How To Make Copycat Panera Asiago Cheese Bread
Asiago Cheese Bread has to be one of my greatest weaknesses in the world of carbs! Ive always wanted to bake this bread at home and was given an opportunity that I couldnt say no to. I was contacted by the Asiago Cheese Consortium which represents all Asiago cheese producers from the Asiago plateau in Italy, and that guarantees the quality and authenticity of the product. So this was my perfect chance to learn how to make easy copycat Panera Asiago Cheese Bread.
If there is one restaurant in the United States that I totally love, its Panera Bread. Ever since my first experience and bite of any bread or bagel BACK IN 2001, Ive been a fan! Especially for lunch. And the one item on their menu that I order religiously each and every time I wander into Panera is the Asiago Bagel and/or Bread. So I had to figure out HOW to make easy copycat Panera Asiago Bread and/or bagels!
The gentleman told me that they had been following my blog and Twitter account and asked if I would prepare a recipe using Asiago Cheese PDO . And this is not a cheap imitation cheese rather this is the authentic Asiago and the name and number of the wheel is clear on the packaging.
Asiago Cheese is available in 2 different ways:
Eating Out When Lactose Intolerant
You can still dine out while following a lactose-free diet. Ask your server if theres a guide for the menu that shows you which foods contain milk. Or let your host know which foods youre avoiding. Take a lactase supplement in case dairy ingredients slip in. Eat simply. For example, skip cream sauces and dairy condiments like sour cream.
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Asiago Cheese Everything You Need To Know
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In the year 1000, sheep grazed on Italys Asiago plateau, tended by communities of mountain-dwelling subsistence farmers. Cheesemaking began as a preservation technique these isolated farmers developed their unique style of cheese to help their sheeps milk last longer.
In the 1500s, the plateau realized the introduction of cattle farming, and gradually production shifted to cows milk cheeses. Eventually, in the 1900s, modern techniques allowed these alpine cheesemakers to refine their process for broader markets, and Asiago cheese as we know it was born.
Below weâve created a comprehensive guide to nutty, sour, sweet cheese we all know as Asiago.
Enjoy!
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Health And Nutritional Benefits Of Asiago Cheese
The unique qualities of Asiago cheese contribute to its healthy and nutritional benefits.
This type of cheese is made from low-sodium cows milk, contributing significantly less sodium to the diet.
It also contains a large amount of calcium, which has been known to help prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risks for cardiovascular disease.
This cheese also has a low percentage of fat and is one of the best sources of folic acid.
Asiago cheese is an excellent source of calcium for bone health and is also a good source of protein.
Asiago cheese has less fat than most other cheeses, making it ideal for dieters or those who want to watch their cholesterol levels.
Nutritional content may vary by brand, so read the nutritional information on your favorite Asiago cheese before purchasing.
Mild in flavor with an acidic tang, Asiago cheese is easy to incorporate into any recipe or meal plan.
This type of cheese can be sprinkled over vegetables, added to pasta dishes, served on sandwiches, and in salads and omelets.
Can You Eat Pizza If You Are Lactose Intolerant
Each patient has a different level of intolerance. It is possible to eat pizza without presenting any symptoms, while another person can take some precautionary measures before eating pizza. Cheese is easier to digest, but for some people with severe intolerance, eating pizza can lead to symptoms .
If a patient with this condition continues to take lactose, this will cause irritation and inflammation in their intestine increasingly difficult to cure, leading to cause symptoms beyond the localized in the gastrointestinal system. It happens very often that the patient is not aware of their sickness they think their condition is normal since theyve lived in that way for a certain period of time.
This was a few years ago, however, the situation has advanced considerably. Every day we listen and read more about this topic, and we are even getting used to see in the supermarkets different variants of dairy products, lactose-free products and references to milk intolerance.
The effects and time in which the disease manifests vary depending on each patient of the person´s sensitivity and their tolerance level. There are even people with low tolerance levels who tolerate certain foods with little lactose such as cheeses or yoghurts.
Fortunately, in most cases the treatment consists of suppressing foods that have lactose in the diet and above all, be patient because lactose is everywhere!
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How Is Asiago Cheese Made
Fresh Asiago takes advantage of full-cream cows milk inoculated with bacterial cultures, which must be heated, then coagulated with rennet and cooked briefly.
A cheesemaker then sprinkles the curds with salt and presses them in a mold for two days, followed by two days of soaking in a brine. The young Asiago finishes with a month of flavor development in a cave.
