Yellow and red peels are used for younger Gouda cheese, while black signifies a more aged selection.
Gouda cheese has a sharp taste to it and is best served with fruity wines. Also known as "the golden wheel" cheese, Gouda is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that hardens further with age. It is named for the city of Gouda in the Netherlands where it originated. Slicing it can be difficult due to the tough outer peel that it is packaged in. Having a good, sharp utility knife or cheese knife will help you in the process.
Instructions
1. Remove the cheese from the refrigerator well before you need it, about an hour. Because this type of cheese softens as it warms up, make sure that you remove it prior to preparing it for your guests.
2. Cut a pie-shaped wedge from the wheel. Secure the cheese with your nondominant hand and hold the utility or cheese knife in your other hand. Start at the center of the wheel and make a cut down and out towards the edge. Make the same type of cut at the different angle to create a wedge, just as you would to serve pie.
3. Remove the peel covering from the portion you are planning to serve. Carefully place your knife under the peel covering at the point of the wedge. Gently pull up on the peel until you can grasp it with your fingertips. Remove the rest of the peel and discard it.
4. Continue cutting the wedge into pie-shaped pieces. Continue cutting the wedge in the same manner, creating smaller wedges that are conducive to serving, about a quarter to half inch at their thickest point. Place the pieces on a serving platter for your guests.
5. Wrap any unused portion of the cheese and place it back in the refrigerator. Use plastic wrap to completely cover any unused portion of cheese, making sure it is airtight. Place the cheese back into the refrigerator until you need it again.
Tags: cheese knife, Continue cutting, Continue cutting wedge, cutting wedge, Gouda cheese