Frederic Melton
Basket cheese is a kind of cheese originating from Mediterranean regions. It is typically formed inside a basket, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface. Basket cheese is a common ingredient in Italian Easter pies, which are double-crusted pies made with eggs and meat. It is also eaten on its own, drizzled with olive oil, and served with crusty Italian bread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mediterranean regions, particularly Italy and Turkey |
| Texture | Soft and delicate, resembling tofu |
| Taste | Very mild, like a cross between ricotta and mozzarella |
| Salt content | Fresh basket cheese is not salted, dry basket cheese is mildly salty |
| Milk used | Traditionally goat's milk, but also sheep's and cow's milk |
| Common uses | Savory pies, crostini, salads, pizza, cannoli |
| Common pairings | Olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian bread |
| Melting point | Low |
| Nutritional values | Calories: 656kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 61g, Saturated Fat: 30g, Cholesterol: 204mg, Sodium: 1028mg, Potassium: 305mg, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1190IU, Vitamin C: 1.7mg, Calcium: 521mg, Iron: 2.6mg |
Explore related products
![Artisan Cheese Making at Home: Techniques & Recipes for Mastering World-Class Cheeses [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81eH1+cYeZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![QUESO!: Regional Recipes for the World's Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip [A Cookbook]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91YLsuAZ1xL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Basket cheese is a traditional Easter ingredient
Basket cheese is a key ingredient in several savoury Easter pies, including the Italian Easter Pie, which has 33 layers of crust (one for each year that Christ lived) and is filled with greens, ham, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. Another variation is the Torte Pasqualina, which includes pepperoni, double Abbruzese, sopressata, Genoa salami, mozzarella, eggs, Romano cheese, prosciutto, and of course, basket cheese.
Basket cheese is also delicious on its own, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. It can be served with crusty Italian bread or crostini and fresh herbs. Its simplicity and delicate flavour make it a beautiful addition to any Easter brunch table.
While fresh basket cheese is traditionally made with cow's milk and whey, it can also be made with goat or sheep milk. It gets its name from the basket in which it is formed, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface. This cheese is a hard-to-find Easter favourite, but substitutes such as ricotta can be used in its place.
Cheese Wraps: Ultimate Guide to Using Them
You may want to see also
It's a fresh, soft, mild cheese
Basket cheese is a fresh, soft, and mild cheese that is traditionally formed inside a basket, leaving a woven imprint on its surface. It is a type of cheese that originates from Mediterranean regions, particularly Italy, and is typically made around Easter time.
The cheese-making process involves placing the cheese in a basket while it is still warm, resulting in indentations that resemble an edible Easter basket. Basket cheese is made with fresh cow's milk and whey, giving it a smooth and delicate texture similar to tofu. It has a very faint curd flavour and is known for its versatility, as it can take on the flavours of the ingredients it is paired with.
As a soft and mild cheese, basket cheese is commonly used in Italian Easter pies, adding a creamy texture and subtle flavour to the filling. It is also enjoyed on its own, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper, or served on crusty Italian bread. The simplicity of this presentation highlights the magic of this cheese.
While fresh basket cheese has no salt taste, dry basket cheese can be mildly salty. In Italy, it is known as "Primo Sale," which translates to "first salt." Basket cheese is a challenging ingredient to find, but it is worth the search to enjoy its unique flavour and texture during the Easter season.
If you are unable to locate basket cheese for your Easter dishes, you can substitute it with any other mild, semi-soft cheese. However, it is important to note that basket cheese is not an ideal substitute for ricotta in recipes that require heat, as it has a low melting point and will not produce the same fluffy texture.
Havarti Cheese: Best Uses and Recipes
You may want to see also
It's made in a basket, which leaves a woven imprint
Basket cheese is a kind of cheese that originates from Mediterranean regions. It is traditionally formed inside a basket, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface. The basket in which the cheese is formed is typically made of reeds and is called a "gova". Commercial basket cheese is often shaped in plastic containers.
