There’s really no bad time for melty cheese, but winter is an especially nice time to settle in with something oozy, warm, and highly caloric.
Of course, not all gooey cheese treats should be approached the same way. Some really are as simple as a quick toss in the oven. Some are best when sliced and thrown into a cast-iron pan for a sort of quick fondue. For lovers of baked Brie, try upgrading your cheese to a decadent double cream or a more authentic, savory version of Brie that the French go nuts for.
Read on for our six favorite cheeses to throw in your oven and what to drink with them.
This American Brie-style cheese from Vermont’s Jasper Hill Farm is likely one of your cheese monger’s favorite cheeses. A round wheel bound in spruce bark, Harbison is ooey gooey perfection at room temperature, but after spending some time in the oven, its flavors of mushrooms, forest floor, and wild raspberries intensify. Dip crostini, salami, or potato chips and pair with a Vermont IPA.
Rumored to be banned on the French subway, ripe Époisses smells like feet and tastes like bacon custard. Époisses hails from Burgundy and gets its notorious stench from being gently washed in a solution of brine and grape pomace, putting it solidly in the “washed rind” family. Époisses smells stronger than it tastes. Especially after a broil, the delight of supercharged umami overpowers any residual stink. Thanks to its lovely yeasty notes, Époisses is excellent served simply with slices of baguette or sourdough bread. It’s traditionally and beautifully paired with red Burgundy, but is also excellent with a smoky spirit like Mezcal.
What Are the Best Cheeses for Baking? While French cheeses like brie and Camembert are obvious choices for baking, they aren’t the only options. Fresh or brined cheeses including ricotta, goat cheese, feta, and blue also bake up beautifully.
Slice in a Cast Iron Pan
If you’ve been on the internet anytime in the past few years, you’ve likely seen drool-worthy melty cheese videos featuring raclette. There’s a fancy machine you can get to recreate the experience at home, but you can also simply slice raclette (after removing the rind), broil it in a cast iron pan, and then top the cheese with potatoes, bread, meat, and roasted veggies. Just like they did on Instagram! Enjoy with a brown ale.
This is not the red waxed Danish fontina from the grocery store. Fontina Val d’Aosta has been made in Italy’s Aosta Valley region since the 12th century from the milk of cows grazing on Alpine pastures. Made similarly to Raclette, it melts in the same no-holds-barred oozy way, and its nuttier, grassier flavor pairs perfectly with Barbaresco. If you want your baked fontina to feel like a fancy party dish, try Ina Garten’s Baked Fontina recipe with garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Pair with a dry, fruity white wine from northern Italy, like Pinot Grigio.
How To Prepare Gardner’s Oven-Baked Cheese
FAQ
What is the best cheese to bake in the oven?
What type of cheese is good for baking?
What cheese can be cooked?
What kind of cheese can I bake?
Good options include mozzarella, cheddar, brie, camembert, feta, and goat cheese. Soft cheeses like brie and camembert are especially easy to bake and will soften and become gooey when heated. You can bake cheese on its own or use it in recipes like mac and cheese, lasagna, or stuffed peppers.
Which is the most healthy cheese to eat?
Types of cheese are distinguished according to the basic ingredients and processing methods. Therefore, the nutritional content and characteristics of each cheese certainly varies. As every individual’s nutritional requirement and health conditions are different, it is important to choose the type of cheese based on the condition. Feta cheese and Goat cheese are traditionally made from goat’s or sheep’s milk. This type of cheese is beneficial for people who are lactose intolerant because feta lacks casein, the main protein in cow’s milk that is not easily digested by people with lactose intolerance. In addition, feta cheese is rich in mineral phosphorus which is good for healthy, strong bones and teeth. Cheddar cheese that comes from cow’s milk is also beneficial for those who are lactose sensitive. This is because its long aging process reduces the content of lactose in the cheese. This type of cheese is high in calcium which is important for bone health. In addition, Mozzarella Cheese is low in sodium and low in fat when compared to cheddar and parmesan cheese. This is a good alternative for individuals with hypertension or kidney disease. However, the calcium and mineral levels of mozzarella are not as high as the two cheeses.
Can You bake cheese in the oven?
One of the most popular ways to enjoy cheese is by baking it in the oven. Baked cheese dishes are not only delicious but also easy to make, making them perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. However, not all cheese types are suitable for baking in the oven.
What can I serve with baked cheese?
It’ll even make a great canapé when served with a variety of cured meats. If you’re serving your baked cheese after dessert, keep it sweet by adding a honey and a balsamic drizzle straight out of the oven for a truly tantalising taste.