When Is It Safe To Feed Your Baby Cheese?

As a new parent, you are probably looking forward to the time when you can start introducing your baby to solid foods. The good news is that cheese is actually one of the earlier foods that you can give your baby, despite the concerns of most people. Keep in mind, however, that every baby is different, so you need to know how to properly start giving your baby cheese.

Age

You can actually start giving your baby a bit of cheese as soon as she is about six months, provided that she can already gum or chew well. You will, of course, want to make sure the cheese is in small pieces to minimize a choking risk. Many parents wonder why you can introduce cheese before milk and the answer comes down to the fact that when cheese is cultured, the quantity of lactose is reduced, making it easier to digest the milk protein.

Safety Concerns

Anytime you introduce a new food, like cheese, to your baby, you need to carefully watch her for signs of an allergic reaction such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, skin rash, wheezing, or swelling on the face, lips, or tongue. If your baby has shown signs of a milk allergy or there is a family history of one, talk to your pediatrician before giving your child any cheese.

Best Types Of Cheese

Although you can start giving your baby cheese early on, you shouldn’t just give her any cheese you have lying around. Experts suggest you start with those with mild flavors such as American, Jack, Colby, cheddar, or cottage cheese. You should not, however, give your baby soft cheeses until she is older as these are frequently unpasteurized and may contain listeria. Although the risk is low, you should always consult your pediatrician before giving your baby any soft cheese, although cottage cheese and cream cheese are usually safe for baby.

Serving Ideas

When you give your baby cheese, be sure that it is actually cheese and not a “cheese product.” The easiest way to do this is to purchase it from a cheese retailer. You can easily offer the solid cheeses (like cheddar) as finger foods, but shred it first. You can also melt it and add it to some small pieces of bread or veggies. You can even stir it into rice, noodles, scrambled eggs. If you want to give your baby cottage cheese, you should try mixing it with fruit, spices, or a mashed avocado or banana while your baby gets used to the texture.

When Does Cheese Go Bad?

The only problem when it comes to cheese is that it is sometimes impossible to finish an entire wheel or wedge in one sitting, no matter how hard you try. Whether you have leftover cheese simply purchased a large quantity of cheese and need to know how long it will be good for, it helps to know when it will be going bad. The following guidelines can help you predict how long of a life your cheese has as well as show you if it is no longer safe to eat.

Hard Cheese

No matter the type of cheese you have, its lifespan will depend on whether it is opened or unopened and in a chunk or shredded. Hard cheese (like Romano, Asiago, or Parmesan) that is unopened and in a chunk will last two to four months in the fridge, but if it is shredded, it will only last one to two months. If the cheese is opened, however, plan on a chunk lasting three to six weeks and the shredded version going three to four weeks.

Semi-Hard Cheese

As cheese gets softer, its lifespan decreases. Therefore a semi-hard cheese (like Swiss or cheddar), in a chunk will last one to two months if unopened or three to six weeks of opened. Shredded semi-hard cheese should be good for a month when unopened or two weeks if opened. Soft cheeses will have an even shorter lifespan, which is when the following guidelines become helpful.

Use Smell

If you aren’t sure whether your cheese is past its prime, the easiest way to tell is by using your senses. One of the first signs that cheese is bad will be if it smells odd. All cheeses smell different, so be sure to give your cheese a sniff when you buy it so you know what it should smell like. Bad cheese may smell like the freezer or fridge, like ammonia, or like spoiled milk.

Use Sight

While most people are concerned about a little bit of mold, you can simply cut this portion off (including a bit extra in every direction) and eat the rest of the cheese. If, however, the cheese is completely covered in mold, then you should toss it. Also pay attention to whether the cheese has changed colors or the texture has become less consistent. Check for bloated packaging, oil, and sliminess as well.

Use Taste

Although most people are hesitant to do so, the final way to see if your cheese is bad is to have a small taste. Eating a tiny piece won’t hurt you, and it can be the best way to tell for sure whether cheese has gone bad. If you aren’t sure based on timing, sight, and smell, then tasting will be the only way to see if the cheese is good and you will know as soon as you take a nibble. Just remember to only take a small bite.

What Qualities Should A Fine Cheese Have?

