Category: Cheese Recipes
Baked Cheese Recipes: Our Top 5
Did you know that you can bake cheese? It’s a delicious way to eat our favorite food, especially at this time of year when we’re waiting for spring to arrive. We’ve put together 5 great baked cheese recipes. Read on to find out which cheeses bake best.
1. Camembert
Camembert is a surface-ripened cow’s milk cheese. It’s soft and creamy, with a pungent aroma. You’ll normally buy it in a wooden box. Start by unwrapping the cheese and making sure that any stickers have been removed. Replace it into its box. Make several cuts in the top of the cheese and add some garlic cloves and rosemary. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey.
Serve with baguettes and crudites for everyone to dip in the melted goodness!
2. Raclette
Whilst you can serve raclette cheese at the table using a tabletop grill, you can also easily bake it in the oven. Simply put your cheese into a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and any flavorings that you want to add such as herbs, garlic or spices. Bake it at 400F for around 8 minutes or until it is golden and bubbling. Serve it with a fruity white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc for a real treat.
3. Feta
You might not have thought to bake feta before, but it’s delicious! One of the simplest ways to bake it is to place the whole block of feta on a baking sheet, drizzle over 1tbsp of olive oil and the juice of a lemon, along with 1 crushed garlic clove and 1tsp oregano. Grind some black pepper on the top and put it in the oven at 400F for 5 minutes. It will start to brown at the edges, but no more as then it will dry out. You can serve this mixed into pasta or over roasted vegetables such as zucchinis, tomatoes, and peppers.
4. Goat’s Cheese
Goat’s cheese with a rind bakes very well as it melts slightly while retaining it’s lovely, creamy texture. Try baking it in the oven at 400F for 5 minutes. Serve it on a salad of bitter leaves, tomatoes, and olives with a lemony dressing. A light white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio, would work well with this dish.
5. Blue Cheese
Did you know that you can bake blue cheese? Place a good wedge of cheese in a baking tray, using a knife to make a few holes around the cheese. Pop it in the oven at 400F for 10 to 15 minutes. This will create a melted blue cheese dip, perfect for slathering onto bread or pouring over a salad. You could even use it as a dip for chips!
Have you tried baking cheese? Let us know which of our baked cheese recipes is your favorite in the comments below.
How to Use Different Cheeses as Pizza Toppings
After our recipe for great pizza, we decided to show you different ways to use cheese as a pizza topping. Whilst you might always put the same cheese on your pizza, there are so many different ones to try. You can combine them with other toppings to create endless possibilities.
It’s the absolute classic pizza topping. Serve mozzarella simply with tomato sauce and fresh basil. Make sure that you grate it evenly to create the delicious, cheesy effect. If you want to create a really special pizza, drizzle pesto over the top and add some arugula after baking.
Gruyère originated in the Alpine region between Switzerland and France in the eleventh century. Pop gruyère cheese on a pizza with ham and garlic. It’s like the croque monsieur of pizza toppings! You could even try gruyère on a white pizza, using bechamel or a creamy garlic sauce instead of tomato. If you haven’t tried this before then we urge you to give it a go. It works especially well with green vegetables like spinach and asparagus. You could even go Florentine style and add an egg on top!
Blue cheese is a perfect salty pizza topping. Pair it with bacon or red onions for an exciting pairing. Our Danish blue cheese would also be delicious with other cheeses too. Find your perfect four cheese pizza and let us know what it is in the comments. This is certainly a grown-up pizza idea, so serve it with a bold glass of red wine.
Spicy Cheese
Try our super hot ghost pepper cheese to add an extra kick to your pizza. Try it with fresh chilies and pepperoni if you’re feeling spicy. You could cool it down with some vegetables or a sour cream dressing. You could even try adding ground beef with spices to create a taco flavored pizza!
Manchego is a Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a rich, tangy taste. Try it as a pizza topping with olives or sundried tomatoes. Add lots of herbs for extra flavor – try oregano, rosemary or basil.
