The Netherlands first discovered Gouda cheese. The cheese is creamy and yellowish in colour. Usually, the cheese is coated in wax to ensure it does not lose its softness.
The contents also include 28% fat and 43% moisture, Qualities that make Gouda cheese soft and easy to melt, making a nice cheesy dipping sauce. Below is how you melt Gouda cheese in the microwave.
How to melt Gouda cheese in the microwave? Separate the Gouda cheese from the wax-coated and Use a kitchen knife to cut the cheese into smaller pieces that are easy to melt. Put the smaller cut cheese pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and place them in the microwave.
Ensure the microwave is at medium temperature, melt the Gouda cheese for 15-second increments as you stir at the end of every 15 seconds, and repeat the process until the cheese has fully melted to your liking.
This article contains a detailed illustration of how to melt Gouda cheese in the microwave. Step-to-step instructions have been provided to make the process straightforward for you. Also, helpful tips have been discussed to help prepare for the melting process. Finally, frequently asked questions have also been discussed at the end of the article.
Important Details to Note Before Melting Gouda Cheese in the Microwave
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Check if the Gouda Cheese has Been Perfectly Stored
You wouldn’t want to melt and use cheese that wasn’t properly stored and could be spoiled already. Gouda cheese should be placed in an airtight container or wrapped in a plastic wrap and then stored in the freezer. It shouldn’t be used unless Gouda cheese had been stored like this.
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Avoid Melting Smoked Gouda
Smoked Gouda will not melt appropriately in the microwave, and this is due to the loss of excess fats and moisture during the smoking process. Gouda might not melt entirely or might not reach the creamiest point you expected without enough moisture. It may form a lumpy grainy cheese sauce.
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Make Use of Either a Non-stick or Cooking Spray
As you melt Gouda cheese, you will notice some residue sticking on the side of the bowl. To prevent this from happening, consider using a nonstick container or bowl. If this is impossible, spray some cooking spray on the bowl you intend to use before placing the chopped pieces of Gouda cheese on it.
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Allow Gouda Cheese to Sit at Room Temperature for a While
Remove the wax coating from Gouda cheese and cut it into smaller pieces. Allow the cheese to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before melting it in the microwave. Letting it sit at room temperature gives the Gouda cheese time to cool and soften, especially since it was stored in the freezer. This makes the melting process easier and faster.
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Do Not be Tempted to Eat the Red Coated Wax
The red coating wax protects the Gouda cheese from losing its moisture. It is not meant for human consumption. Therefore, you are advised to use either a vegetable peeler or a sharp-edged knife to remove it before using the Gouda cheese. Unlike the outer layer of the smoked Gouda cheese that can be eaten.
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Do Not Melt Gouda Cheese at High Power
Always make sure to adjust the microwaving power to low or medium. When Gouda cheese is introduced to extreme heat, it immediately heats up, separating the fat from water and protein, eventually forming lumps and a grainy texture.
Step-by-Step Process of Melting Gouda Cheese in the Microwave
Below are well-stated requirements and a process to guide you when melting Gouda cheese in the microwave.
Requirements
- Vegetable peeler.
- Kitchen knife or grater.
- A microwave-safe bowl.
Step One: Remove the External Wax
Usually, Gouda cheese is dipped into wax when it is still in its semi-firm state. The wax protects the Gouda cheese from losing its moisture.
To remove the wax, one may use a vegetable peeler to peel it off the cheese. The vegetable peeler is perfect since it does not let you peel off huge chunks of cheese.
Step Two: Cut or Shred the Cheese
Use a kitchen knife to cut the cheese into smaller pieces. If not, you may also use a grater to shred the cheese. The smaller the size of the cheese, the faster and easier it will be to melt in the microwave.
Step Three: Place the Gouda Cheese in the Microwave
Transfer the cut pieces or the shredded Gouda cheese to a microwavable bowl. Suppose you are not sure if the bowl is microwave safe; look for a microwave-safe symbol that is usually at the bottom of the container.
To be on the safe side, use a glass bowl if possible. A transparent glass bowl is also perfect, especially if you want to check the progress of the cheese as it melts.
Step Four: Adjust the Microwave Power Settings
Ensure the microwaving power is at 50% or lower. When Gouda cheese is exposed to too much heat, fat is separated from the water and protein, forming several huge lumps instead of melting. Limited power contributes significantly to ensuring the cheese melts gradually but nicely.
Step Five: Melt the Gouda Cheese
With your cheese in the microwave, set a 15 seconds timer. Allow the cheese to melt in 15-second increments. After every interval, use either a wooden spoon or a heat-proof rubber spatula to stir through the cheese.
If possible, keep tilting the bowl from side to side as you stir. Tilting the bowl contributes to the distribution of heat that aids in the melting of the cheese.
