Bushra Griffith
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands. It is named after the town of Edam in North Holland, and has been a staple there since the 15th century. Edam is a versatile cheese, suitable for both snacking and cooking. It pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, as well as savoury items like cured meats and olives. It is commonly used in sandwiches and burgers, and is often grated or sliced as a topping for salads, pasta dishes, and pizzas. In Indonesia, Edam cheese is used for cooking kaasstengels, a snack served during Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. In the Philippines, it is popular during Christmas, served with jamón and pandesal during the traditional Noche Buena feast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Texture | Semi-hard |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, creamy, salty |
| Colour | Pale yellow interior, red paraffin wax coating |
| Age | Young Edam has a milder flavour than aged variants |
| Uses | Snacking, cooking, melting, salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, toppings |
| Pairings | Fruits like apples and pears, cured meats, olives |
| Common in | Indonesia, Spain, Mexico, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Philippines, Sweden, Norway |
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What You'll Learn
Edam cheese as a snack
Edam cheese is a versatile semi-hard cheese that can be used in a variety of ways as a snack. Its mild, nutty flavour and smooth, supple texture when young make it a great option for snacking on its own. As the cheese ages, its flavour intensifies and it becomes firmer, making it a good option for grating or slicing as a topping. Here are some specific ideas for using Edam cheese as a snack:
- With fruit: Edam pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, apricots, peaches, and cherries. For a snack, try slicing the cheese and fruit and enjoying them together, or spreading them out on a charcuterie board.
- With savoury items: The cheese also goes well with savoury items like cured meats and olives. Create a savoury snack by pairing Edam with these items, or making a charcuterie board with a variety of meats, cheeses, and olives.
- In sandwiches and burgers: Melting Edam cheese adds a rich and creamy element to sandwiches and burgers. Its smooth texture and slightly nutty taste make it a popular choice for melting.
- As a topping: Grated or sliced Edam can be used as a topping for salads, pasta dishes, and even pizzas. Its mild profile enhances the overall taste of the dish without overpowering other ingredients.
- Fried cheese: In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Edam is often used as the base for smažený sýr ("fried cheese"), a popular snack that may be served with a slice of ham and tartar sauce or mayonnaise.
- Kaasstengels: In Indonesia, Edam cheese is used for cooking kaasstengels, a snack served during Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.
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Using Edam in sandwiches and burgers
Edam cheese is a versatile semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands. It has a mild, nutty flavour and a smooth texture, making it a popular choice for sandwiches and burgers.
When used in sandwiches, Edam can be sliced or grated, adding a rich and indulgent touch to the dish. Its mild profile pairs well with both sweet and savoury ingredients, so you can experiment with different combinations. For example, you can try making a sandwich with sliced Edam and cooked ham, and your choice of bread. The cheese will melt and create a delicious, gooey texture.
Edam is also an excellent choice for melting on burgers. Its smooth, slightly nutty taste will add a rich flavour to your burger without overpowering the other ingredients. The cheese's reliability makes it a great option for creating a cheesy crust or topping for your burger. Simply place a slice of Edam on your cooked patty and let it melt, or grate the cheese over the burger for an even coating.
In addition to sandwiches and burgers, Edam can be enjoyed in various other dishes. It is often used as a topping for salads, pasta, and pizzas, or as part of a cheeseboard. The cheese is also commonly incorporated into baked dishes, such as casseroles, gratins, and baked pasta. Its melting properties make it ideal for adding a cheesy touch to dishes like macaroni and cheese or au gratin potatoes.
With its versatility and mild flavour, Edam cheese is a great option for enhancing your sandwiches, burgers, and other culinary creations. Its smooth texture and nutty taste will surely elevate your dining experience.
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Melting Edam cheese
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the Netherlands. It is traditionally sold in flat-ended spheres with a pale yellow interior and a coat, or rind, of red paraffin wax. Young Edam cheese has a very mild flavour, slightly salty or nutty, and almost no smell when compared to other cheeses. As the cheese ages, its flavour sharpens, and it becomes firmer.
