What are some tips for melting cheese?
Be watchful when melting cheese. If cheese is heated at too high a temperature or for too long, it may become tough, rubbery or stringy, and refuse to melt. To melt cheese, use a low temperature for a short time. Some cheeses like process American readily melt. Dry cheeses like Parmesan, if finely grated, melt better than higher moisture cheeses. Generally, lowfat cheeses are more suitable for serving cold than using in cooked dishes. Tips to help melt cheese include: • Shred, grate or cut cheese into small pieces. • Add cheese topping to food at the end of baking or broiling, or just heat long enough to melt. • When making a sauce, add cheese as the last ingredient and heat just until melted. • To soften cheese in the microwave oven, remove wrapper and place cheese on a microwave-safe plate. Timing will vary according to desired softness and microwave conditions.
