What Can I Do With Leftover Mascarpone Cheese
If you use mascarpone cheese every so often, you may find that you have too much of it, most of which is approaching the expiration date. If you know you're not going to use whatever package you have left, you may want to consider freezing it.
Of course, much like with any other cheese, you'll have to take some extra precautions, but that really shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Can You Freeze Mascarpone Cheese?
We're not the only ones having this type of issue after we buy too much mascarpone cheese than the recipe requires. Here's a message we received from one of our readers.
Q. Every special occasion, I make a traditional Italian dessert that uses mascarpone cheese as an ingredient. I buy a small tub of it, but always end up with some mascarpone cheese left over from the recipe. I don't use it very often, but would like to keep the leftovers to use in desserts throughout the year if I could. I have thought about freezing it, but my mother insists that it would ruin the cheese. Mascarpone is fairly expensive, so I wouldn't want to waste money by freezing it just to see it ruined. Can you freeze mascarpone cheese?
Here's where momma got it wrong! Don't tell your mother I said so, but she is incorrect. You can freeze mascarpone cheese without ruining it, and then use it successfully in any type of recipe you prefer.
Mascarpone cheese is a thick, spreadable-type Italian cheese that has a mild flavor and is often used in desserts. Its creamy texture is what makes it so special, so it's important when freezing it to try and preserve as much of the original texture as possible. It's imperative that you take every precaution to avoid freezer burn. Be aware that mascarpone's high-fat content will lead it to separate somewhat during the freezing process, and you will have to do a bit of work to bring it back to its original creaminess.
How to Freeze Mascarpone Cheese?
Freezing mascarpone cheese is fairly simple and you just have to follow a few instructions to get it right.
- First, start with the freshest cheese possible.
- Give the cheese a good stir to make sure there isn't any separated liquid when you freeze it.
- Next, scoop the mascarpone cheese into freezer bags or hard-sided freezer-safe containers.
- If using freezer bags, be sure not to place anything heavy on top of the cheese.
- Seal the bag or container, then label and date it.
Mascarpone cheese should only be kept frozen for a few months.
How to Keep Mascarpone Cheese for Longer?
If you want to make sure that your mascarpone cheese will preserve its flavor and have a longer freezer life, you may want to use a food saver. These devices take out all the air inside the containers and perfectly seal the package, extending the life of the mascarpone cheese.
One of our favorite devices to use is FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine which works with an array of containers, including bags between 8 and 11 inches. It will end up saving you money and time in the long run.
How to Thaw Mascarpone Cheese?
To use frozen mascarpone cheese, it's important to allow it to thaw out in the fridge. Remove the cheese from the freezer at least 8-12 hours before you plan to use it. It's unsafe to thaw dairy products at room temperature.
Once the cheese has thawed completely, spoon it into a good-sized bowl. The cheese will probably have separated and may have a bit of a grainy texture. Using a whisk or hand beaters, whip the cheese until it reincorporates and regains its former texture. Now the cheese is ready to use in your favorite recipes. One of our favorite recipes to use mascarpone cheese in is this pumpkin cake that also features sugared pecans. Simply delicious!
What Can I Do With Leftover Mascarpone Cheese
Source: https://www.diys.com/mascarpone-cheese/