Dehydrating cheese at home is a healthy way of storing cheese.
Dehydrating or drying cheese is a good way to store and use cheese on a long-term basis. Rather than purchasing commercially-prepared dehydrated or powdered cheese that may contain other additives, you can easily prepare dehydrated cheese at home. You can powder the dehydrated cheese and use it as a mild seasoning over prepared foods such as salads, popcorn, chicken and fish, to lend a delectable cheesy flavor.
Instructions
1. Use hard cheese such as cheddar for dehydrating. This cheese has less moisture and fat compared to soft cheeses. Cut the cheese into several smaller pieces, as thinner slices dehydrate much more quickly than thicker ones. You can also use a grater or food processor to grate the cheese.
2. Cover your dehydrator trays with thick paper towels so they absorb any oil emanating from the cheese. Spread a single layer of the sliced or shredded cheese over the paper-towel covered trays.
3. Switch on the dehydrator and turn it to the temperature setting for cheese mentioned on the user manual. Use a spatula to flip the cheese at regular intervals, so it cooks evenly. Ideally, the dehydrator should be set to a low temperature setting of around 135 degrees Fahrenheit for cheeses.
4. Test the cheese for doneness. The dehydrated cheese should be completely dry and a shade or two darker than it was prior to dehydration. Allow the dehydrated cheese to cool.
5. Powder the dehydrated cheese in a food processor, or store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. This prevents moisture from reducing the shelf-life of the dehydrated cheese.
Tags: dehydrated cheese, cheese home, food processor, temperature setting