Lucerne Cheese has a light and smooth flavor, but is low in sodium and fat. We recommend pairing it with your favorite vegetables. You might not always think of putting vegetables on a pizza but it’s a great option and a way to create a fresher pizza than the average toppings. Our favorites are peppers, courgettes and sweetcorn. You can even try something more unusual like roasted eggplant, artichokes or broccoli.
Next time you have a pizza party, make your own dough, put out some unusual cheeses, and you are sure to impress your guests. Even if you’re not having a party – this is sure to make for a fun Friday night in!
We hope that you have enjoyed these pizza topping ideas and that you’ll love trying something new. Let us know what you’ve tried in the comments.
Love Cheese? Then You’ll Love These Cheese Desserts!
If you love cheese as much as we do, then you’re probably already eating it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But have you tried cheese desserts? Read on to find out how you can add cheese to every course of your meal for delicious fun.
1. Cheesecake
This is the classic. When you saw ‘cheese desserts’ your mind probably went straight to cheesecake. It’s a classic for a reason; delicious, easy to make, and a crowd pleaser, cheesecake has a place in all of our hearts. Try experimenting with different biscuits for your base, add flavors to the cheese or even create a glaze to go on the top. The possibilities really are endless!
2. Fritters
Soft cheeses like ricotta make delicious fritters. Combine it with orange and honey in this recipe to create a sweet treat. You can even keep the leftovers and serve them for breakfast!
3. Cake with Goat’s Cheese Frosting
You’ve tried cream cheese frosting on carrot cake, but you can take this to the next level with an apple cake and goat’s cheese frosting. Apple is often combined with cheese because it has just the right acidity and this cake is no exception. Try the recipe here.
4. Dessert Pizza
We love pizza and we love dessert, but have you combined the two?
Try topping puff pastry with a spreadable cheese like mascarpone and delicious fruits like peaches or raspberries. You could even whip up a pizza dough and top it with chocolate spread and marshmallows for a rocky road style dessert pizza. You can find more inspiration here.
5. Cookies and whoopie pies
Instead of sandwiching your cookies or whoopie pies with buttercream, try mascarpone or ricotta. This works especially well with caramel flavors. Trust us, you’ll be convinced!
6. Parmesan pound cake
Are you always on the hunt for a great pound cake recipe? This one is a little bit unusual, with the addition of parmesan, but you’re sure to have fun asking your friends to guess what the secret ingredient is.
7. Rhubarb and ricotta
You might usually think of turning rhubarb into a pie or a cobbler. Instead, simply stew it down and then serve it with a spoonful of ricotta on top. The creaminess of the cheese cuts through the tart fruit; it’s a perfect combination.
8. Strawberries and mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella pairs beautifully with the sweetness of strawberries. Stew the strawberries down and simply spoon them over mozzarella. You can add black pepper or basil to the dish, although you might find that this strays too far from the realms of dessert.
9. Apple Pies with Cheddar
Cheddar and apple is a well-known combination on a cheeseboard, but you can also use cheddar in your apple pies. There are several ways to add the cheese but our favorite is to mix some into the pastry and then grate some over the crust before it goes in the oven.
10. Dessert Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese can be sweet or savoury. Try brioche with brie and raspberry for a great dessert. Serve it up at a party to wow your guests!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of cheese desserts! Which would you try making? Let us know in the comments?
How to Create 3 Different Baked Cheeses
We’re always looking for new ways to serve cheeses. A cheeseboard is great, but sometimes you want a showstopping centerpiece to kick off a meal. Enter the baked cheese!
Read on to find out about how to bake three different cheeses and start your next dinner party (or just a fun night in) with a bang.
1. Camembert
Camembert is a surface-ripened cow’s milk cheese. It’s soft and creamy, with a pungent aroma. You’ll normally buy it in a wooden box. Start by unwrapping the cheese and making sure that any stickers have been removed. Replace it in its box. Make several cuts in the top of the cheese and add some garlic cloves and rosemary. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey.
