Patrick Oconnell
There are many types of cheese that can be baked in the oven, including Camembert, blue cheese, Gruyère, and Brie. Baking cheese is a great way to add sophistication to a menu, and it can be served as an appetiser or a main course. Some cheeses that can be baked include goat cheese, which softens but does not melt, and mozzarella, which can be added to a burger or used in a basic cheese sauce. Other cheeses that melt well include provolone, fontina, and mascarpone. Baked cheese can be served in many ways, such as with cured meats, honey, nuts, or fruit preserves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cheeses | 6 |
| Cheese Types | Feta, Raclette, Camembert, Tunworth, Blue Cheese, Goat Cheese |
| Season | Winter |
| Temperature | 400°F |
| Time | 5-20 minutes |
| Accompaniments | Bread, Salad, Baguettes, Crudites, Potatoes, Meat, Roasted Vegetables, Wine |
| Recipe Ideas | Drizzled with Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Garlic, Oregano, Black Pepper, Cranberries, Rosemary |
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What You'll Learn
Baked feta with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and black pepper
Ingredients:
- Feta cheese (a block or a few chunks)
- Olive oil (extra virgin or good quality)
- Lemon (juice and peel)
- Garlic (sliced or crushed)
- Oregano (dried or fresh)
- Black pepper (or red pepper flakes)
- Optional: Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or parsley)
Method:
Preheat your oven to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, prepare your ingredients. Place the feta in a baking dish, adding some space around it if you plan to include other ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together your olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and black pepper. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients to your taste preferences. Pour this mixture over the feta, ensuring it is well-coated.
At this point, you can add other ingredients to the dish if desired. Cherry tomatoes, olives, and bell peppers are popular additions, providing a burst of color and flavor. You can also add sliced lemon and extra herbs on top. Once you are happy with your creation, place the baking dish in the oven. Bake for 15-30 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. You want the feta to be softened and starting to brown at the edges.
Serving Suggestions:
This baked feta dish is now ready to serve! It is delicious on its own or with some crusty bread, pita chips, or crackers to dip into the warm, creamy cheese. You can also drizzle the flavored olive oil over some pasta or vegetables. Enjoy the rich, tangy flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired treat!
Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices, and don't be afraid to get creative with your ingredient combinations. This baked feta recipe is a versatile and satisfying dish that is sure to impress.
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Baked camembert with garlic and rosemary
Firstly, preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4/gas mark 6. Take a 250g Camembert and remove the plastic wrap. Place the cheese back into its wooden box and put it on a baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the cheese in a crosshatch pattern or cut off the top layer of skin. You can also simply stab the top of the Camembert to make several slits. Peel and thinly slice a garlic clove, then slot the slices into the slits or the crosshatch pattern. Break rosemary springs into little tufts and place them into the cheese next to the garlic. Drizzle the Camembert with a little olive oil.
Now, bake the cheese in the hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the centre is melted, gooey, and runny. You can check this by unwrapping the cheese and gently inserting a knife into it. When baked, unwrap the top of the Camembert and serve with sliced toasted ciabatta, crostini, or a fresh and warm baguette to scoop out and dip into the cheese. You can also use stale bread, which you can thread onto stripped woody rosemary sprigs, drizzle with olive oil and a tiny pinch of sea salt, and then lay them on a tray to cook with the Camembert.
This dish pairs greatly with a glass of bubbly or any wine – red, white, or rosé. If you want to make a sweet version, you could add some honey or maple syrup and sprinkle some nuts on top.
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Baked goat's cheese with a rind, served with a salad of bitter leaves, tomatoes, and olives
Goat's cheese with a rind bakes well as it melts slightly while retaining its creamy texture. The cheese can be baked in an oven at 400°F for about 5-10 minutes. It can be served with a salad of bitter leaves, such as lettuce or other mixed greens, along with tomatoes and olives. A light white wine, such as Pinot Grigio, would pair well with this dish.
To elevate this dish, the goat's cheese can be coated with a breadcrumb and dried thyme mixture before baking. The cheese rounds are then baked until golden brown and bubbly, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. This variation is inspired by Alice Waters, an icon of California cuisine known for her farm-to-table cooking philosophy.
Additionally, the goat's cheese can be cut into discs or balls and coated with a mixture of herbs, egg, and breadcrumbs before baking. This adds a crispy texture to the creamy cheese. The baked cheese is then served on a bed of mixed salad greens, creating a warm goat cheese salad that can be served as a side, light lunch, or appetizer.
For a French twist, the goat's cheese can be pan-fried or grilled briefly. French goat's cheeses such as Picandou, Pico Affine, Chabichou du Poitou, or Crottin de Chavignol can be used. These cheeses have a rind and a creamy centre that melts when heated, making them ideal for this dish. The warm goat's cheese can be served on bread or with a salad, creating a delicious and elegant dish.
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Baked blue cheese dip
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in salads, pasta, or even baked as a dip. A baked blue cheese dip is a simple, six-ingredient dip that is rich, creamy, tangy, salty, and savoury. Here is a recipe for a baked blue cheese dip:
Ingredients:
- Blue cheese
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Bacon
- Garlic powder
- Green onions or chives
Steps:
- Mash the blue cheese with cream cheese and mayonnaise to get a softer consistency.
- Add in the bacon. A lot of crispy bacon.
- Mix in garlic powder and green onions or chives for extra flavour.
- Transfer the dip to a baking dish and bake until golden brown on top, about 15-18 minutes.
- Top with additional green onions or chives and serve warm with bread, crackers, chips, and/or vegetables for dipping.
You can also add in some large crumbles of blue cheese after making the base for texture. This dip is perfect for game day, and you can even dip chicken wings in it!
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Baked raclette with potatoes, bread, meat, and roasted vegetables
Ingredients
- Raclette cheese
- Red potatoes
- Carrots
- Apple
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Shallots
- Bread
- Meat (such as La viande séchée du Valais/Bündnerfleisch, lean beef cured with salt, alpine herbs, and mixed spices, or your choice of dried meats or salami)
- Gherkins
- Pickled onions
- Tomatoes
Method
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes on each side. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, rub them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Put the potatoes in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until soft.
While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Slice the apple, tomatoes, and shallots. Roll or slice the meat. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add the shallots, cooking until browned and softened. Dress the carrots and apple with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in the oven for 20 minutes.
When the potatoes are almost ready, lightly oil some kitchen foil and place it on a baking tray. Put a square of raclette cheese in the center of each foil square and put it in the oven for about 3 minutes, or until melted.
Serving
Carefully place the hot potatoes on a serving dish and scrape the melted cheese on top. Sprinkle with black pepper and serve with the roasted vegetables, bread, meat, gherkins, pickled onions, and tomatoes. Enjoy!
Variations
You can also try baking the raclette cheese in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and any desired flavorings, such as herbs, garlic, or spices. Alternatively, boil the potatoes instead of baking them, or serve the raclette with other sides such as boiled eggs or fresh bread.
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Frequently asked questions
Some cheeses that can be baked in the oven include Camembert, blue cheese, ricotta, Gruyère, Brie, and Fontina.
Some dishes that include baked cheese are mac and cheese, lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, French onion soup, and pizza.
Some tips for baking cheese in the oven are to not put the cheese directly on the oven rack, to score the cheese with a knife to let air escape, and to not bake it for too long or it will harden.
Some good pairings with baked cheese are honey, nuts, fruit, cured meats, crackers, and bread.
