Homeliving in Style

Graters cut cheese into small, thin slivers which are perfect for garnishing a variety of dishes. The increased surface area allows cheese to melt more quickly in dishes such as nachos and lasagna. Traditionally, these small pieces of cheese were created by the use of a hand-held grater. A repetitive motion, gliding a block of cheese across the grater s surface, was required to shred the cheese. However, many found this method to be tiring and eventually painful to the hands when the task was performed repeatedly or over a long period of time. This unfortunate circumstance may hinder cooks from performing their best work. An electric cheese grater takes much of the labor out of the task, without compromising the quality of the resulting cheese pieces.

This kitchen appliance is a great help to those who prepare meals that involve the grating of food frequently. It saves on preparation time, allowing the cook to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Electric cheese graters, as a time saving option, are preferable to the alternative of buying pre-grated cheese. This is because the resulting cheese shreds will be fresher and thus retain more of their flavor. Any cook who takes pride in her cooking wishes to have the freshest, most flavorful ingredients in her recipes.

Choosing the Right One

Choosing the right electric cheese grater is like any other purchase. It is important to shop around for the best price, read customer reviews where available, and ask others for recommendations. Friends, especially those who cook, may be able to recommend an electric cheese grater that will suit you. However, it is essential to be clear about your specific needs, such as how you will be using the appliance and what you hope to achieve with it. Electric cheese graters range from the very small to the very large (and expensive) restaurant grade. Purchasing one that is not sufficient for your projects is just as wasteful as choosing one with functions you have no use for.

A popular option for the typical domestic cook is the cordless electric cheese grater variety because it provides the convenience of an electric cheese grater, with the ease of movement that would not be possible if the cook were constrained by the limits of an electrical cord. When choosing a cordless version, bear in mind that rechargeable units typically have stronger and more consistent power, while battery operated models are best only for small jobs or soft cheese.

Cream cheese was invented in 1872 by an enterprising dairyman who realized that by adding cream to the cheese mixture, he could create one of the smoothest and creamiest cheeses on the market. The product quickly took off, and was sold in tin wrapped packets under the name of Philadelphia Brand. In 1928, Kraft Foods bought out the company and continues to market this brand of cheese to this day. Cream cheese is a popular choice for many recipes in the United States, but in Europe it is served as any other cheese on platters or cut up into salads. While many folks envision rich cheesecakes and other desserts when they think of this cheese, it is also a popular ingredient in entrees and side dishes as well.

How Cream Cheese is Manufactured

By law, cream cheese must have a fat content of 33%, although some low-fat varieties are now sold on the market as well. This type of cheese is not aged in any way, meaning that it has a much shorter shelf life than many other cheeses. Because of its high fat content, emulsifiers are added to increase the firmness of the cheese. Because of its short shelf life, it is better to select the freshest cream cheese possible, and to use it within a week after opening the package. If mold appears on your cream cheese, it is not safe to simply scrape off the moldy areas and eat the rest of the block. Due to the way this cheese is manufactured, you must discard the entire package and purchase a fresh one.

How Cream Cheese is used

This type of cheese makes a very popular spread for bagels and crusty breads, and is often topped with fruit, jam or smoked salmon. It spreads easiest when it is at room temperature, although it can go directly from the refrigerator to the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to spread as well. It is also a popular choice for recipes such as cheesecakes, frostings and dips, due to its creamy texture and tangy flavor. There are now varieties of cream cheese on the market that have been whipped with air to give it a lighter and fluffier texture, and some products have been mixed with fruits, onion or garlic to make a tasty spread for your bagels or crackers.

If you are interested in finding more recipes using this rich and creamy cheese, you need not look any further than your computer. The Internet is abounding with cream cheese recipes that will fill any part of your menu.

Cheese is a healthy choice in diets today, and is recommended to be consumed as often as possible because it contains calcium that can strengthen your bones naturally. However, cheese also has two other factors that you may want to take in consideration. First, it is fattening and second, it hard to digest. However, there are reasons why cottage cheese is recommended as the healthiest cheese of all.

The Making of Cheese

All cheese is made out of milk that is extracted from animals such as sheep, cows or goats. The fresh milk that is taken from these animals is left to coagulate in order to form curds, which are usually pressed and aged into the product that we know as cheese.

The process of cottage cheese is slightly different because it is not pressed, and therefore it is left in its natural form containing whey. Cottage cheese is not aged like other cheeses, but sometimes it is washed in order to get the taste that you desire.

The Healthier Choice

The cottage cheese we find in the supermarket is often not made from fresh whole milk like other cheeses are. Instead, in order to make it low in fat and carbohydrates, it is made from skim milk, which provides us with great taste with fewer calories, fat and carbohydrates, making it a healthy choice for any diet.