All you need to serve this are some slices of good bread, but you could also serve breadsticks and crudités. Gather everyone around and dip into the cheese. Don’t worry about the mess; it’s all part of the fun!
2. Raclette
Whilst you can serve raclette cheese at the table using a tabletop grill, you can also easily bake it in the oven. Simply put your cheese into a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and any flavorings that you want to add such as herbs, garlic or spices. Bake it at 400F for around 8 minutes or until it is golden and bubbling.
You can serve this right up at the table with bread, boiled potatoes, sliced veg, salads or seafood. You could even serve pasta or steak at the same time. Raclette will work well with almost anything that you can think of. Serve it with a fruity white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc to make a real dinner party impression.
3. Feta
You might not have thought to bake feta before, but it’s delicious!
Feta is a sheep’s milk cheese from Greece. It is submerged in brine with gives it a salty, tangy taste. One of the simplest ways to bake it is to place the whole block of feta on a baking sheet, drizzle over 1tbsp of olive oil and the juice of a lemon, along with 1 crushed garlic clove and 1tsp oregano. Grind some black pepper on the top and put it in the oven at 400F for 5 minutes. It will start to brown at the edges, but no more as then it will dry out.
You can serve this in the middle of the table with some bread or alongside a salad. It’s even great broken up and stirred into pasta. You can experiment with the herbs and spices you add – chili, oregano, thyme, and sumac all work fantastically, but you can find your favorites. Another great variation is to surround the feta with tomatoes so that they roast at the same time. Serve this with a salad and you’ve got a perfect lunch.
So, you now have three baked cheeses to try out. Let us know which ones you loved in the comments!
5 Ways to Make Your Mac and Cheese Sensational
Today we’re sharing our favorite mac and cheese ideas. It’s one of the nation’s favorite foods, and for a good reason. Ooey, gooey cheese combined with delicious pasta make a comforting dish that can serve as an entree or a side.
As cheese lovers, we certainly know our way around mac and cheese. Read on to find out our top ideas for making it extra special.
1. Combine cheeses
You probably always use the same cheese when you make mac and cheese. Try something different to add new flavors and even more cheesiness. Some of our favorites to add are gruyere, for added nutty flavor, and mozzarella, for that extra melty goodness. You could also try bacon cheese or some of our spicy cheeses like hot habanero cheddar.
2. Add a topping
You might always sprinkle cheese on top, for those cripsy melted edges, but there are other ways to top your mac and cheese. Breadcrumbs, or even crushed up chips, can add another dimension to the dish. Crumbled up bacon will add saltiness and crunch. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a smoky element. Sliced chives or green onions will give your dish freshness. You can be creative with your toppings and find your family’s favorites.
3. Extra ingredients
You might have seen restaurants serving lobster or truffle mac and cheese. These are certainly decadent treats, but you don’t have to splash out to improve your mac and cheese at home. If you want to get more vegetables into your diet, try adding steamed asparagus, roasted squash or pumpkin, spinach or leafy greens. You can even stir pureed cauliflower or broccoli through your sauce to pack in some extra nutrients.
Seafood can work well, but it doesn’t have to be lobster. Crab meat and prawns are excellent stirred into a mac and cheese, but you could also add mussels on top.
Bacon, sausages, chorizo, bologna, and ham can add flavor and texture. You could even add chicken for more protein.
Spices are great for changing the flavor of your mac and cheese. Chilli and herbs are the classics, but horseradish can give it a great kick. You could even stir some pesto in for that Italian flavor!
4. Use sauces and condiments
Hot sauce, BBQ sauce, pickles and ketchup are all great toppings for your mac and cheese. Load up the table with different sauces and everyone can personalize their dish to their taste.
5. Really make the effort with the sauce
You might have never made a cheese sauce before, but it couldn’t be more simple. Trust us! All you’ll need is butter, flour, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper. Once you’ve made a sauce from scratch you won’t go back, and everyone will be clamoring for your recipe.
