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Torta del Casar al horno
Baked sheep's cheese with garlic
Torta del Casar al horno: Extremadura's runny sheep's cheese, warmed whole with garlic and rosemary for dipping
Torta del Casar is made in Casar de Cáceres and the surrounding plains from raw merino sheep's milk, curdled not with animal rennet but with the dried flower of a wild thistle, so it suits many vegetarians. When ripe, the rind holds a centre so soft it is eaten with a spoon, and in Cáceres bars a whole torta comes warm from the oven with its lid cut off, surrounded by bread for dipping. It is a cheese for sharing at the start of a long dinner. Because it is made from unpasteurised milk, it is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system unless heated until steaming hot all through. Chef's tip: take the cheese out of the fridge an hour ahead so it warms evenly.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb Torta del Casar cheese1 whole torta, at room temperature
- 1 clove garlicthinly sliced
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 loaf crusty breadsliced and toasted
- 10 ½ oz cherry tomatoes, radishes or boiled baby potatoes (optional)for dipping
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). With a small sharp knife, cut a circle in the top rind of the 1 ⅛ lb Torta del Casar cheese about 1.5 cm in from the edge and lift it off like a lid.
3 minStep 2: Set the cheese in a small ovenproof dish that holds it snugly. Push the 1 clove garlic slices and a few 1 sprig fresh rosemary needles into the soft cheese and drizzle with the 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
2 minStep 3: Bake for 10–15 minutes until the centre is bubbling at the edges and steaming hot, and the cheese quivers when you shake the dish. A common mistake is leaving it in too long: the cheese splits, turns oily and loses its creamy texture.
15 minStep 4: Dust with the 1 pinch smoked paprika (pimentón de la Vera) and bring it to the table at once with the toasted 1 loaf crusty bread and 10 ½ oz cherry tomatoes, radishes or boiled baby potatoes for scooping.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 20 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does torta del Casar al horno take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of smoked paprika (pimentón de la vera)?
- Sweet paprika + a pinch of chipotle or a drop of liquid smoke.
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