Honeyed Toast Cheese

One-Hour Cheese

Posted by Workman

About

My inspiration for this recipe is the Finnish cheese juustoleipä (also known as bread cheese), a precooked cheese originally made of reindeer milk that can be dunked in coffee and eaten for breakfast like toast. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play with that idea!

I infused this incarnation with cardamom flavor (which is not Finnish, but is inspired by ras malai, an Indian treat made with paneer and flavored with cardamom syrup), which adds a warm spiciness on a chilly day.
When it’s allowed to cool or is just toasted slightly, this cow’s milk version is like buttered toast. Freshly broiled, Honeyed Toast Cheese tastes like and has the consistency of a ricotta cheesecake. Top it with juicy berries to enjoy as a delicious dessert, or do like the Finnish and have it take a dive into your coffee!

How Easy Is It?
Level: Easy Easier Easiest
Ready to Eat In: 1 hour
Makes: 1/2 pound
Biggest Pain: Extra broiling step, which means more dirty dishes.
Uses: As toast, as cheesecake, or in place of a crust for a fruit tart.
Recommended Milk: 
1/2 gallon whole cow’s milk (very flexible; see variations).
Worth Mentioning: You can broil it right before serving as instructed or skip broiling. The cheese will firm up just by cooling and will be similar to paneer, but sweet.

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You Will Need (24 things)

  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 10 Cardamom pods
  • ½ gal Cow’s Milk
  • ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
  • ¼ tsp Flake Salt or to taste
  • 2 tbsp Honey , divided
  • 3 tbsp Butter

  • Supplies

  • Mortar & Pestle
  • 3 -inch length of cotton Twine
  • 4 x 4-inch piece of Cheesecloth or coffee filter
  • Large Colander or mesh strainer
  • Fine Cheesecloth
  • Large heat-resistant Bowl (optional, for whey collection)
  • 3 -quart stock Pot
  • Large Mixing Spoon
  • Cooking Thermometer
  • ¼ Cup
  • ¼ Teaspoon
  • Medium Mixing Bowl , for curds
  • 1 Tablespoon
  • 8 -inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe Dish
  • 1 Spoon , for pressing cheese
  • Small heat-resistant Bowl

Steps (24 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Crush the cinnamon and cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle to release their oils and aroma.

  2. 2

    Collect and tie the spices into the small piece of cheesecloth or coffee filter to create a bundle. Set it aside.

  3. 3

    Line the colander with cheesecloth. Place a bowl underneath if you want to collect the whey; otherwise, place the lined colander in your clean sink.

  4. 4

    Pour the milk into the pot.

  5. 5

    Drop the bundle of spices into the pot of milk. Then heat the milk, on medium, to 200°F.

  6. 6

    Stay close and monitor the heat, stirring every few minutes to prevent a skin from forming on the surface of the milk. Check for sticking milk at the bottom of the pot. (Reduce the heat if you feel any milk sticking.)

  7. 7

    Look for steam and frothy bubbles as the milk approaches 200°F. (Note: It should look like foam, not a rolling boil.) Remove the bundle of spices just as the milk reaches temperature.

  8. 8

    Confirm that the milk temperature has reached 200°F.

  9. 9

    Add and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Within seconds, coagulation should happen—and it is dramatic. (If for some reason it is not obvious, add another tablespoon of apple cider vinegar; some brands can be a little weaker.)

  10. 10

    Lower the heat and gently stir the curds for 2 minutes (don’t break them up, just move them around). Stirring assists them in shrinking and releasing whey, which will make the Toast Cheese firm.

  11. 11

    Turn off the heat and carefully pour the curds and whey into the cloth-lined colander.

  12. 12

    Drain the curds for 3 to 5 minutes or until their texture resembles popcorn. You may stir them gently to help release whey.

  13. 13

    Add the salt and stir it in quickly and thoroughly.

  14. 14

    Gather the cheesecloth corners and twist them to create a tight bundle, squeezing to release more whey.

  15. 15

    Unwrap the curds and place them in the medium-size mixing bowl. Mix in one tablespoon of the honey. (Note: Honey varies in color from a pale creamy hue to a deep molasses color. Experiment—they’ll all provide slightly nuanced flavors.)

  16. 16

    Use your hands to knead the curds into a doughlike texture, about a minute. You will know it’s the right consistency when a handful clumps together. Your cheese is ready to eat warm now (try it on toast with jam on top) or store for later.

  17. 17

    Melt the butter and remaining honey in a skillet, about 1 minute.

  18. 18

    Pour the melted honey butter into a small bowl. Leave the residual coating in the skillet.

  19. 19

    Use a spoon to press the doughy cheese into the skillet immediately.

  20. 20

    Pour the remaining honey butter over the flattened cheese. Most will soak into the cheese 
as it heats in the next step, with some remaining at the top.

  21. 21

    Broil, brown with a culinary torch, or bake in a preheated oven at 450°F until the top gets toasty and the butter and honey is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Allow cheese to cool in the pan.

  22. 22

    Invert the skillet over a cutting board or other work surface, allowing the cheese to fall, top-side down. The bottom should appear toasted as well. (Note: If you torched it, leave it in the skillet to slice—the bottom will not have browned.)

  23. 23

    Slice up the cooled cheese and, using a fork, dunk a slice into your coffee. Make sure you Finnish the whole cup!

  24. 24

    Serving Suggestion

    Strawberry-Covered Chocolate Cheesecake
    — Serves 4 —

    Everyone knows and loves chocolate-covered strawberries, but what about strawberry-covered chocolate? On top of a cheesecake! That totally wins.

    2 ounces dark chocolate
    1 pan (or 3 small patties) Honeyed Toast Cheese
    5 to 8 ripe strawberries, washed and sliced

    Shave the dark chocolate using a cheese grater (of course!) onto the hot Toast Cheese at Step 6 in Part 2. If you are using cooled cheese, melt the chocolate and spread or drizzle it over the cheese. Press sliced strawberries into the melted chocolate. Eat immediately or better yet, chill the cheesecake in the freezer for 15 minutes or until the chocolate firms up and holds the strawberries. Serve with strong hot or iced coffee.