While many people are familiar with low- or medium-quality cheeses, not everyone has the necessary experience with fine cheese to be able to make an educated decision. Any cheese specialty store, whether it is online or a physical store, will have experts on staff that can help you select the right cheese. Despite this, it still helps to have a good idea of the qualities to look for in a fine cheese ahead of time.

Production Location

Keep in mind that where a cheese is produced will actually affect the way that the fine cheese tastes. Some cheeses, for example, are made in specific caves that are naturally cool. These cheeses tend to have unique coloring and flavor. If you are looking for a specific type of cheese with a particular flavor within it, ask to be sure that the fine cheese was made in the necessary location for the flavor to come across.

Not Pre-Cut

Although there are some exceptions to the rule, a fine cheese should not typically be pre-cut. That is because when a cheese is cut, it will stop aging correctly, and that can affect the flavor of it. Therefore the best cheese retailers will cut the piece of cheese when ordered, with certain exceptions. Hard cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano tend to do fine when pre-cut so even fine cheeses of that variety may already be packaged before you place your order.

Healthy Appearance

Any fine cheese you purchase should look healthy and this should be fairly obvious at a glance. The cheese should be free of major dents or cracks with the rinds intact. The inside of a fine cheese won’t be too dry, bulging, or runny.

Wrapped Correctly

When looking at fine cheese, remember that plastic wrap is generally a poor decision for packaging cheese. Therefore a fine cheese sold by a quality retailer should have the cheese wrapped in waxed, parchment, or cheese paper. Fine cheese can be wrapped in one of those types of paper and then plastic wrap, and this is actually a good sign for moist cheese.

Clear Label

Fine cheese should also include a clear label, either on the cheese itself or its description online (or a nearby sign in a physical store). The label should include all the pertinent information such as the type of cheese, its origins, common uses, price, type of cheese, and more.

About Flavor

When you finally take a bite of your fine cheese, it should have a nice, long flavor. This is the main characteristic that distinguishes fine cheese from standard cheese as fine cheeses tend to focus more on long-lasting flavors as opposed to sharp ones upfront that instantly fade. Additionally, the flavors within the cheese should all be balanced as fine cheeses won’t feel too sharp; instead you should notice a richness and a different flavor with each bite.

What Qualities Should A Fine Cheese Have?

While many people are familiar with low- or medium-quality cheeses, not everyone has the necessary experience with fine cheese to be able to make an educated decision. Any cheese specialty store, whether it is online or a physical store, will have experts on staff that can help you select the right cheese. Despite this, it still helps to have a good idea of the qualities to look for in a fine cheese ahead of time.

Production Location

Keep in mind that where a cheese is produced will actually affect the way that the fine cheese tastes. Some cheeses, for example, are made in specific caves that are naturally cool. These cheeses tend to have unique coloring and flavor. If you are looking for a specific type of cheese with a particular flavor within it, ask to be sure that the fine cheese was made in the necessary location for the flavor to come across.

Not Pre-Cut

Although there are some exceptions to the rule, a fine cheese should not typically be pre-cut. That is because when a cheese is cut, it will stop aging correctly, and that can affect the flavor of it. Therefore the best cheese retailers will cut the piece of cheese when ordered, with certain exceptions. Hard cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano tend to do fine when pre-cut so even fine cheeses of that variety may already be packaged before you place your order.

Healthy Appearance

Any fine cheese you purchase should look healthy and this should be fairly obvious at a glance. The cheese should be free of major dents or cracks with the rinds intact. The inside of a fine cheese won’t be too dry, bulging, or runny.

Wrapped Correctly

When looking at fine cheese, remember that plastic wrap is generally a poor decision for packaging cheese. Therefore a fine cheese sold by a quality retailer should have the cheese wrapped in waxed, parchment, or cheese paper. Fine cheese can be wrapped in one of those types of paper and then plastic wrap, and this is actually a good sign for moist cheese.

Clear Label

Fine cheese should also include a clear label, either on the cheese itself or its description online (or a nearby sign in a physical store). The label should include all the pertinent information such as the type of cheese, its origins, common uses, price, type of cheese, and more.

