Why does the cheese hard and not gooey when I make it?

Question

When I make a crab or chili dip in the oven, covered in a layer of melted cheddar cheese, the cheese is hard and gross within 10 minutes of being taken out of the oven. When my friend makes hers the cheese is always gooey when it melts and stays that way for the entire party. Why does mine get that way?

Answer 1

you may have your oven set too high. or you could be keeping it in too long. if neither of these things are the problem then try putting the cheese on in the last few minutes before it's supposed to come out. or even putting it on as soon as it's out of the oven and then covering it to let the heat melt it.

on another note cheddar can harden really fast and separate from it's oils. try a mixed cheese. like the 3cheese pizza mixes. or the mexican cheese mixes. mozzerella, monterey jack, and muenster all melt better than cheddar.

Answer 2

Ask her what kind of cheese she uses and use that exact kind. Certain cheeses act differently to heat and low fat cheese does not really melt...

Answer 3

I'm betting your friend uses Velveeta or some other sort-of-cheddar-like-substance.  Ask her.