Homemade Leipäjuusto (Finnish Bread Cheese) Recipe
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Loading... - Jendayi Gad
- 17 Oct 2024
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Leipäjuusto, also known as "Finnish squeaky cheese" or "bread cheese," is a traditional Finnish cheese that is often enjoyed warm and served with cloudberry jam or other sweet toppings. Here’s a simple recipe to make Leipäjuusto at home:
Ingredients
- 2 liters of fresh cow’s milk (traditionally reindeer or goat milk can be used, but cow’s milk is more common today)
- ½ teaspoon rennet (liquid or tablet form, dissolved in water)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat the milk: Slowly heat the milk in a large pot over medium-low heat until it reaches around 37°C (98.6°F), which is slightly above body temperature.
- Add rennet: Dissolve the rennet in water, then stir it into the warm milk. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 30-45 minutes to allow the milk to coagulate.
- Cut the curds: Once the curds form, use a knife to gently cut them into small squares (about 1-inch pieces). Let it sit for another 5 minutes.
- Cook the curds: Heat the mixture again over medium heat until the curds begin to separate more from the whey, but do not boil. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Once the curds are firm, transfer them into a cheese mold or a colander lined with cheesecloth.
- Drain and press: Allow the curds to drain and set by pressing gently to remove excess whey. Let it sit for several hours, or until firm.
- Bake or grill: Traditionally, the cheese is baked or grilled until it has a golden-brown crust. Place the drained cheese on a baking sheet and bake at 250°C (480°F) for about 10-15 minutes, or until browned.
Serving
Leipäjuusto is often served warm with cloudberry jam or honey. It can be reheated by frying it in a pan or briefly warming it in the oven.