Cottage cheese is recommended with a fruit garnish in the morning, or as a quick snack at the office. For convenience, you can find it in individual packages garnished with fruits, jam or nuts. Cottage cheese is healthy and tasty at any time of the day, and eating it as a small snack will not slow you down, but in fact refresh and invigorate your senses until the next meal.

Helpful Tips

You will be able to find cottage cheese in all leading supermarkets, but if you are watching your waistline you may want to read carefully the labels for those that are marked as skim or low fat. This will ensure that your cottage cheese treat will be a healthy part of even the strictest diet plan. Eating healthy is a choice we make everyday and now you can do so without compromising on taste, since cottage cheese tastes great whether it is made with low fat, skim or whole milk; the choice is yours.

If you enjoy eating a fresh slice of cheese that is cut right from the block, you probably have some sort of cheese slicer in your kitchen cupboard. While knives can cut some of the harder variety of cheeses sufficiently, it is better by far to use a cheese slicer to get perfect portions of cheese every time. There are a variety of slicers on the market today, and some will work best for individual use and cooking, while others are pretty and functional enough for your entertaining needs. No cocktail party is complete without a cheese platter, and no cheese platter is complete without a cheese slicer.

The History of the Cheese Slicer

The cheese slicer was invented by a Norwegian carpenter named Thor Bjorklund in 1925. His wife had sent a chunk of cheese to his workshop for lunch one day, and the innovative carpenter needed a way to cut off smaller slices. Through that experience, he created the first cheese slicer, which he also patented that same year. The slicer began to be mass produced in Norway in 1927. Since that time, many variations have been created on Bjorklund s design, allowing every cook to find the perfect slicer to meet his needs. Although they are most popular in some European countries where sliced cheese on bread is a common fare, many styles have gained momentum in the United States as well.

Different Designs of Slicers

There are a variety of designs of cheese slicers, including those that are primarily for functional purposes. These can include many hand-held designs, and can run the gamut in quality and price. If you slice a lot of cheese to use in your recipes and cooking, it is best to find a high-quality and functional design that will last through time and plenty of use. On the other hand, if your main purpose in a cheese slicer will be for entertaining, there are many styles on the market that are beautiful as well as functional. Some of these designs are crafted out of high-quality wood or even marble, and some come with a built in tray to hold crackers or slices of bread.

These attractive cheese slicers can also make a wonderful gift for the person on your list that seems to have everything. You can throw in a package of delicious French cheese and a bottle of wine to complement, and your recipient has the beginning supplies for a lovely cocktail gathering.

The process of cheese making results in a product that is nutritious, enjoyable and satisfying. Cheese making is a respected skill that has withstood the flavorful test of time.

Before having the next wine and cheese experience it may be beneficial to the consumer to understand what factors are involved in cheese making. Therefore, it is important to know what cheese consists of, the process that is utilized in cheese making and any variances in the process.

Ingredients Used In Cheese Making

The ingredients that are used in cheese making include milk and water. Specifically, the portion of milk that is used to create cheese is the curd. The curd is that portion of milk that has turned sour and is white in color. The specific ingredients that are found within the curd is the fat content of the milk, proteins and various vitamins and minerals.

Another by-product that is created when the milk sours is the whey. The whey is a liquid that is light yellow in color.

Cheese Making Process

The actual cheese making process begins with the gathering of the curd. This curd is then pressed into cheese moulds. Once the curd has been compacted into the moulds the moulds are immersed into a briny solution. A briny solution is defined as water that is highly saturated with salt.

Immersing the cheese moulds into the briny solution is a process that lasts for several days. Following this step in the cheese making process the cheese in transition is stored. This aging process then allows for the cheese to reach its full flavorful potential.

Cheese Making Variances

Today cheese making is mass produced at creameries. The process is the same because this is a regulated industry. However, there are a few caveats. Some of these variances include the fact that modern day creameries utilize milk that has been pasteurized.

In addition, the fat content of the cheese produced on a farm may vary from the fat content of cheese produced in a creamery. This is due to the fact cheese making at a creamery is standardized which results in the fat content of the cheese being uniform.

In addition to the cheese making variances between a farm and creamery are the differences in types of cheese produced. For example some cheeses have a higher fat content and are specifically made that way. Edam cheese, which is made from milk in which the fat has been skimmed out, has a fat content of forty percent. While other cheese, such as Gouda cheese, may have a fat content of forty eight percent or higher. Other low-fat cheeses may have a fat content of twenty percent.

A lot of planning and preparation goes into organized social gatherings. One of the easiest hors d’oeuvres to prepare for a party or other social gathering is a cheese plate. Relatively little effort is required to prepare a plate that is both delicious and visually appealing to your guests. One element of presentation includes the cheese knives used to cut and serve the cheeses. Simple handles are the most elegant, provided they are of sturdy quality. The knife should not be able to shift within the handle when it is used to cut or spread food. If it does so, the item is not of quality construction.

