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Friday, April 8, 2011

How To Buy A Fine Swiss Cheese

If you want to get the best swiss cheese available, “fine” is the type you should be looking for. A fine swiss cheese will be more expensive, but the quality of the cheese will truly be worth the cost.

Basics Of Swiss Cheese

Here in the United States, we call any cheese with holes in it “swiss cheese”. In fact, the term “swiss cheese” has become a descriptive work of its own, meaning something where there are holes in it – like a “memory like swiss cheese.” Actually, swiss cheese is just a generic name for any type of holed cheese, It can be made in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or the United States...in fact, at this time, the largest swiss cheese factory in the world is in Ohio. All cheeses with holes are trying to simulate the cheese made in Switzerland, known as Emmetal.

There are other types of holed cheese in Switzerland, such as Gruyére, but Emmetal is the most fine type of swiss cheese there is. Guyére is imitated a lot. The holes are much smaller, and much more evenly spaced in the cheese. It is also aged longer, often 10-12 months. It is made from a cow's milk with a greater amount of fat, so it is a sweeter cheese. As a swiss cheese, it melts easily and can be used with almost any part of the menu – appetizer, entree, or dessert.

Baby swiss cheese can be fine, but as it is made in ways to comply with government regulations (regarding aging time and whether milk is pasteurized prior to making into cheese) this is difficult to assertain. The holes are much smaller due to the shorter aging time. Also, the flavor is sweeter and milder.

The holes are made by the bacteria involved in making the cheese. One of the bacteria consumes one of the other bacteria's byproduct, lactic acid, and then excretes carbon dioxide gas. The gas develops into bubbles, which turn into holes as the cheese solidifies.

How This Helps You Choose A Fine Swiss Cheese

A fine swiss cheese will have larger “eyes,” and a greater flavor. The stronger flavor is caused by the longer aging time and the higher temperature, and these also lead to larger holes in the swiss cheese.

In the United States, it can be hard to find a fine swiss cheese that is pre-sliced (our favorite way to buy cheese) because the cheese with the holes can catch in the slicing machinery and cost them time and money. Consequently, in the United States, the swiss cheese manufacturers usually make a swiss cheese – fine might even be on its label – that is less aged and has less flavor than an imported cheese.

Types Of Swiss Cheese – A Guide

Did you know the kind of cheese we find at our grocery stores sliced up and labeled as “swiss cheese” is not always what the cheese experts would consider swiss, even though it has holes? Here, anything with holes can be considered “swiss”, especially if it is pre-sliced! That's not the definition in other places!

So what is swiss cheese? It is a pale yellow with holes that are large and scattered throughout the cheese. The flavor is slightly nutty, and the intensity of the flavor is determined by how aged the cheese is. The holes are caused by the fermentation of the bacteria in the cheese, as the bacteria release carbon dioxide and bubbles are created. As the swiss cheese solidifies, the bubbles become holes.

There's More Than One Kind

The original Swiss cheeses that are most famous are Gruyére and Emmental. Both of these melt well and are commonly used in fondues. The American cheesemakers do a decent job of replicating these famous cheeses, and have developed the following:

American Swiss Cheese: This is made from pasteurized cow's milk. It comes sliced and shredded, in both regular and reduced-fat styles. It melts easily, and is commonly used in sandwiches. Because it is mass produced quickly, it is only aged a very short time – four months. Consequently, this cheese has a much milder flavor, as it takes a longer aging time to give the intense flavors swiss cheese is prized for.

The classic “Swiss cheese” is the fine kind known as Emmentaler, named after the Emmental Valley where it began about 1293. It is the Swiss’ oldest cheese. Pale yellow, it is made from part-skim cow’s milk. This cow’s milk is unpasteurized. The flavor is described as mild, buttery, slightly nutty, and almost fruity. There are holes, of course, and they range from quite small to about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. (In the US, in order to follow government regulations they made a version using pasteurized milk. Alternately, they use unpasteurized milk and then process it for a month and a half at minimum.) This cheese, Emmental, is made in huge wheels that can weigh up to 220 pounds. They stamp the hometown on the rind, making it easily identifiable among other cheeses. Emmentaler cheese goes very well with both fruits and nuts, and as it melts easily, it is often the choice for sauces.