Aged Asiago uses partially skimmed milk and does not go through a pressing step instead, the molded curds are turned repeatedly for several days before undergoing brining.
This aged cheese may spend up to two years in a cave, where cheesemakers carefully turn it and shepherd it to completion.
Asiago Cheese Substitute: Common Alternatives & How To Replace
When considering asiago substitutions, think about whats important for your desired use. For example, is cheese the main ingredient or just added for taste? Is the texture essential, or does it need to melt?
A good Asiago cheese substitute will be something with similar characteristics. The five best high-quality substitutes for Asiago cheese are Grana Padano, Gruyere, Parmesan, Manchego, and Romano Pecorino. You can find these cheeses in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
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Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea.
If you are experiencing these symptoms and you are concerned, talk to your doctor.
It is important not to eliminate dairy foods completely from your diet if lactose intolerance is suspected, as dairy foods are rich sources of nutrients. Some dairy products contain no lactose, and others contain very little. Many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose with minimal symptoms.
What Are Other Hard Cheeses Like Asiago
- Parmagiano-Reggiano, perhaps the best known of all Italian cheeses. While this is sometimes generically referred to as Parmesan within the United States, the two are very different. Parmagiano-Reggiano is a hard cheese that can be eaten or used in recipes in sliced, grated, or chunked form. It is often described as having a fruity or nutty taste.
- Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese that is most often shredded or grated and used in salads, soups, or other recipes. It is sharper, with more of a tangy aftertaste than Asiago. In contrast to other cheeses, Pecorino Romano is made from goat’s milk.
- GranaPadano, a hard cheese with a similarly rich legacy with origins dating back to 12th-century monks. It is rich, tangy, and evokes a slightly nuttier taste.
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Flavor Profile Comparison With Best Substitutes
First thing first, Asiago is a semi-hard Italian cheese made of cow milk. And its produced in the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige region in Italy. It has a fresh version and an aged version, so you need to know which one you are choosing for your recipe. Overall, it tastes sweet, mild with a good hint of savory.
The fresh asiago version is creamier, which is better for pasta or risotto. The aged version is good for sprinkling or grated over dishes.
The best asiago cheese substitute is parmesan cheese. And here is an in-depth article for Asiago vs Parmesan if you really like to grind into detail of why its the top recommended option from me, I also talks about the nutritional differences there.
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Can I Become Lactose Intolerant Over Time
It is fairly common to develop lactose intolerance during adulthood. And if your parents are lactose intolerant, you may be at a higher risk of developing it. Another factor that may influence whether or not you develop lactose intolerance is your ethnic background. People of East Asian descent are likely to develop lactose intolerance as well as people of Jewish, Greek, Italian, Arab, or West African descent. It is quite rare for babies to be lactose intolerant since they depend on milk for all their nutrients. If you suspect you or a loved one is lactose intolerant you can ask your doctor to check using a hydrogen breath test or lactose intolerance test.
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Fresh Asiago Cheese Pdo
Crafted in a territory characterised by mountain ranges and broad valleys, the fresh Asiago cheese PDO by Lattebusche is a soft semi-cooked cheese with a long tradition. It has a delicate taste and melts in your mouth, leaving a sweet aftertaste and a buttery creamy sensation. You wont be able to stop after one bite of this cheese!Lattebusche produces this cheese, carefully checking every step of the production chain. As a matter of fact, the farms belonging to the cooperative members are all located near the manufacturing facilities and allraw products are fully traceable. Controls are continuously carried out to ensure that hygiene rules in the barns are respected and raw milk, semi finished goods and finished products are all monitored through thousands of yearly lab tests in order to create a product whose sensory properties are nothing short of excellent. Try to dice it up and add it to a spring salad with asparagus and speck. melt it over some grilled radicchio or use it to sauce some delicious potato gnocchi. We love it with:
What Is Asiago Cheese Used For
Asiago Cheese can be used as an ingredient in many different recipes, but its especially well-known for its versatility when paired with tomatoes.
Different types of Asiago Cheese can be used in various dishes, but the most common type is a firm aged cheese from cows milk.
The cheese has a rich flavor that makes it perfect in dishes like lasagna or salads.
If youre looking to have some fun experimenting with your cooking skills, try making the traditional Asiago pie by combining flour, water, salt, and eggs before topping it off with grated Asiago Cheese.
You can also try making the more modern take on this dish with some goat cheese, spinach, and bacon.