About Flavor

When you finally take a bite of your fine cheese, it should have a nice, long flavor. This is the main characteristic that distinguishes fine cheese from standard cheese as fine cheeses tend to focus more on long-lasting flavors as opposed to sharp ones upfront that instantly fade. Additionally, the flavors within the cheese should all be balanced as fine cheeses won’t feel too sharp; instead you should notice a richness and a different flavor with each bite.

What Is The Best Way To Store Cheese?

Despite your best efforts, chances are that you will have some cheese leftover from your initial purchase. Whether you are looking to store the leftover cheese or store the entire thing before you ever take a bite, it is important to know the right methods. When you store cheese correctly, you will preserve the texture and flavor so despite eating it a few days later, it still tastes fresh.

Wrapping Material

The first thing to consider is what you will be wrapping the cheese in. Plastic is the most common option, but should almost never be used. Cheese, particularly softer cheese, needs to breathe in order to maintain its texture. Therefore you should opt for cheese paper, parchment paper, or even wax paper. No matter the type of cheese, wrap it in one of these materials.

How To Wrap

The process of wrapping up the cheese is actually fairly simple. Simply place the cheese, parchment, or wax paper flat on top of your counter, putting the cheese wedge on top of it. Fold up the edges, one at a time, ensuring that you make neat creases. Secure the wrapping with a bit of tape and be sure to label the cheese with the type and date so you can keep track of its age.

Changing Brine

If you have a fresh cheese, chances are that it is stored in some brine. The good news is that you don’t need to change this brine daily, like some people suggest. Instead, simply change it if it starts to smell or look off, or is contaminated. Simply dump the brine and throw in a few cups water with a tablespoon salt dissolved in it. Keep in mind that the cheese will absorb some of the salt, so you may want to reduce the amount.

Temperature

Hard cheeses can be out of the refrigerator for a few days, but with that exception, you should always store your cheese in a nice, cold environment. You want them to be in an environment that is 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and that means that the ideal location in your fridge is the vegetable drawer, or if you don’t have one, opt for the bottom shelf.

Based On Cheese Type

Although all cheeses should be wrapped up in cheese paper before placing them in the fridge, there are some differences in terms of the best storage method for various types. After wrapping up hard cheese, for example, you can put it inside a sealed plastic container or bag, as losing moisture isn’t as crucial. You may want to do the same with blue cheese, but don’t seal the bag, to prevent the odor from spreading around your fridge. If a fresh cheese was originally packaged in brine, leave it in the original container and simply change the brine as needed.

What Is The Best Way To Make Cheese Sauce?

Cheese sauce is one of the many different types of dishes you can make using cheese. The great thing about a cheese sauce is that it is incredibly versatile as you can make it using nearly any type of cheese that you want, meaning that the end result can complement whichever dish you choose. This allows you to make the perfect cheese sauce for meat one day, for fish the next, and for pasta the next day.

Select The Right Cheese

The very first step in making the best cheese sauce is to select the correct cheese. Although you may be tempted to go with your favorite cheese, no matter the type, the truth is that some types of cheese will do better than others when it comes to cheese sauce. The simple route is to opt for a processed cheese, as these tend to melt uniformly, but they usually lack a great deal in terms of flavor. Teh good news is that there are also many natural cheeses that do well in cheese sauce. Some of the best options include Muenster, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Gruyere, Gouda, fontina, colby, cheddar, and Asiago. You can also use soft cheeses or blue cheeses, but be sure to remove the rind first.

Order Of Ingredients

Once you have your ingredients ready, you want to think about the order. Despite cheese being the main ingredient in cheese sauce, it is actually added last. That is because cheese can easily overcook and when this happens, it affects the texture negatively. As such, you want to add the cheese as your final ingredient. Be sure that you add the cheese when the sauce is cooking at a low temperature. If necessary, take extremely hot sauce off the heat so it cools slightly before adding the cheese. Also, be sure to grate the cheese before adding it as this will allow it to melt more smoothly.

Cooking Steps

The exact way to make cheese sauce will depend on the recipe that you select, but the general steps will be the same. Begin by cooking the same amount of butter and flour in a pan (first melting the butter, then whisking in the flour). Lower the heat and constantly stir. After the flour has cooked a bit, turn off the heat and warm up milk, then slowly add it into the mixture. Now you can simmer the sauce, constantly whisking it until it thickens. Finally, you can throw in the shredded cheese and whatever seasonings you want. Be sure to cook on very low heat due to the cheese.