So, there you have it. Five ways to make your mac and cheese truly sensational. Which one will you try? How do you like to make mac and cheese? Let us know in the comments!
How to Serve Raclette
If you’re anything like us here at Shisler’s Cheese House, you love entertaining. We’re always looking for great new ways to share food and fun with our friends and family.
If you haven’t had a Raclette dinner party yet, then today we’re here to tell you why this might be your next big hit.
What is Raclette?
Raclette (ra-klet) is a semi-firm, salted cheese made from cow’s milk. It originated in the Swiss canton of Valais, but is today also produced in the French regions of Savoie and Franche-Comté.
The term raclette derives from the French racler, meaning “to scrape”. Raclette cheese is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners’ plates.
What is the history of Raclette?
Raclette is mentioned in medieval writings and was then known in the German-speaking part of Switzerland as Bratchäs, or “roasted cheese.” Traditionally, the Swiss cow herders used to take the cheese with them into the mountains. They would cook it by the campfire and scrape it onto bread.
How can we enjoy it at a dinner party?
These days, you don’t have to go into the mountains or start an open fire to enjoy Raclette around the dinner table. Electric table-top grills with small pans make the job of melting the cheese easy and fun. Each guest fills their small pan, known as a coupelles, with cheese and melts it before adding it to their plate.
What should it be served with?
This is where you can let your imagination run wild! Anything that you think might be delicious with cheese could be tried, but there are some classics that are essential for a Raclette party:
- Small boiled potatoes
- Sliced vegetables including carrots, peppers, celery, mushrooms and any other favourites
- Sliced fresh bread
- Meats or seafood
Whilst the cheese is melting in the coupelles, guests can cook their meat or seafood to their liking on the top of the grill. They can even throw the vegetables on to cook them slightly or crisp the potatoes up. The beauty of this is that everyone can select what they would like to eat and how they would like to eat it.
You can also serve apple slices, to cut through the sweetness, and other treats that you might usually serve with cheese.
Could I serve other cheeses?
Certainly! Let guests experiment with Raclette cheese, gouda and gruyere. They can find their favorite combinations.
What drinks should I serve with Raclette?
A white wine is a great choice to pair with Raclette. A Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or Pinot Grigio would all work well. You could also serve a light wheat ale or a fruity Pinot Noir for red wine lovers.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some supplies and you could be hosting the dinner party that will have all your friends hoping for a second invite!
How do you serve your Raclette? What are your top dinner party tips? Let us know in the comments!
5 Ways to Take Your Grilled Cheese to the Next Level
It’s one of the nation’s favorites: the grilled cheese.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve tried a lot of grilled cheeses. You’ve probably already decided whether you like to butter your bread on both sides (we’re firmly in the yes camp!). You might have found your favorite cheese or chosen the ultimate bread. Well today, we’re going to show you how to take your grilled cheese to the next level with some clever additions and changes.
1. Add fruit
We absolutely love a sweet and savory combo! Adding fruit to your grilled cheese is an incredible way to add sweetness. You might want to choose a cheese based on the fruit that you’re going to use. Blueberries with mascarpone, peaches with gouda, apple butter with pepper jack, and strawberries with mozzarella are all great combinations. You could even create a Hawaiian pizza inspired grilled cheese with ham and pineapple.
2. Go for different bread
You might have found your favorite loaf, but that doesn’t mean you need to always reach for it. Have you tried brioche bread for your grilled cheese? It gets an incredible caramelization from its high sugar content. You could also try bagels! Even croissants work really well. Donuts and pound cake are an extra decadent addition to a sweet grilled cheese. Trust us, get creative and try a different bread for your grilled cheese this week.
3. Add pickles and relishes
Some of you will be purists who want the cheesiest grilled cheese that they can find, but we’re pretty partial to a good pickle in our sandwiches. It cuts through the richness and will pack a flavour punch at the same time. A spoonful of mustard can also work wonders with the right cheese.