The cheese can also be used as a topping for many dishes like eggs benedict or even your morning breakfast sandwich.
It pairs well with many different foods as its richness complements spicy dishes like chorizo or enchiladas just as much as it does fresh fruit such as apples or strawberries.
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How Can I Maintain A Balanced Diet
Milk and dairy products are a major source of calcium, an essential nutrient for the growth and repair of bones and teeth throughout life. Calcium is also essential for blood to clot normally, muscles and nerves to function properly, and the heart to beat normally.
People who are lactose-intolerant dont necessarily have to consume milk and dairy products to get the calcium they need to maintain proper nutrition.
If you have trouble consuming enough calcium-rich foods in your daily diet, talk to your healthcare provider or a Registered Dietitian about taking a calcium supplement. The amount of calcium you will need from a supplement will depend on how much calcium you are consuming through food sources.
The following foods contain calcium:
| Food |
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What Is Asiago Cheese
In summary, Asiago cheese in an Italian cows milk cheese which holds a PDO certification. This means, that Asiago cheese is protected by designation of origin much like Parmesan cheese.
On the contrary to Parmesan, Asiago cheese must be solely from the Asiago Plateau from the regions of Veneto as well as Trentino-Alto Adige. The PDO status strictly covers only some parts of four provinces and it is only there where you can find its production. T
hese are: Vicenza, Treviso, Padua and Trento. If you happen to travel into these parts of Northern Italy, you have to try Asiago cheese. It doesnt get any fresher than that!
In addition, Asiago cheese is known as a mountain cheese. This is because it is produced in dairy farms 600 metres above sea level.
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How Do You Store Asiago Cheese
Store both fresh and aged asiago cheese in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in wax or parchment paper. Use fresh Asiago cheese within two weeks of buying it. Store aged Asiago cheese in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Cheese that has spots that are molding can still be used by cutting an inch below the mold with a knife and wrapping it in a fresh piece of parchment or wax paper.
Aged asiago can also be frozen for up to a year, and can be used within a few days of defrosting.
Take Control Of Your Diet
Take control of your meals by brown bagging it rather than struggling to find something that you can eat on a menu. When cooking at home, you can replace milk in recipes with lactose-free milk. You can also buy a cookbook that features lactose-free recipes and start trying them. Many classic recipes can be adapted to fit a lactose-intolerant diet. Control the ingredients that go in the meal and you may be surprised at how much variety you can eat.
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Dairy Foods That Are Naturally Low In Lactose
People with lactose intolerance often avoid eating dairy products.
This is usually because they are concerned that dairy may cause unwanted and potentially embarrassing side effects.
However, dairy foods are very nutritious, and not all of them are high in lactose.
This article explores 6 dairy foods that are low in lactose.
How Asiago Is Made
Fresh Asiago is made using whole milk, while aged Asiago is made from a mixture of whole and skim milk. Both are heated to 95 F before rennet and enzymes are added, forming curds. After being kneaded, the mixture is cooked to a higher temperature . For fresh Asiago, the cheese is then salted and pressed before drying for two days, soaking in a brine for two days, and then dry-aging for about a month. For aged Asiago, the curds are placed in molds and turned several times, which drains off the whey. The cheese is then either soaked in brine or rubbed with salt, and aged for a few months to two years.
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Asiago Cheese Bread Recipe
Thank you to Red Star Yeast for partnering with us for this recipe. As always, all opinions are our own.
The first time I tried Asiago Cheese Bread was the first time I ever stepped inside a Panera Bread. It was probably 17 years ago or soI cant remember for sure. We were newly married and at that time, I didnt know all the wonderful-baked-goodness that was held behind Paneras doors. All I knew was that I had a coupon for a free loaf of bread. And Im all about free food.
I stepped inside the restaurant and gawked at all of the freshly baked breads and sweet treats sitting out. My eyes went to the wall of bread. How do I ever choose just one to try? Then my eyes hit Asiago Cheese Bread. I had never had Asiago before, but I knew what Cheese Bread meant, and I immediately knew what loaf of bread would be coming home with me that day. I also knew that Id need to find a recipe that I could easy make in the comfort of my home.
Fast forward 13 years or so to a few weeks ago when I happened across a recipe for Asiago Cheese Bread. Those memories of my first taste of Panera were fresh in my mind. After a quick trip to the store to buy Asiago cheese, I had this loaf rising in the oven.
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