Tips For Using Cheese In Casseroles

Casseroles are a popular meal choice as there are limitless options and varieties available. You can combine almost any type of meat and vegetables, letting you use up leftovers before they go bad. Almost all casseroles will involve cheese as that is part of what adds to their flavor and texture. The cheese also serves as the binding agent, letting all of the ingredients easily connect together. The following tips can help you with selecting the right cheese for your casserole or actually cooking it.

Consider Melt

When it comes time to think about which cheese to use in the casserole, you want to think about its melt. Not all cheeses are capable of melting, and many fresh cheeses are not. Generally speaking, harder cheeses (which are low-moisture) need to melt at higher temperatures. Softer cheeses with high moisture (like mozzarella) tend to melt at lower temperatures. Also keep in mind whether you want a cheese that melts in strings or forms a cohesive melted mass. Hard cheeses, like parmesan, tend to melt in individual into individual pieces, while semi-hard cheeses, like cheddar, form a melted mass.

Improve Melt Efficiency

When it comes to preparing your casserole, you probably won’t want to cook the cheese for too long. In order to make it melt more efficiently, most recipes call for shredding or grating the cheese. This allows you to increase the surface area so the cheese melts quicker and in a more uniformed manner.

Cooking Temperature And Placement

If you are making a cheesy casserole, you want to keep the temperature at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit or less (definitely not over 375 Fahrenheit), otherwise the cheese sauce may begin to break up. Also keep in mind that the longer the casserole cooks, the dryer the cheese will become. Generally speaking, you want to keep the casserole three of four inches away from your oven’s heat source to prevent burning the cheese. Your main concern when cooking with cheese is to not overcook it, which is why the recommended temperature sits firmly at 350 degrees.

Adding Cheese Toppings

If you plan on adding some cheese to the very top of your casserole, either instead of or in addition to cheese throughout the dish, save this for almost the very end. You should try to add these final cheese toppings when there are about five to ten minutes left for cooking the casserole. This will give the cheese enough time to melt, but not enough to burn.

Tips For An Upscale Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is a classic dish as it is incredibly simple to make. Although the process varies, you basically pick some cheese and bread and cook the sandwich in a pan. While the standard grilled cheese is typically made using standard store-bought bread and American (or other processed) cheese, you can actually turn the classic sandwich into an upscale version with just a few simple tips.

Selecting The Cheese

The first step to making an upscale grilled cheese is to select your ideal cheese. Although there are almost limitless cheeses to select from, you want one that will melt correctly. Avoid cheeses that don’t melt, such as queso fresco, feta, fresh goat cheese, Indian paneer, and cottage cheese. Traditionally, grilled cheese is made with a flowing and smooth melter, such as cheddar, blue cheese, gouda, muenster, monterey jack, brie, fontina, or asiago. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, however, you can try a cheese that melts into stretchy strings, like mozzarella, provolone, or even fresh cheddar cheese curds.

Throw In Extra Ingredients

The best way to take your grilled cheese to the next level is by adding additional items to it. After selecting your favorite cheese and bread, think about what additional items you would like to throw in, such as vegetables or meats. The most popular option is probably tomatoes, but you can also add avocado, tart apples, hot peppers, pears, sweet grapes, berries, and dried fruits. For meats, bacon is a popular choice, although almost any deli meat works, and you can even get creative and add a pre-made sauce like pesto or your favorite jam. Some people even put pretzels or potato chips in their grilled cheese and while that may not be upscale, it certainly is creative and adds some unique flavors and textures.

Shred The Cheese

Some grilled cheese experts recommend using sliced cheese and that is the traditional method. Many, however, find that shredding the cheese truly helps you get an even consistency. It also makes it easier to add in some of the extra ingredients mentioned above as you can fit shredded cheese in any nook or cranny left open. A bonus of using shredded cheese is that you can easily use more than one type of cheese and mix them together evenly.

The Cooking Process

Making an upscale grilled cheese sandwich follows the same exact directions as any other type of grilled cheese. For the best flavor and texture, grill both slices of bread in some butter, then flip them over and grill the other side after adding the cheese on top. Simply close the sandwich and flip it over part way through to make it into a grilled cheese.

