Have your heard of bread cheese? Times Right now stocks this cheese made by Cheese Brothers out of Wisconsin. It’s not a new cheese, but it’s not something everyone’s heard of, either. Contrary to the name, there’s no actual bread present in this type of cheese. Here’s what you need to know about this delicacy.
What Is Bread Cheese?
Bread cheese pays tribute to a Finnish cheese called Juustoleipä (pronounced: hoo-stah-lee-pa), traditionally made with reindeer milk (yes, you read that right) and dipped in coffee. Today, cheesemakers in Wisconsin have adapted this Scandinavian dairy product and now make it with cow’s milk.
So how did it get the name bread cheese? It’s all in the way it’s made. According to Wisconsin master cheesemaker Sid Cook, a Wisconsin master cheesemaker who has won more national and international awards than any other cheesemaker in North America, making bread cheese is “much harder as there are many more steps to the process.” Simply put, fresh cheese curds are pressed into bread-size blocks and baked in special ovens until the sugars on the outside are caramelized. The result is a block of cheese that resembles a piece of toasted bread.
What Does Bread Cheese Taste Like?
If you’ve ever had fresh cheese curds or halloumi, bread cheese is similar in that it’s got the soft, “squeaky” texture. The taste is mild but the oven-toasted top has an almost buttery flavor. Bread cheese is usually served warm (more on this later) and has a high melting point, which turns the texture more silky-smooth while still holding its shape.
How to Eat Bread Cheese
If you want to start with the traditional route, go with Cook’s favorite method of cutting bread cheese and warming it up by using it like a stir stick and stirring in a fresh cup of hot coffee. Here are some pro tips on different methods of how to cook bread cheese:
Bake or broil: Place bread cheese on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in 375°F oven until bubbly. To broil, place in the lower part of the oven until the surface is bubbly (watch it closely so it doesn’t burn). Flip to the other side after a few minutes to finish heating through.
Grill: To grill bread cheese, place directly onto the grates of a medium-hot charcoal grill (do not close the lid) or use a lightly greased grill pan. Cook a few minutes on each side until grill marks appear and cheese is warmed through and soft on the inside.
Microwave: Pop the bread cheese in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds to warm it.
Pan-fry: To pan-fry, place on a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the bread cheese on all sides until browned and warmed through, with the inside still soft.
Now for the fun part. Once you have the bread cheese ready, it’s time to enjoy. Try it as a breadless (and Keto-friendly) grilled cheese. It’ll pair perfectly with a bowl of tomato soup. You can also serve bread cheese as an appetizer by topping with honey, jam (the folks at Wisconsin Cheese recommend a homemade strawberry-rhubarb), fruit, and/or nuts. Enjoy with crackers or bread. And since bread cheese has a higher melting point, you can also use it as a vegetarian kabob option at your next cookout.
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