Cream Cheese Cooking Tips

To get the best from your cooking using cream cheese, here are a few tips that will see you using cream cheese in your recipes a whole lot easier. The following tips

How to Soften Cream Cheese:

Place a completely unwrapped package of block cream cheese, either regular or light cream cheese, in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds or just until softened. Add 15 seconds for each additional block of cream cheese. Alternately, leave your cream cheese, wrapped, out at room temperature for about an hour before using.

How to Safely Store Cream Cheese-Frosted Cakes:

Cakes filled and/or frosted with cream cheese icing should be stored in the refrigerator. But you knew that already ;) Freezing is not recommended.

How to store a block of Cream Cheese:

Cream cheese in a block can easily go to waste if not stored correctly. It is easy to store your block cream cheese by simply keeping it in your refrigerator. For blocks that have been opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap. Freezing is not recommended.

Lower Fat Options:

To make your cheesecake that little bit lower in fat, replace your regular cream cheese with a block of light cream cheese, try margarine suitable for cooking instead of butter, swap full fat biscuits for low fat ones, and serve decorated with fresh fruit. Delicious on the lips AND lighter on the hips!

To get the same great cheesecake result using a lower fat option remember these tips:

For a non bake or chilled cheesecake add an extra 1 teaspoon of gelatine dissolved in an extra 1 tablespoon of water to the recipe.

For a baked cheesecake add an extra 1 teaspoon of flour, cornflour or custard powder to the recipe.

Cream Cheese Sauces:

When there’s cream cheese in the fridge, making an ordinary meal extraordinary with a delicious creamy sauce is easy. Make pasta, chicken, fish – whatever’s on the menu – even yummier in a flash (or, more likely, a saucepan).

• Creamy Pasta Sauce
Who said creamy sauces have to be taboo? Heat equal amounts of a spreadable light cream cheese and milk, stirring until melted and smooth. If you like, add some Parmesan cheese and/or dried (or fresh) herbs such as basil or oregano. Delicious!

• Creamy Cucumber Sauce for Salmon
Heat 3/4 cup skim milk with 1/2 cup spreadable light cream cheese (plain or Garlic & Herb, your call), stirring until melted and smooth. Add about 1/2 cup diced cucumber and 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill. Divine…

There's hardly a thing in your pantry or fridge that can't be transformed with simple cream cheese recipes, so why not experiment?