Choosing cheese knives with the appropriate blade ensures that the visual accessory serves its proper function as well. Softer cheeses call for a flat blade that is similar to a butter knife in sharpness, and resembling the type used in bakeries to spread frosting in width and appearance. This allows for a smooth spread without tearing the bread or crackers on which the cheese is being spread. Firmer cheeses, such as those with a stiff rind, may require a sharper blade. Smaller cheese knives, with short, sharp blades, allow for cutting smaller and more precise pieces.

Catering to Your Guests

Smaller cheese knives, while allowing for precision, may be difficult for guests to use if they do not have the dexterity to handle a smaller utensil. These types of knives may also pose a risk for small children partaking in the fun. A simple solution is to swap your cheese knives for a wire cheese cutter. A thin piece of wire is pulled taught between two prongs of a sturdy handle shaped like a wishbone. The wire is not sharp to the touch, reducing the risk of injury. However, when pulled down through a block of most varieties of cheese, this alternative to cheese knives makes a smooth slice.

Another alternative to the slice your own approach is to precut your cheeses before placing them on the platter. This should be done within an hour of the party, because some cheeses can develop a hard skin when exposed to the air for too long. In this case, decorative toothpicks can be placed in each piece, allowing guests to pick and choose their favorite varieties from the cheese plate without the need to include cheese knives. Toothpicks now come in a wide variety of colors, some with decorative touches, so finding some to complement the rest of your party d cor should be quite easy.

It s no surprise that cheese has been around for a long time. With estimates ranging from 5,000 years to 10,000 years old, cheese is actually older than history. The most accepted version of its origin is that it was likely the way that already sour milk was preserved.

By waiting for the sour milk to separate, the solids could be removed, pressed and salted and then eaten. This probably happened in the Middle East. These early cheeses were probably very salty and acidic. At a later point someone discovered that milk stored in the stomach of a calf became better cheese and rennet, the enzyme that helps digest milk entered cheese history.

Ancient to Modern

Once cheese traveled to cooler climates, salt and acid became a little less important, allowing microbes and mold to become part of the flavoring of aged cheeses. Cheese was important in ancient Greece and Rome. Cheese making was mentioned in Homer s Odyssey. According to cheese history, the art of making cheese was established by the time the Roman Empire came into power.

The methods used to turn a variety of milk into a array of cheeses are similar to those used today. Cheese was considered part of an everyday diet. The Roman process of making cheese spread throughout the known world. When the Empire declined and fell, cheese history moved forward. As long-distance trade fell off, local cheese makers began to develop more diverse cheeses and processes. France and Italy take their place in cheese history by having the greatest varieties of cheeses: about 400 each.

In the modern section of cheese history, the big event was the industrialized production of cheese. The first cheese factory opened in Switzerland in 1815. Larger scale production was established in the United States with its first assembly-line cheese factory in 1851. The necessary cheese ingredient, rennet, began being mass produced a decade later.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, science was able to add pure microbial cultures to the mix. Traditional cheese making was overshadowed by factory cheese making around World War II. Today, cheese history records the fact that the majority of cheese is factory made. In America, more processed cheese is bought than any other kind. Processed cheese is a mixture of regular cheese - usually scraps some unfermented dairy products, emulsifiers for more even melting, extra salt and various food colorings.

No kitchen is complete without a cheese grater, which can provide a variety of functions and can come in a plethora of design options. While the convenience of packaged grated cheese found at the local market is unsurpassed, freshly grated cheese can provide the perfect topping for many salads, soups and pasta dishes. Cheese graters can also offer a variety of other functions, from grating nutmeg and carrots to creating a delicious zest from your favorite citrus fruit. The market is inundated with a variety of brands and designs of graters today, to meet the needs and preferences of professional and amateur chefs alike. But which grater is the best choice for you? The answer to this question will depend on a number of factors.

The Cowbell Design

Most of us remember a cheese grater in our mother s kitchen that resembled a cowbell in design, with a variety of grating options on each side. These types of cheese graters are still a popular design of today, although they can be a bit hard of the knuckles and fingers if they are not used with extreme care. Another variety of grater that is seen in many kitchen cupboards is the flat variety. This grater can be placed over a bowl, and the cheese is run over the top of the surface. The freshly grated cheese will fall into the bowl. Keep in mind that this design can be harder to use, since one hand must hold the cheese grater firmly while the other moves the cheese back and forth. There is still room for the occasional cut or scrape as well, if caution is not exercised.