The other very popular swiss cheese is the kind that originated in Fribourg, Switzerland, in a valley called Gruyére. This swiss cheese is made from a cow’s milk with more fat, so the nutty, buttery flavor is naturally sweetened. It is aged longer, generally from 10-12 months. It has a brownish-gold rind. The cheese is still pale yellow, but the holes are much smaller and very evenly spaced (compared to Emmental). During the aging process, the holes can become also indistinguishable, as they become so small. Gruyére swiss cheese is sold by the wedge, and it is made in wheels weighing 100 pounds. There are many imitation cheeses sold under this name. If you want true Gruyére, you will need to check the label carefully. This cheese goes well with meats and vegetables, and it melts well. It can go with an entrée, dessert, or appetizer, making it a very well-rounded cheese.

Incorporating Baked Goat Cheese into Your Meals

There are many types of cheese out there, like swiss cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella, to name a few. However, there are few cheeses that are at the same time flavorful, nutritious, and unique. Goat cheese is becoming increasingly popular because it is low in fat and cholesterol but doesn’t lack flavor in spite of that. Many people enjoy goat cheese baked because it is healthy, tasty, and rich.
Baked Goat Cheese in Salad
If you want to add an interesting twist to traditional salads, try using baked goat cheese as a topping. Some unique salad combinations that go very well with goat cheese fresh out of the oven include arugula, spinach, walnuts, and balsamic vinegar, as well as roasted beets, spinach, and endives.
You can also make sweet and salty salads using baked goat cheese. Try making a salad with chopped walnuts, strawberries, goat cheese, and vinaigrette. Warm apple and pear are also good ingredients to combine with baked goat cheese as a topping for salad greens.
Baked Goat Cheese Appetizers
Want to impress dinner guests or significant other with a new and unique appetizer? Try experimenting with recipes for goat cheese appetizers. You can mix baked goat cheese with chopped olives, tomatoes, thyme, and olive oil as a delicious topping for baguette. You can also serve baked goat cheese with roasted garlic and crusty bread as a delicious appetizer. Get creative and try serving goat cheese fresh out of the oven along with roasted red peppers, chopped almonds, and cherry tomatoes drizzled with vinaigrette.
Baked goat cheese drizzled with olive oil can even stand alone as a delicious appetizer. You can serve it alongside some crackers or warm bread. To change the flavor a bit, you can roll a log of goat cheese in freshly chopped herbs like parsley, basil, and chives prior to baking. You can also sprinkle freshly ground peppercorns on top of baked goat cheese to add some spice to its tangy flavor. Goat cheese also goes very well with wine. Try a white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Now that you are armed with information, don’t bore your friends, family, or dinner guests with the typical appetizers and salads. Why not try incorporating baked goat cheese into your meals? It is easy to prepare as well as nutritious and delicious so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try it the next time you have to cook. Goat cheese is flexible ingredient that can be served up a variety of ways but it is also a strong enough dish that it can stand alone. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start looking for recipes so you can make baked goat cheese a part of your next dinner menu.

