Juustoleipa

cookies for anyone who can pronounce that name...YOO-sto-lay-bah. what is it, you might ask? cheese!

Soon to be produced locally by Cozy Corner Country Store http://www.cozycorner.org/ this is a specialty in Finland. The curds are drained and pressed into a flat, wooden platter with a rim. Then it is placed in front of the fire until the outer layer is "toasted". Then the cheese looks like bread and that's why it got its name which means "cheese bread".

Juustoleipa is usually served as a dessert with cream and cloudberry jam. This is a specialty that can be served as an appetizer or a dessert to wow your guests. I served this cheese, for the Baldwin Brass http://www2.baldwinbrasscenter.com/demo, on whole wheat naan with my sun dried tomato pesto and with my homemade blueberry & raspberry jam.

this cheese will hold a shape when heated. I liked using a grill pan for the grill lines. It is best when served warm, my opinion only.

Here are some ways to get creative:

• drizzle with honey and crushed pistachio for dessert


• cut in triangles add a fig puree and walnuts and wrap in fillo dough then drizzle with honey


• serve with strawberries and biscuits


• tasty with a sweet quince jam


• serve with a savory like a thick pesto or thinned with olive oil. olive tapinade...how about lemon juice and zest with fresh cracked pepper...