The cheese made in this way retains the indentations of the basket, which gives it a unique appearance. It is a soft and delicate cheese with a very mild flavour, resembling a cross between ricotta and mozzarella. It has a smooth texture similar to tofu and can be paired with various dishes or enjoyed on its own.
Basket cheese is particularly associated with Easter celebrations and is used in several savoury pies and dishes traditionally served during this holiday. It is often drizzled with olive oil and served with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, or on crusty Italian bread. It can also be used in recipes such as Italian Easter Pie, where it is combined with other cheeses, meats, and eggs to create a delicious and filling dish.
The process of making basket cheese involves placing the warm cheese into a basket, where it cools and takes on the shape and imprint of the basket's weave. This traditional method of cheese-making adds to the charm and appeal of this Mediterranean delicacy.
In Italy, basket cheese is known as "Primo Sale", which translates to "first salt". This name reflects the fact that it is a fresh cheese with a mild flavour, typically made without salt.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Mac and Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's typically Italian or Turkish
Basket cheese is a kind of cheese that originates from the Mediterranean region. It is typically Italian or Turkish. In Italy, it is known as "Primo Sale" or "first salt". It is a fresh cheese that is made and formed inside a basket, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface. Basket cheese is usually made from cow's milk and whey, but it can also be made from goat or sheep milk. It is smooth, soft, and delicate, with a very faint flavour of curds. It is often described as tasting like a cross between ricotta and mozzarella.
Basket cheese is commonly used in Italian savoury pies, such as the Italian Easter Pie, which has 33 layers of crust, one for each year that Christ lived. It is also used in other Italian dishes such as cannoli dip with chocolate chips and Italian basket cheese recipes.
In Turkey, basket cheese is known as "sepet peyniri" and originates from the Aegean Region. It is traditionally made in seaside towns using goat's milk, but sheep's milk is also used, particularly in towns like Karaburun, Çeşme, and Ayvalık, where it is known as "kelle" cheese.
Basket cheese is typically eaten fresh and has no salty taste, but dry basket cheese is mildly salty. It is often drizzled with olive oil and served with a grind of pepper and a sprinkle of salt, or on crusty Italian bread. It can also be served on crostini with fresh herbs.
It's used in both savoury and sweet dishes
Basket cheese is a kind of cheese that originates from the Mediterranean region. It is traditionally formed inside a basket, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface. It is typically made with cow's milk and whey, resulting in a smooth, soft, and delicate texture. The cheese has a very mild flavour, reminiscent of both ricotta and mozzarella.
Being a versatile cheese, basket cheese is used in both savoury and sweet dishes. In Italy, it is a key ingredient in several savoury pies traditionally served during Easter. These pies often include ingredients such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, eggs, and other cheeses. The cheese's mild flavour and soft texture make it an ideal filling for these savoury pies.
Basket cheese is also enjoyed on its own or as part of a simple appetiser. It can be drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and cracked black pepper. It pairs well with crusty Italian bread or crostini, providing a delightful contrast of textures and flavours.
For those with a sweet tooth, basket cheese can be used in desserts such as cannoli dip with chocolate chips. Its mild flavour serves as a neutral base for the sweeter ingredients, such as powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips. The cheese adds a creamy texture to the dip, making it a decadent treat.
While fresh basket cheese is traditionally associated with Easter, it can be enjoyed throughout the year in various dishes. Its versatility, subtle flavour, and delicate texture make it a unique ingredient that enhances both savoury and sweet culinary creations.
Frequently asked questions
Basket cheese is a kind of cheese originating from Mediterranean regions. It is traditionally formed inside a basket, which leaves a woven imprint on its surface.
Fresh basket cheese has no salt taste, while dry basket cheese is mildly salty. Basket cheese is said to taste like a cross between ricotta and mozzarella.
Basket cheese is commonly used in Italian Easter pies. It is also served on its own, drizzled with olive oil, and with a grind of pepper and a sprinkle of salt, or with crusty Italian bread.
Basket cheese can be found at local Italian grocers or in the cheese section of large supermarkets.
