delicious pie filled with Italian meats and cheeses. The basket cheese used in this pie is a key ingredient and is typically formed inside a plastic basket and covered in salt to drain out the serum. It is a soft, mildly-flavoured cheese, similar to a combination of ricotta and mozzarella.
To make the pie, you will need to prepare the filling by cutting the meats and mixing them with basket cheese, ricotta, "pizza cheese", parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. You can also add eggs to the mixture and combine well. Preheat the oven to 375ºF and prepare a 9½-inch-diameter springform pan by buttering and flouring the inside. Roll out the dough into two pieces, with one slightly larger than the other. The larger piece will be used for the bottom crust and should be placed into the pan, allowing the excess dough to hang over the edge.
Add the filling to the pan and fold the overhanging dough over the edges of the filling. Place the second, smaller piece of dough on top of the filling and brush the edges with an egg glaze to help it stick. You can create a pattern on the crust, such as a cross, or leave it plain. Before baking, make an egg wash by mixing egg and milk and brush it over the top of the pie, including the crust and edges.
Bake the pie until the crust is golden brown and a knife inserted into the centre comes out hot, which should take about an hour. Transfer the pie to a wire cooling rack and let it stand for an hour. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours or up to a day. Finally, let the pie stand at room temperature for an hour before serving.
The Italian Easter Pie is a delicious tradition that brings family and friends together to celebrate the end of Lent. It is a hearty dish that can be adapted to your taste and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Eat it by itself
Basket cheese is a unique type of cheese that originated in Italy but is now popular in several other countries, including the United States. It is a fresh, Arabic-style semi-soft cheese with a delicate texture and a slightly tangy flavour. It is typically made in a small wicker basket, which gives it its shape and leaves a distinctive imprint on the cheese.
Basket cheese can be eaten by itself and is often served as a table cheese. When eaten on its own, it can be seasoned with a grind of pepper and a sprinkle of salt to taste. It can also be drizzled with honey, olive oil, or darkly toasted pine nuts. It is best enjoyed soon after it is made as it only keeps for a few days in the fridge.
The Sicilian Canestrato is a variety of basket cheese that is considered a delicacy and is traditionally produced by small farms that breed specific types of sheep and cows. This variety has a sweet and delicate flavour that tends towards slight tanginess when fresh.
Basket cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways when eaten by itself, such as with different seasonings or toppings.
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Pair with toast, olive oil, garlic salt and tomato
Basket cheese is a mild cheese that can be eaten by itself or enjoyed with other foods. One way to use basket cheese is to pair it with toast, olive oil, garlic salt, and tomato.
To make this combination, start by preparing the basket cheese using a recipe such as the one handed down by word of mouth to Rosanne Coreano of NY. This recipe involves heating milk to a lukewarm temperature (around 85-90°F), adding rennet, and allowing the mixture to set for about 40 minutes. After this, you can turn the heat back on low and heat the mixture for an additional 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to pull the curds to the side of the pot and keep moving them for about 10 minutes. Remove the curds from the pot and place them into a basket. Return the basket with the curds to the whey, covering the curds with the whey and pressing them into the basket. This process will help form the basket cheese.
Once you have prepared your basket cheese, you can pair it with toast. Simply toast some bread to your desired level of doneness. You can also fry the bread in olive oil for a different texture and flavor. Spread the basket cheese on the hot toast, allowing it to melt slightly and form a creamy base.
Drizzle olive oil over the cheese, adding a layer of richness and flavor. Sprinkle a pinch of garlic salt on top, bringing a savory and slightly spicy note to the dish. Finally, add a slice of ripe tomato, providing a fresh and juicy contrast to the melted cheese. You can also try sprinkling the tomato with salt before placing it on the toast, or using a combination of mayonnaise, cheddar, and salt, similar to a tomato cheddar toast recipe.
This combination of basket cheese, toast, olive oil, garlic salt, and tomato creates a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack. The mildness of the basket cheese pairs well with the other ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
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Crumble onto a salad
Easter basket cheese is a smooth, soft Italian cheese that is usually sold in the basket it's made in. It can be used as a cooking ingredient, similar to ricotta, or crumbled onto a salad.
If you're crumbling basket cheese onto a salad, you might want to consider a few different types of salad that would work well with this ingredient. A Caprese salad, for example, typically includes fresh mozzarella, but basket cheese could be used as a substitute. You could also make a simple tomato salad with basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and add some basket cheese for extra flavour.
Basket cheese can also be crumbled onto a heartier salad, such as one with grains like farro or quinoa, roasted vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette. Alternatively, you could make a fruit salad with ingredients like sliced apples, pears, and walnuts, and add some basket cheese for a savoury contrast.
When crumbling basket cheese onto any salad, it's important to consider the other ingredients and flavours you're working with, so that the cheese complements the dish. You might also want to experiment with different textures of the cheese, such as crumbling it finely or keeping the pieces larger and chunkier.
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Use as a cooking ingredient, like ricotta
Basket cheese is a fresh Italian cheese, similar to ricotta and mozzarella, that is typically made and sold in a small basket. It is usually made with cow's milk, but goat's milk can also be used. Basket cheese is a soft, mild, and smooth cheese with a low melting point. It is often used as a cooking ingredient, similar to ricotta, and can be used in a variety of dishes.
When using basket cheese as a cooking ingredient, there are several things to keep in mind. First, it is important to note that basket cheese has a low melting point and can melt into something dense when exposed to heat. Therefore, it may not be the best substitute for ricotta in dishes that require baking or cooking, such as lasagna or stuffed pasta. However, it can be used in dishes that require a melted cheese topping, such as a pizza or a grilled cheese sandwich.
Another way to use basket cheese as a cooking ingredient is to incorporate it into fillings or mixtures. For example, basket cheese can be used in place of ricotta in a traditional Italian Easter Pie, a meat-and-cheese pie that is a decadent and hearty meal. It can also be used in savoury dishes such as omelettes or quiches, adding a creamy texture and mild flavour. Additionally, basket cheese can be crumbled onto salads, adding a salty and creamy element.
When using basket cheese in cooking, it is important to consider the desired consistency and texture of the final dish. For example, if a creamy texture is desired, the cheese can be used as-is or with minimal processing. However, if a drier and firmer texture is needed, the basket cheese can be drained of excess whey using a cheesecloth or basket, similar to the process used for making ricotta cheese. The longer the cheese is allowed to drain, the firmer and drier it will become.
In conclusion, basket cheese can be used as a cooking ingredient in a variety of ways, similar to ricotta. It is important to consider the melting point and texture of the cheese when substituting it for ricotta, as well as the desired consistency and flavour of the final dish. With its mild flavour and soft texture, basket cheese can be a versatile and delicious addition to many recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
Basket cheese is a smooth, soft cheese that is usually sold in the basket it's made in. It is a mild cheese that can be eaten by itself, enjoyed on bruschetta or toast, or used as a cooking ingredient similar to ricotta.
To make basket cheese, you'll need to start by heating milk to around 85-90°F (32-33°C). Then, add rennet diluted in water and let it set for 40-45 minutes. Cut the curd into small pieces and gently stir. Scoop the curds into a basket and let drain for 30-45 minutes. At this point, you can sprinkle the cheese with salt or place the basket in a container of brine. Leave the cheese in the basket and store it in the refrigerator.
Homemade basket cheese will last for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Basket cheese is commonly used in the traditional Italian Easter Pie, a meat-and-cheese pie served by Italian Catholics to celebrate the end of Lent. It can also be used in recipes that call for ricotta, such as pizza rustica, or crumbled onto a salad.