How Long it Takes to Melt Gouda Cheese in the Microwave
Gouda cheese melts for about 15 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave. Certain things cause the melting time to vary, for instance, the size of the melting cheese. Cut the cheese into smaller pieces; if not, shred the cheese to fasten the melting process.
The Gouda cheese’s age also contributes to how long it takes to melt. Aged Gouda cheese may take longer to melt compared to a fresh one. This is probably due to loose of some moisture from the aged Gouda cheese.
Also, the type of microwave used to melt Gouda cheese contributes to the duration of melting. The brand that you may own may not be the same brand a friend or neighbour owns, so if your microwave takes about 15 seconds more to melt the cheese, it shouldn’t be an issue to worry about.
Possible Reasons why your Gouda Cheese is not Melting
Are you experiencing some difficulty when melting Gouda cheese? Well, the issue is not new. Gouda cheese may not melt in the microwave despite being cut, sliced, diced, or shredded. Usually, the main reason for this is the lack of moisture in the cheese. Aged cheese has already lost its moisture, a great agent that contributes to the cheese’s ability to melt in the microwave.
The other possible reason is that maybe the cheese is yet to reach its melting point. Gouda cheese’s melting point varies depending on how fresh and soft it is. Fresh Gouda cheese that is still highly moisturized melts at 130°F. A little patience needs to be exercised when you melt aged Gouda cheese. Aged Gouda cheese melts at about 150°F to 180°F.
Faqs On How to Melt Gouda Cheese in the Microwave
Is Gouda a good cheese for melting?
Yes, Gouda is perfect for melting, especially when still fresh and moisturized.
Gouda cheese is made from cow’s milk, and the contents include 28% of fat and 43% of moisture, making it perfect for melting in the microwave. It only takes 15 seconds to 1 minute for the Gouda cheese to melt in the microwave.
Does Gouda cheese melt easily?
The matter of how easy Gouda cheese melts depends on how fresh it is. When Gouda cheese is still fresh, it melts at 130°F. Aged Gouda cheese may melt between 150°F to 180°F. Therefore, one needs to exercise patience when melting Gouda cheese, depending on whether they are melting a fresh Gouda or an aged Gouda.
How do I melt cheese in the microwave?
Cut the cheese into smaller pieces or use a grater and shred it. Allow the cheese to sit at room temperature for 10 t0 20 minutes. Transfer the cheese to a microwavable bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave. Set a 15-second and adjust the microwaving power to medium or lower. Melt the cheese at 15-second increments as you stir. Check out also how to melt Mozzarella cheese.
How do you make Gouda cheese dip?
Take a huge bowl and add sliced Gouda cheese, spinach bacon, cream cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients properly. Season the ingredients with a pinch of garlic and onion powder.
Ensure the oven is preheated to 400 degrees as you continue mixing your ingredients. Transfer your Gouda cheese dip ingredients to a pie dish and bake it for 30 minutes.
How do you melt Gouda cheese for dipping?
Chop the Gouda cheese into smaller pieces; if not, use a grater to shred the cheese into finer particles. Allow the cheese to sit at room temperature for a few minutes, after which you transfer the Gouda cheese to a microwave-safe bowl.
Place the bowl in the microwave and, at medium temperature, melt the cheese in 15-second increments. Ensure to use the Gouda cheese for dipping while still hot; after cooling, it hardens.
How do you make Gouda cheese for fondue?
Place some Gouda cheese on a saucepan and place the pan on a stove. Heat the Gouda at moderate heat for at least 15 minutes as the sauce simmers.
Keep whisking until the entire Gouda cheese melts. Place a fine sieve set over a fondue pot and strain the cheese sauce.
Is Gouda cheese good for nachos?
Yes, Gouda cheese works pretty well with the rest of the nachos ingredients to give you spectacular results.
For instance, spread some tortilla chips on a baking powder and top them with sliced or shredded Gouda cheese. Bake them for a few minutes until the Gouda cheese melts, then top with green onions, tomatoes, lettuce, chorizo, and beans.
Which cheese melts better, Gouda or Cheddar?
Cheddar cheese is believed to be better than Gouda cheese. Cheddar cheese producers are believed not to age their cheese, unlike Gouda cheese, which has aged cheese that takes longer to melt when heated. You can check on how to melt cheddar cheese in this article.
Does Gouda melt on grilled cheese?
Yes, it does. Since Gouda cheese melts at low temperature, it will not find and difficult to melt on grilled cheese.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gouda cheese melts fine in the microwave. In 15 seconds to 1 minute, you will have your melted Gouda cheese. Fresh Gouda cheese melts at 130°F while aged Gouda cheese melts between 150°F and 180°F.
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