There are new models of cheese graters on the market today that are much safer for knuckles and fingers and much more thorough in the grating process. These include the hand-held devices that have a compartment for you to place a chunk of cheese into. You then turn a crank on the outside of the compartment, and grated cheese will fall from the outside of the device. This is a great choice if you like to add freshly grated cheese to your salads or pasta dishes, but it can be a bit hard on the hands if used too often. Another option in this style of cheese grater is a table top variety. It is slightly larger than the hand-held counterpart, and comes in a variety of colors to coordinate with your table coverings.

For those who can t easily grate the cheese manually, there are also electric cheese graters on the market today. Simply place your blocks of cheese into the grater, press a button, and voila! Freshly grated cheese whenever you like, with minimum effort required. While these models tend to be much pricier than the manual designs, they can be worth the money if you suffer from arthritis or have trouble with the manual cheese graters.

Cheese gift baskets have been around for years, but have evolved quite elegantly into customized gifts for everyone on your list. No longer is the basic fruit, cheese and cracker variety of basket the gift of choice; today cheese gift baskets come complete with gourmet meats, desserts and wines to provide a way to tantalize the taste buds of your recipient. There are baskets that can be purchased in a variety of themes and for an array of occasions, making a cheese gift basket the perfect choice in almost any gift-giving situation. Whether your purpose is corporate or personal, for a special occasion or just because, you are guaranteed to find a gift basket that is tailored to your recipient s personal tastes and preferences.

Where to Shop for Cheese Gift Baskets

There are a variety of retailers that offer cheese gift baskets, and you can check in your local directory for one near you. Ordering your basket from a store will give you the advantage of being able to sample some of the fare that they include into their creations. However, there is a huge variety of retailers on the Internet as well that can offer a huge variety in cheese gift baskets, as well as a number of other designs and styles. The advantage to internet shopping is that you can order your gift from the comfort of your home office, and have it shipped directly to your recipient s door. Most of the websites that offer this type of merchandise will offer detailed descriptions of exactly what is included in the gift basket, and specific instructions regarding ordering and delivery.

Cheese Gift Baskets are perfect for Any Occasion

Do you have friends who are celebrating a special anniversary this year? Did your sister just move into a new house, or is your brother recovering from surgery? No matter what the holiday or occasion, there will be a cheese gift basket that will send the perfect sentiment. For a touch of romance, include a bottle of wine with your cheese spread that can make for an intimate picnic for two. For a get-well or sympathy basket, you can include the makings for chicken soup, or a rich chocolate dessert that is guaranteed to lift spirits. Housewarming gifts can incorporate a little bit of everything, but why not throw in a decorative cheese board and slicer as well?

Cheese gift baskets can be the perfect way to let a special recipient know that you are thinking of him. For flavor, quality and convenience, a gift basket cannot be beat. Start shopping for your perfect gift basket and you will be on your way to making the day of someone that you care about!

Fondue is originally a French word, which comes from fonder, meaning to melt . Cheese fondue was a very popular practice back in the 1970 s, but is also a fad that never really died because it is also a delicious one. Here is how you can get your party started with cheese fondue, and also how to make other goodies with the same pot.

The Requirements for Cheese Fondue

The fondue pot is the most important item that you will require in order to make cheese fondue, and you will find a variety of these pots in department stores and specialty food shops. Some people use fondue pots that are heated by burners, but an electric model is often recommended for beginners. Once you get the hang of this basic model, you can always switch to the more sophisticated fondue pots.

All you need to do to run an electric cheese fondue pot is to plug it in and set it at the desired temperature. Cheese is the next thing you will need for your cheese fondue party, and you can have your pick from a huge variety of cheeses. However, the best types of cheeses for a fondue pot are usually Gruyere and Emnenthaler, since they have the texture and body to melt and absorb any herbs that you may want to add for flavoring. In a classic cheese fondue recipe you will have a mixture of both cheeses as well as the following ingredients: garlic, a dash of lemon, flour, white whine, white pepper, paprika, and sometimes nutmeg or Kirsch.

Quantities for each ingredient should be calculated in relevance to the amount of cheese you use. Once you get a taste of these cheese fondues, you will undoubtedly want to try your hand at your own recipes and combinations.

Other Functions of the Fondue Pot

The second most popular use of the fondue pot is to use chocolate instead of cheese, creating a rich dessert for family and friends to enjoy together. You can serve your chocolate fondue with pieces of pound cake, marshmallows, strawberries or whatever tempts your taste buds.

Oil fondue is yet another popular way to make use of your fondue pot, and is mad by adding garlic and other herbs to the oil, and dipping breadsticks or Italian bread into it. This can be a great choice for a party or on cold weekends when you want to make something simple yet special for your family. You will find that everyone will enjoy the fondue pot specialties that you serve, whether you use cheese, chocolate or just plain oil in your fondue.