I learned of leipäjuusto through my first Finnish tutor. I like to learn about different culture’s foods, and since I am learning Finnish, it seemed like a good idea. However in my small rural town there was no way I would ever find it in stores. So I learned to make it myself, translating several recipes from Finnish into English. I had varying degrees of success.
I volunteer at a food bank, and we had a small box of these to give out. I traded all of my volunteer rations (for volunteering we are allowed to take food as thanks. This was the only thing I took today) for extra of these.
This was my third attempt. From my notes it still needs work, but is getting better.
Here is some with puolukka hillo
The mighty leipäjuusto played a part in bringing me and my wife together. First date at mine I made palak paneer (Indian spinach number) with leipäjuusto in place of Indian cottage cheese. Later she has told that the dish closed the deal as far as she was concerned 😄
I make both paneer and leipäjuusto and have used leipäjuusto in place of paneer in my paneer lunch wraps, but since it is much more difficult to make than paneer I do not do that often.
It is always neat how little things can bring a couple together for life. Such as an episode of Pinky and the Brain for my wife and I.