Edam cheese is a good melting cheese, and it can be used in a variety of dishes that require melted cheese. For example, in Indonesia, Edam cheese is used for cooking kaasstengels, a snack served during Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. Other Indonesian dishes such as roti bakar, kue cubit, and pannenkoek can be served with Edam cheese as a topping. In the Philippines, Edam cheese is popular during Christmas, when it is served with jamón and pandesal during the traditional feast of Noche Buena.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Edam cheese is often used as the base of the snack smažený sýr ("fried cheese"). This dish is typically served with a slice of ham and tartar sauce or mayonnaise. Edam cheese is also used in the Mexican state of Yucatán, where it is prepared as queso relleno ("stuffed cheese"). A ball of cheese is cut in half and carved out, then stuffed with a mixture of seasoned ground meat, raisins, capers, and olives. The stuffed cheese is then braised in chicken stock and served sliced with the thickened chicken stock and a spiced tomato sauce.
In addition to these specific dishes, Edam cheese's melting properties make it suitable for use in sauces, soups, and casseroles. It can also be used as a topping for dishes such as pizza, similar to how Gouda cheese is used.
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Edam as a salad, pasta, or pizza topping
Edam cheese is a versatile topping that can add flavour and texture to salads, pasta, and pizzas.
When used as a salad topping, Edam can be cubed or shredded and sprinkled over a variety of ingredients. Its mild flavour pairs well with fruits such as apples, pears, and berries, as well as nuts and seeds. For a heartier salad, combine Edam with proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp, and add a tangy dressing such as balsamic vinaigrette or a honey-mustard blend.
In pasta dishes, shredded or cubed Edam can be mixed into the sauce or sprinkled on top of the finished dish. It melts beautifully, making it ideal for baked pasta casseroles. For a simple weeknight dinner, try a meatball and Edam pasta bake. Start by sweating onions and garlic, then add minced beef, oregano, egg, and shredded Edam to form meatballs. After browning the meatballs, add them to a tomato-based sauce and simmer before baking in the oven with a generous topping of Edam.
Edam is also a popular choice for pizza toppings, where it can be shredded or sliced and added to a variety of other ingredients. Its mild flavour complements meats such as salami or pepperoni, as well as vegetables like peppers and onions. For a classic combination, pair Edam with mozzarella and tomato sauce on a thin-crust pizza base.
With its versatility and mild flavour, Edam is a great option for adding a creamy, cheesy touch to salads, pasta, and pizzas.
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Indonesian dishes with Edam
Edam cheese is quite popular in Indonesia due to its historical ties with the Netherlands. In Indonesia, Edam cheese is known as "keju edam". It is generally used for cooking "kaasstengels", a snack served during Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. Other Indonesian dishes such as roti bakar, kue cubit, and pannenkoek can be served with Edam cheese as a topping.
- Kaasstengels: Kaasstengels are traditional Indonesian cheese cookies or biscuits that are made with Edam cheese. The cookies are shaped into small logs or sticks and are often served during special occasions and festivals such as Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. The cheese is grated and mixed into the dough, giving the cookies a savoury flavour.
- Roti Bakar: Roti bakar is Indonesian for "toast". It is a popular breakfast dish and can be served with various toppings, including Edam cheese. The toast is typically thick-cut and lightly grilled, creating a crispy exterior and a soft interior. The cheese is melted on top of the warm toast, often paired with other toppings such as sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, or a spread of butter.
- Kue Cubit and Pannenkoek: Kue cubit and pannenkoek are types of Indonesian pancakes that can be served with Edam cheese as a topping. Kue cubit, also known as "pinch cakes", are small, fluffy pancakes that are commonly sold as street food. Pannenkoek is the Indonesian version of pancakes, similar to the Dutch pannenkoeken. These pancakes are thin and large in diameter, providing a perfect base for toppings such as grated or sliced Edam cheese.
In addition to these dishes, Edam cheese can also be enjoyed as a snack or appetiser in Indonesia. The cheese is often served alongside fresh or dried fruits, such as apricots, peaches, and cherries, providing a delightful contrast of flavours and textures.
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Frequently asked questions
Edam cheese is a versatile semi-hard cheese used for both snacking and cooking. It can be sliced or grated and used as a topping for pizzas, pasta, and salads. It is also popularly melted and added to dishes such as grilled cheese sandwiches and casseroles.
Edam cheese has a mild, nutty flavour with a creamy texture. As the cheese ages, its flavour intensifies and it develops a sharper, more complex profile with hints of sweetness and a salty finish.
Edam cheese pairs well with both sweet and savoury foods. Some common pairings include fruits like apples and pears, as well as cured meats and olives. In Indonesia, Edam cheese is used in various dishes such as roti bakar, kue cubit, and pannenkoek. It is also a popular topping for kaasstengels, a snack served during Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.
