Gouda is a hard cheese with a sweet taste that goes well with various types of food and drinks. You can add it to a cheese platter (accompanied with fruit and bread), but you can also enjoy it with a glass of red or white wine. Gouda is also great for making sandwiches, vegetable dishes and other recipes. Before eating it, cut it into wedges and remove the outer wrapping.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cut the Gouda
Step 1. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese wheel
Tear off the plastic with the help of your fingers or the tip of a knife. Then, peel the film off the cheese until it is completely removed and discard it.
Step 2. Cut the cheese into wedges using a sharp knife
Place the tip of the knife in the center of the wheel. Make a straight cut from the center to the outer edge of the wheel. Then, put the tip of the knife back in the center and move the blade so that it is about 45 ° from the first cut made. Make a second cut. Remove the wedge from the wheel.
Wrap the rest of the cheese in cling film or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks
Step 3. Remove the waxy coating, if there is one
Some Gouda wheels have a red or black waxy coating that must be removed before eating the cheese. If the wheel has one, remove the wax from each wedge with your fingers or a knife. Discard the liner after removing it.
Step 4. If you want to make a cheese platter or sandwich, slice the Gouda wedges horizontally
Divide each wedge into 4 or 5 horizontal slices of even size. The final part (the one with the hard crust) is instead cut in half vertically to obtain 2 pieces. The rind is edible, so leave it intact during the procedure. If you don't want to consume it, eat the piece of cheese and when you get to the crust, throw it away.
Step 5. Grate the cheese to garnish a dish
Put a grater on a plate or bowl. Grab the Gouda wedge with your hand and gently rub it on the sharp, perforated side of the grater. When you reach the bottom, lift the clove off the grater. Return it to the top of the grater and repeat the process until you have grated the entire clove.
Keep your fingers away from the grater during the procedure
Method 2 of 3: Pair the Gouda
Step 1. Pair Gouda with a light wine with fruity notes
If you prefer white wines, choose a Chardonnay or a Burgundy white to accompany the Gouda. If you prefer red wine, pair the Gouda with a Cabernet-Sauvignon, a Shiraz, a Merlot or a Zinfandel to enhance the taste of the cheese.
Step 2. Pair Gouda with a caramelized beer
The taste of caramel is complementary to the sweet taste of cheese. Amber beer, Brown Ale and Brown Porter go well with Gouda. If it is seasoned, you can also opt for a Sweet Stout.
Step 3. Pair the Gouda with sweet fruit
Make a cheese platter by combining slices of Gouda and peaches. This cheese also goes well with Anjou pears, characterized by a sweet flavor and citrus notes.
Step 4. Slice the Gouda and pair it with wholemeal bread
You could grill sliced Gouda and use it to stuff a wholemeal sandwich. Alternatively, Gouda slices can be used to fill cold sandwiches. You can also add Gouda to a cheese platter and serve it with wholemeal bread. The thick texture of wholemeal bread goes well with this cheese.
Step 5. Garnish the vegetable dishes with grated Gouda
Place the grater on a large bowl and grate the Gouda. When you finish preparing the dish, sprinkle the grated Gouda to garnish it.
Mix grated Gouda with a hot vegetable-based dish to melt it
Method 3 of 3: Make Mac and Cheese with Gouda
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190 ° C and prepare a baking dish
Grease it by sprinkling cooking spray on the inside surface. If you don't have the spray, spread some cooking oil or butter inside the pan using a paper towel.
Step 2. Boil 450g of pipe rigate for 10 minutes
Before throwing in the pasta, add a pinch of salt to the water. While the pasta is cooking, take the opportunity to start preparing the sauce.
If you don't have pipe rigate, use shells or another type of short pasta
Step 3. Cook the cheese sauce in a saucepan over medium heat
In the pot, mix 2 ½ tablespoons of melted butter, 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 ½ cups of milk and ½ teaspoons of salt and pepper. Stir the sauce until you get a smooth consistency.
Step 4. Turn off the gas and add 115g of Gouda to the pot
Mix the cheese with the sauce until it melts.
Step 5. Stir the pasta and sauce in the pan, then bake for 15 minutes
After 15 minutes, take the pasta out of the oven and check if it is cooked well. If it's ready, go ahead and serve it. If not, bake it again for a few more minutes or until it is evenly cooked.
