Glögg Ost: The Ultimate Guide to a Holiday Tradition
Glögg Ost: The Ultimate Guide to a Holiday Tradition
What is Glögg Ost?
Glögg ost is a Scandinavian dessert that is traditionally served during the holiday season. It is a soft, creamy cheese that is typically flavored with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. The cheese is often served with crackers or fruit, and it can also be used as an ingredient in other desserts, such as pies and cakes.
The History of Glögg Ost
The history of glögg ost dates back to the 16th century. The cheese was first created in Sweden, and it quickly became a popular dessert throughout Scandinavia. The cheese was originally made with goats milk, but today it is more commonly made with cows milk.
The Benefits of Glögg Ost
Glögg ost is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamins. It is also a low-fat cheese, which makes it a good choice for people who are watching their weight.
How to Make Glögg Ost
Glögg ost is a relatively easy cheese to make. The following recipe will yield about 1 pound of cheese:
* 1 gallon of milk (whole or low-fat)
* 1 tablespoon of vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon of salt
* 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom
1. Pour the milk into a large pot and heat it over medium heat.
2. Once the milk is hot, add the vinegar and stir until the milk curdles.
3. Let the milk curdle for 10 minutes, or until the whey (the liquid part of the milk) has separated from the curds (the solid part of the milk).
4. Line a colander with cheesecloth and pour the curds into the colander.
5. Let the curds drain for 30 minutes, or until most of the whey has drained off.
6. Transfer the curds to a bowl and add the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
7. Mix the curds until they are well combined.
8. Form the curds into a ball and place it in a cheesecloth-lined mold.
9. Weight the cheese down with a heavy object and let it press for 12 hours.
10. Remove the cheese from the mold and let it age for at least 2 weeks before eating.
Tips for Making Glögg Ost
* For a creamier cheese, use whole milk.
* For a sharper cheese, use low-fat milk.
* The amount of vinegar you add will affect the firmness of the cheese. The more vinegar you add, the firmer the cheese will be.
* If you dont have a cheesecloth-lined mold, you can use a colander lined with a clean dish towel.
* To weight the cheese down, you can use a heavy object, such as a brick or a can of food.
* The cheese will be ready to eat after 2 weeks of aging. However, the flavor will continue to improve if you age it for longer.
Variations on Glögg Ost
There are many different variations on glögg ost. Some popular variations include:
* Adding fruit to the cheese, such as raisins, cranberries, or cherries.
* Adding nuts to the cheese, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
* Using different spices to flavor the cheese, such as ginger, cloves, or allspice.
* Making the cheese into a spread by adding cream cheese or sour cream.
Serving Glögg Ost
Glögg ost can be served in a variety of ways. It can be served as an appetizer with crackers or fruit. It can also be used as an ingredient in other desserts, such as pies and cakes.
Glögg Ost Recipes
There are many different recipes for glögg ost. Here is a simple recipe for a traditional glögg ost:
Ingredients:
* 1 gallon of milk (whole or low-fat)
* 1 tablespoon of vinegar
* 1/2 teaspoon of salt
* 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom
Instructions:
1. Pour the milk into a large pot and heat it over medium heat.
2. Once the milk is hot, add the vinegar and stir until the milk curdles.
3. Let the milk curdle for 10 minutes, or until the whey has separated from the curds.
4. Line a colander with cheesecloth and pour the curds into the colander.
5. Let the curds drain for 30 minutes, or until most of the whey has drained off.
6. Transfer the curds to a bowl and add the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
7. Mix the curds until they are well combined.
8. Form the curds into a ball and place it in a cheesecloth-lined mold.
9. Weight the cheese down with a heavy object and let it press for 12 hours.
10. Remove the cheese from the mold and let it age for at least 2 weeks before eating.
Conclusion
Glögg ost is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It is a popular dessert during the holiday season, and it is also a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamins. If you are looking for a new cheese to try, I encourage you to give glögg ost a try. You wont be disappointed!