Goat Cheese Appetizers: A Delicious and Healthy Way to Start a Meal

Ever wondered how to prepare easy and simple appetizers that are at the same time exotic and delicious? Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make all sorts of appetizers. You can serve it on its own with crackers or along with other cheeses to go along with wine or champagne. You can also make baked goat cheese or use it as a topping on pita pizza. There are many ways you can prepare delicious goat cheese appetizers that will wow your friends, family, and dinner party guests.
Goat Cheese on Its Own
Goat cheese makes a great appetizer because of its simplicity. You can roll it in freshly chopped herbs like basil, chives, or parsley. You can also top it with freshly ground peppercorns to accent its tangy flavor. Goat cheese appetizers with roasted garlic are also excellent. Serve them along with some wine and crackers and you are good to go!
Goat Cheese Salads
Goat cheese is also great in salads. You can mix goat cheese with chopped walnuts and strawberries and drizzle it with pomegranate vinaigrette for a unique salad that is sweet and salty. You can also make baked goat cheese and mix it with roasted beets and salad greens to make a delicious and nutritious salad.
Goat Cheese Pizzas
Another excellent goat cheese appetizer that will surely be a favorite among your dinner guests is goat cheese pizza. You can make a traditional pizza with just tomatoes, basil, and goat cheese as a low-fat substitute for mozzarella or you can get creative and combine goat cheese with chopped figs, artichokes, and olives as a topping for pizza.
Goat cheese appetizers are not just elegant… they are also very healthy. Goat cheese, unlike many other cheeses out there, is low in fat and cholesterol. As an added benefit, goat cheese is rich in vitamins and nutrients like niacin, thiamin, vitamin A, and protein. Thus goat cheese appetizers make a healthy, aesthetically appealing, and exotic addition to any meal you serve.
In conclusion, if you want to impress dinner guests or simply do something different in the kitchen, why not try making goat cheese appetizers? Goat cheese is nutritious, delicious, and versatile. There’s really nothing more you could want out of an ingredient. Goat cheese is no longer an ingredient reserved for the social elite. Goat cheese appetizers are becoming increasingly popular because more people are recognizing their unique taste and appeal.

Goat Cheese Pizza: A New Pizza Experience

Tired of the same old mozzarella on your pizza? Try using goat cheese instead of mozzarella to make a great tasting, unique pizza. Goat cheese is not only delicious; it is also very healthy. It has a much lower fat and cholesterol content than mozzarella cheese and as an added benefit it is rich in vitamins and minerals. So not only is goat cheese pizza unique, it is also very nutritious. Here are some ways you can enjoy interesting varieties of goat cheese pizza.
Goat Cheese as a Mozzarella Substitute
If you are just looking for a mozzarella substitute that is healthier and lower in fat, you can use goat cheese. You can make pizza with goat cheese, tomato sauce, garlic salt, and Italian herbs to have a traditional pizza with a new twist. Goat cheese pizza doesn’t have to be overly exotic if you don’t want it to be. People who are into more traditional tasting foods may be put off by the sound of recipes that use goat cheese since they sound so wacky and exotic. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to use any unusual ingredients and instead just use goat cheese as a substitute on your pizza. Goat cheese has a tangy flavor but it is also creamy and most people don’t have an aversion to it.
Exotic Goat Cheese Pizzas
If you have an adventurous palate and would like to try goat cheese pizza recipes that are unique and exotic, look no further. Whether you want a goat cheese appetizer or entrée, there are many different kinds of goat cheese pizza recipes that you can try. Goat cheese pizza with sweet onion, fresh fig, olive oil, and rosemary is delicious and unique.
Goat cheese pizza with red peppers and portabella mushrooms drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil has a very classic but unique taste. Another classic yet interesting goat cheese pizza is one topped with olives and artichoke hearts. If you are a meat lover, try making goat cheese pizza with prosciutto and figs. Sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and caramelized onions are also a great combination for pizza.
You may be surprised to find out that goat cheese can also be used to make dessert pizzas. Figs and goat cheese as you may have figured out are a good combination. If you want to use them to make a dessert pizza, all you have to do is spread marmalade on the dough after baking it and heat port wine until it has a syrupy consistency and drizzle that on top of the pizza once it is finished. Another interesting dessert goat cheese pizza can be made by using grilled strawberries.
So there you have it. Goat cheese pizza is a new and interesting way to enjoy the classic dish, pizza. Whether your goal is to have pizza that is lower in fat or to try something different for a change, goat cheese makes an excellent topping on any pizza.