Tasty Ways To Use Cheese In Dessert

Cheese is traditionally thought of as an appetizer, or possibly the main course, but few people ever associate cheese with dessert. In reality, however, cheese can make an excellent addition to your dessert, no matter the dish you served. This means that next time you are hosting a dinner party, consider one of the following tasty treats to give your guests some cheese with dessert.

By Itself

When done correctly, you can actually have cheese as it is for dessert. This is actually a fairly popular trend in Europe and it is beginning to spread to the United States. The thing to keep in mind about serving cheese for dessert is that it is easy to do; you simply want to make sure that you select the right cheese. You ideally want to go with fine cheese, but don’t feel limited by sweetness. You can make a stinky cheese work by combining it with sweeter sides like fruit. Try to select cheese that is lighter, such as fresh goat cheese, as not only is it less filling, but it also combines well with other items. If you are having cheese by itself for dessert, try not to serve more than two or three and add in some fresh fruit, flavorful dried fruit (like cherries, apricots, or figs), nuts, or honey. Perhaps the easiest dessert cheese to find is fresh ricotta.

Cheesecake

The classic, delicious way to incorporate cheese into your dessert is via cheesecake. This dessert is made using cream cheese, but you can also find creative varieties that incorporate other elements. The great thing about cheesecake is its versatility as you can make it plain or add in any flavor that you want from chocolate to fruit to nuts.

Pies

If you think you enjoy apple pie, try making it with a slice of cheddar cheese. One option is to simply serve the apple pie and add a fresh slice of cheddar on top of each piece. Alternatively, you can take advantage of cheddar’s excellent melting abilities and bake it right into the crust. To do so, either blend it into the dough using a food processor, or roll up little pieces into the crust as you are rolling out the base and putting it in the pan.

Ice Cream

When most people think of ice cream, they picture the creamy goodness that you get from a milk-based treat, possibly with chocolate or other sweet add-ins. There is a growing trend, however, of making ice cream with cheese. You can easily find plenty of recipes online that only require a few simple ingredients. These take advantage of all types of cheese including blue cheese, goat cheese, and even parmesan.

How To Tell Cheese Allergies

For cheese lovers, an allergy to cheese would be one of the worst things to happen. Most of the time, people don’t develop allergies to cheese in particular; instead it will be a milk allergy in general or perhaps even lactose intolerance. If you think you might be allergic to cheese, don’t start worrying until you are tested, but the following information can give you an idea of whether you are truly allergic. The good news is that if you are lactose intolerant, not simply allergic to cheese, you will still be able to eat some cheese; you just have to select them carefully.

Symptoms Of Cheese Allergy

As mentioned earlier, most people are allergic to milk, not just cheese. In the case of an allergic reaction, the symptoms will be similar to those of any other allergy. This means that right after eating cheese, you may experience vomiting, wheezing, or hives. Over time, you may also notice an itchy skin rash (particularly by your mouth), watery eyes, a runny nose, coughing, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea. In extreme cases, a cheese (milk) allergy can lead to anaphylaxis when the airways narrow. The symptoms of lactose intolerance, on the other hand, include nausea, painful gas, diarrhea, cramps, and bloating.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of lactose intolerance and a milk or cheese allergy seem similar at first, but they are actually very different things. Milk and cheese allergies work directly with the immune system, while lactose intolerance is simply the inability to digest lactose, a substance in dairy products, and will not involve the immune system at all.

Most of the time a doctor will diagnose a cheese allergy in several ways. They will ask about the symptoms and what foods you ate before hand. They will also do a physical exam and may ask you to exclude all cheese (or dairy products) and slowly add them back in to test for a reaction. There are also skin tests and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Lactose Intolerance And Cheese

If you are allergic to milk or cheese, then you sadly won’t find many options, although some people with a cheese allergy can still eat cheese made from non-cow’s milk, such as goat cheese. Those with lactose intolerance, however, will still be able to tolerate small quantities of lactose, including processed cheese. That means that in addition to eating goat cheese, lactose intolerant people can also have cheese that is highly processed or very aged. Aged cheese tends to have less lactose as this slowly converts to lactic acid, making them ideal for those with lactose intolerance. 

