Kamil Perry
Baked cheese is a great way to add some sophistication to your dinner party, and with some of the most popular cheese types able to be baked, you can make sure your guests still get their fix of their favourite dairy food. There are a variety of cheeses that can be baked, from soft and creamy Camembert to tangy blue cheese, mild and earthy goat's cheese, and the versatile, mild-flavoured Brie. For those who want to experiment with new flavours, Parmigiano Reggiano, the king of Italian cheeses, is a popular choice with its nutty, fruity flavour. For baking into bread, young, fresh Gruyere is a good option, as it has a salty and sweet taste profile. Mozzarella can also be used in baked bread, but it creates pockets of stringy cheese rather than blending smoothly. Cheddar is another great option for baked dishes, with its strong flavour and smooth, creamy texture.
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What You'll Learn
Baked Camembert with honey or chilli oil
To prepare the Camembert for baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and remove the cheese from its paper wrapping. Using a sharp knife, create a 1/4-inch crosshatch pattern on the top of the rind by scoring it. Alternatively, you can remove the top rind altogether if you prefer a smoother texture.
You can choose to keep the cheese in its wooden box or transfer it to a small baking dish. It is recommended to place the box or dish on a baking tray lined with parchment paper to catch any potential overflow. Now comes the fun part: seasoning! Drizzle olive oil, honey, and sprinkle chilli flakes, salt, and pepper on top of the cheese. You can also add rosemary and thyme sprigs into the crevices of the cuts for an extra burst of flavour.
Bake the Camembert for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the time, as overbaking will cause the cheese to harden. The perfect bake is achieved when the cheese is soft, oozy, and runny. Serve immediately with toasted bread and grapes for a delightful treat.
If you want to spice things up, try making chilli honey by toasting chillies in a hot dry pan and then infusing them in honey. Drizzle this fiery chilli honey over the baked Camembert for an extra kick. You can also make homemade breadsticks to dip into the cheesy goodness.
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Goat's cheese with tomato sauce
Goat's cheese is a versatile cheese with a distinctive, earthy flavour and a range of textures, from creamy to crumbly. It is a popular choice for baking, especially when paired with a tomato-based sauce.
Baked Goat's Cheese with Tomato Sauce
This recipe is an excellent choice for an appetizer or a light meal. It is creamy, saucy, and easy to make.
Ingredients:
- Goat's cheese
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil or dried basil
- Oregano
- White wine vinegar
- Tomatoes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Crusty bread or crackers
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Warm olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano, and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in the white wine vinegar and sauté for another minute.
- Add the tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Spoon the tomato sauce into shallow baking dishes or ramekins.
- Add dollops of goat's cheese on top.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is warmed through.
- Broil for a minute or two to brown the cheese, if desired.
- Let the dish cool for a few minutes, then top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve warm with crusty bread or crackers on the side.
Variations:
You can also create a burst cherry tomato and goat cheese skillet by adding cherry tomatoes, garlic, thyme, and olive oil to an oven-safe skillet. Bake until the tomatoes burst and the goat cheese softens, then serve with a baguette or crackers, or add cooked pasta directly to the skillet.
For a heartier meal, try a Tomato Goat Cheese Bake with farro, spinach, and additional vegetables. This recipe calls for roasting tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices with olive oil, then adding a log of goat cheese and Italian seasoning and roasting for 40 minutes. Finally, stir in cooked farro and garnish with grated parmesan or fresh basil.
Other Baking Cheeses:
While goat's cheese is an excellent choice for baking, there are several other cheeses that are popular for this purpose, including:
- Camembert: Soft and creamy, with a higher-melting rind, perfect for dipping.
- Blue Cheese: Tangy and strong-flavoured, ideal for baked dips.
- Gruyere: Salty-sweet, becoming more complex with age, ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Cheddar: A classic, sharp cheese that is user-friendly for baking.
- Mozzarella: Creates pockets of stringy-cheesy goodness in baked bread.
Grilled cheese sandwiches, baked cheese dips, and sophisticated dinner party dishes are all excellent ways to enjoy the art of baking cheese.
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Gruyere for salty and sweet baked goods
Gruyere is a salty and sweet cheese that is perfect for baked goods. Originating in Switzerland, it is a great option for those who like to add a layer of salty butter to their bread or enjoy a sweet marmalade. The cheese is ageable, like wine, and develops a more robust and deeper flavour as it matures. Young, fresh Gruyere is softer and ideal for baking.