How to Make a Delicious Goat Cheese Salad

Goat cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to other types of cheese. It is low in fat and cholesterol but packed with nutrients like vitamin A, niacin, thiamin, and protein. There are many ways you can enjoy goat cheese in any meal but one of the best ways is in a salad. There are many different recipes for goat cheese salad and all of them are very simple and straight forward. Why not try making a goat cheese salad the next time you cook for your friends or family? Not only is goat cheese healthier than other types of cheese, it is also very delicious.
Goat Cheese Salads with Fruit
Goat cheese goes surprisingly well with fruit. For example you can make a simple and delicious goat cheese salad by combining it with chopped walnuts and strawberries and drizzling it with pomegranate vinaigrette. You can also make a warm apple goat cheese salad by combining broiled Granny Smith apple slices with endives, parsley, walnuts, raspberry vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. You can also make goat cheese salad with pear and apple honey vinaigrette. Chopped cantaloupe, fresh greens, and berries are also a great combination to make goat cheese salad.
Baked Goat Cheese Salad Recipes
You can bake goat cheese and then put it on top of some crusty bread and drizzle it with vinaigrette and there you have a delicious salad and appetizer dish. Also try combining baked goat cheese with roasted beets, arugula, baby spinach, and vinaigrette to make a delicious salad.
You can also roll goat cheese in bread crumbs and freshly chopped herbs prior to baking it. Then you can combine the baked goat cheese with chopped mushrooms, tomatoes, and avocado as a topping for mixed greens.
Goat cheese isn’t only a great ingredient for salads. Along with making goat cheese salad, experiment with different recipes and try serving goat cheese appetizers such as grape leaves stuffed with goat cheese, goat cheese pizza, or goat cheese and mushroom fondue. Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient and it can be used in a wide range of dishes.
In conclusion, try serving a goat cheese salad the next time you cook. Making a goat cheese salad is a great way to impress your friends and family with an exotic and delicious dish. Also don’t forget to experiment with goat cheese in other dishes because it is a versatile cheese that is delicious as well as nutritious.

Simple and Easy Goat Cheese Recipes

Goat cheese, also known as chevre, is a luxurious, tangy, and creamy cheese that makes an excellent addition to any meal. Cooking with goat cheese may seem difficult because it is such an elegant and sophisticated cheese but you’d be surprised at how easy it really is. Goat cheese can be enjoyed a variety of ways and there are many goat cheese recipes that are quick and simple.
Enjoy Goat Cheese with Bread
You can enjoy goat cheese on bread in a variety of ways. You can drizzle it with olive oil and eat it with fresh baked bread or drizzle it with blackberry honey and serve it on walnut bread. Another popular and easy goat cheese recipe with bread is to add it to a sandwich of grilled chicken, roasted peppers, and roasted red onions. Vegetarians can enjoy a grilled eggplant, red onion, and goat cheese sandwich. Another vegetarian goat cheese recipe is a baguette sandwich with pear and arugula.
Goat Cheese Recipes for Breakfast
Try goat cheese recipes for breakfast instead of using the typical cheddar cheese you’ll find in omelets and scrambled eggs. Fresh scrambled eggs with chopped chive, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese is a delicious way to start the day. You can make a simple goat cheese omelet with just salt and eggs. You can also make a goat cheese frittata with bacon and sausage or mushrooms and spinach.
Goat Cheese Recipes for Appetizers and Salads
Goat cheese is perfect for appetizers and salads. You can make an exotic goat cheese salad by mixing goat cheese with chopped strawberries, walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette. You can also serve fresh goat cheese with other types of cheese on a cheese platter to accompany wine. Fresh, plain goat cheese goes best with Rose, Pinot Grigio, or Champagne. Goat cheese with peppercorn goes well with Pinot Noir and Zinfandel while goat cheese with garlic goes well with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Make no mistake about it. Goat cheese is a delicious and elegant ingredient that may be just what you need to liven up any dinner party or meal at home. There are a vast amount of goat cheese recipes out there that are simple and easy so there’s no excuse for you not to incorporate this fine cheese into your meals. Not only is goat cheese delicious, but it is a very nutritious cheese as well. It is packed with beneficial vitamins and nutrients. In sum, goat cheese makes an excellent addition to any meal because it is as healthy as it is tasty and to top it off, it is easy to cook with.