How Should You Pack Cheese To Ship?

Cheese is an incredibly delicious food, but certain areas of the country, such as Wisconsin, tend to have much more variety than other locations. That means that if you want a special cheese from across the country, you may need to ask someone to purchase and ship the cheese to you. The same is also true if you have a delicious cheese that you want to share with a distant friend. When shipping cheese, always pick the fastest shipping method so it arrives within two or three days and follow these tips.

Time Of Year

There are actually certain times of the year that it is better or easier to send cheese. You should ideally send it during the colder months of the year as you may not need to add ice packs or similar items to the packaging. Most of the time packages are left out on loading docks or warehouses that are the same temperature as outdoors, making fall or winter the ideal time to send cheese without concerns for refrigeration.

Ideal Cheeses For Shipping

As long as you know what you are doing, you can send any type of cheese you want. If you are starting off, however, keep in mind that hard, aged cheeses tend to be much easier to ship. That is because these cheeses will not be damaged by spending a few days out of refrigeration, especially if it is not the height of summer.

Keep In Original Packaging

If you have ordered cheese online from a specialty retailer, then trust their packaging method. Simply copy it in the future, or if you plan on sending a portion of your order on to someone else, remove the cheese you plan on keeping and send the rest on in its original packaging.

Packing Method

The best way to pack cheese to ship is to place inside an insulated container (such as a disposable cooler) filled with ice packs in addition to cushioning, like packing peanuts. This will keep the cheese cushioned and cold for two days (possibly three). Opt for frozen gel packs when selecting the right packaging materials and don’t forget to label the package with the words “keep refrigerated” or “perishable” so the mail service is aware that the contents have special requirements.

Receiving Shipped Cheese

When you get cheese that has been shipped, always carefully examine it before eating it to ensure it still appears normal and safe. Your senses of sight, smell, and taste should be enough. Also be sure to take the cheese out of the packaging and put it into the refrigerator as soon as possible to ensure freshness and optimize shelf-life.

Get To Know Different Types Of Cheese Sauces

If you are a cheese lover, then chances are that at some point or another you have decided to make or buy cheese sauce. While you can purchase it, most of the time it tastes better when made fresh. Instead of opting for a processed or pre-packaged cheese sauce that you just need to heat up, get to know the basic types of cheese sauces so you can make them at home and enjoy the flavors whenever you want.

Mornay Sauce

Mornay sauce is considered one of the classics and it is a type of bechamel sauce typically made using melted Parmesan and Gruyere. To make this sauce, you start off by creating a white sauce with some milk, butter, and flour. Then throw in seasoning such as pepper and nutmeg. Take a separate bowl and mix together cream and an egg yolk before beating them into the sauce mixture. After it cooks for about a minute, take it off the heat and stir in your cheese. This cheese sauce works great with vegetables, fish, and pasta.

Fondue

Most people are familiar with fondue, one of the most popular types of cheese sauce. It is traditionally made with Swiss cheese, but other common options include Raclette, Emmental, and Gruyere; you can also get creative and select your favorite. You typically melt this cheese and then dip various items, such as crusty bread, into it.

Rarebit

Rarebit is a type of melted cheese that is baked into a white sauce and made with beer, giving it a unique flavor.

Four Cheese

Just as it sounds, four cheese is a type of cheese sauce made from four different types of cheese. It is incredibly popular for pasta, particularly gnocchi, but keep in mind that it contains a lot of cheese and therefore high levels of salt and fat. Usually the cheeses in this particular sauce will be milk-based. An example combination of cheeses from packaged four cheese sauce is Italica, Grana (Parmesan), Fontal (Fontina), and Gorgonzola. Some experts suggest Parmigiano, Gruyere, Edam, and mozzarella, showing the true versatility of this sauce.

Making Your Own Cheese Sauce

As mentioned, you will generally get better flavor by opting to make the cheese sauce yourself as opposed to purchasing a store-bought one. When you are making the cheese sauce, shred up the cheese so it is in smaller pieces and will melt quicker and more consistently. Also be sure to add the cheese at the very end, when the sauce is at low heat (or off the flame entirely, but still warm) as this will prevent it from overcooking.