Gruyere can be used in both sweet and savoury baked goods. For a savoury option, it can be baked into pastry with rosemary and garlic and served warm with honey, black pepper, and crackers. For a sweet treat, it can be baked into an apple pie, providing a delicious twist on a classic. The sweet, nutty, and salty Gruyere pairs perfectly with the lightly spiced apples in the pie.
Gruyere can also be used in baked bread. However, it is recommended to use younger cheese for this purpose as it is softer and easier to handle. Baked bread with Gruyere is best served grilled with salty butter or sweet marmalade to complement the cheese's flavour profile.
Other popular cheeses for baking include Camembert, goat's cheese, blue cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, and Brie. These cheeses can be baked and served with various sides, such as bread, crudités, honey, chilli oil, sun-dried tomatoes, cured meats, and salads.
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Cheddar for casseroles and gratins
Cheddar cheese, originating from the village of Cheddar in England, is a popular choice for baking. Its relatively youthful age compared to other cheeses does not hinder its popularity. When baking, it is recommended to use a brick of sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese, as the latter often contains additional chemicals.
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in casseroles and gratins. For a chicken, broccoli, and cheddar casserole, combine chicken, broccoli, condensed soup, sour cream, pepper, and cheddar cheese in a bowl. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
For a beef and cheddar casserole, layer cooked noodles in a baking dish and pour a beef mixture on top. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the beef mixture and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 15 to 20 minutes.
For a potato au gratin, layer potatoes and onion slices in a baking dish and cover them with a cheddar cheese sauce. The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, gradually whisking in milk, and then stirring in shredded cheddar cheese. Bake the potato au gratin until the potatoes are tender and the sauce is bubbling.
Cheddar cheese is a versatile and popular option for casseroles and gratins, providing a creamy texture and a sharp flavour that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
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Mozzarella sparingly for pizza and lasagna
Mozzarella is a mouth-watering addition to pizza and lasagna, but it should be used sparingly. While it is tempting to pile on the cheese, it is important to consider the type of mozzarella used and the other ingredients. Fresh mozzarella is stored in a saline liquid or whey and has a higher water content, which can make pizza and lasagna watery.
When making pizza or lasagna, it is best to use low-moisture mozzarella, which is much better for baking. This type of mozzarella is packed in tight plastic and has less water content, so it won't make your pizza or lasagna soggy. If you want to use fresh mozzarella, it is best to add it sparingly on top of the lasagna during the last 10 minutes of baking. This way, the direct heat of the oven will cook off the moisture, giving you a nice mixture of mozzarella textures without making the dish watery.
Mozzarella is not the only cheese that can be used for pizza and lasagna. For a unique twist, you can use young, fresh gruyere cheese, which brings a salty and sweet taste profile to your dish. Another option is to use sharp cheddar cheese, which has a strong flavour that will stand out in your pizza or lasagna. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try baking with blue cheese, which has an unmistakably tangy flavour that will impress your guests.
When it comes to pizza and lasagna, it's important to consider the other ingredients besides cheese. For lasagna, you can use vegetables like spinach, which adds a pop of colour and fresh flavour without making the dish soggy. For pizza, you can add various toppings, such as sausage or vegetables, to complement the mozzarella. Remember, when using mozzarella, less is more, and you can always add other cheeses and ingredients to create a flavourful and textured dish.
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Frequently asked questions
Gruyere is a popular choice for baking into bread as it has a salty and sweet taste profile. Young, fresh gruyere is softer and easier to handle, making it ideal for baking. Mozzarella can also be used, but it will result in pockets of string-cheesy goodness rather than a beautifully blended cheese bread.
Brie is often considered the best cheese for baking on its own due to its mild flavour, smooth and creamy texture, and excellent melting capabilities. Other popular options include Camembert, goat's cheese, blue cheese, and cheddar.
Baked Camembert is a great choice for a dinner party as it is simple to prepare and can be served with bread for dipping. To make it even more special, you can mix in honey or chilli oil/sauce. Baked blue cheese is another option that is sure to get the conversation flowing.
For a sweeter variation, try baking d'Affinois, which is a double cream cheese. Its creaminess is cut beautifully by some raspberry preserves, and it pairs well with a cheerful sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava.