4. Top it with a fried egg
Whether you like yours over easy or sunny side up, you won’t be sorry that you topped your grilled cheese with a fried egg. It does mean that you’ll have to use a knife and fork to dig in, rather than picking it up, but that’s a small sacrifice to make for the perfect combination of bread, melted cheese, and oozing egg yolks.
5. Go wild
We know that there’s a combination that you’ve dreamed of but haven’t dared to try. Now is the time! You want a mac and grilled cheese? You got it! Want to put crushed up pretzels inside? It sounds like a great idea! You want to grill chocolate and cheese between slices of cake? Go for it!
However you make your grilled cheese, we want you to love it. Pop into Shisler’s Cheese House to pick up your favorite cheeses and condiments.
Tell us about your grilled cheese inspiration in the comments!
3 Uses for Mozzarella – Let’s Try Homemade Cheese Today!
As regular readers will know, we’re huge fans of sharing fantastic cheese recipes with you.
If you’re needing some fresh to pep up your January, there’s nothing better than our homemade mozzarella. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and you can make it at home. Even better, once you’ve made some delicious mozzarella, you get to eat it!
Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese. Due to its high moisture content, it is traditionally served the day after it is made, but can be kept in brine for up to a week in the fridge.
Derived from the Neapolitan dialect spoken in Campania, mozzarella is the diminutive form of mozza (“cut”) or mozzare (“to cut off”) derived from the method of working. The term is first mentioned in 1570, cited in a cookbook by Bartolomeo Scappi, reading “milk cream, fresh butter, ricotta cheese, fresh Mozzarella, and milk”.
You probably already have some favorite mozzarella recipes, but we hope our ideas will inspire you to make some cheese today.
1. On a pizza
We know this isn’t a new idea, but if you’ve never made pizza at home then now is definitely the time to give it a go. Pizza dough is really easy to make and if you get yourself a pizza stone you will be able to enjoy the crispy base you love without even leaving the house.
You only need a little mozzarella, to stop the dough from becoming soggy, and then you add your favorite toppings. You could even put some mozzarella on the edges of the pizza and roll over the dough to make your own stuffed crust. Invite your friends over for a pizza party and they’re sure to marvel at your homemade cheese.
2. In a fruity salad
Whilst you might always think of having mozzarella in a Caprese salad with tomatoes, its creaminess is the perfect accompaniment to a salad with fruits.
Combine mozzarella with figs and green beans, oranges and arugula, or peaches and basil for a great pick-me-up salad. All of these will go perfectly with ham or bacon. Get creative and try your own combinations, too.
3. In a burger
No, we don’t mean in a bun with your burger, we actually mean in a burger. This is another recipe to try at home if you’ve never had a go before. Patties can be made simply out of ground beef, bread crumbs, an egg and salt and pepper. But next time you make them, roll a small piece of mozzarella into the middle. When they cook, the cheese will melt inside and will ooze deliciousness with every bite.
Make sure to fill your bun with your favorite salad and relishes for real perfection.
If you’re looking for a wine pairing for mozzarella, a fruity Sauvignon Blanc will work perfectly with the mild freshness of the cheese. If you prefer red wine, the cherry flavors of Sangiovese or Chianti would work well.
Let us know what you make in the comments! We’d love to hear your ideas for using mozzarella.
The halloumi recipes that you need to try today
We love sharing recipes with our readers and customers here at Shisler’s Cheese House.
Today, we are going to help you welcome in the New Year with some delicious halloumi recipes.
Last year, we shared a great recipe to make your own mouthwatering halloumi. This is surprisingly easy to make at home. If you’ve shied away from making your own cheese, halloumi is a great place to start. The result is a salty, slightly squeaky cheese that can be grilled or fried to perfection. If you’re missing those summer cookouts, these recipes will pick you up and give you that sunny boost!
Halloumi is best cooked under the grill or in a griddle pan, to get that lovely charred effect that you would achieve on a barbecue in the summer. It can also be baked in the oven with vegetables to add to salads.
Halloumi Burger
If you’re trying to cut down on the amount of meat you eat this year, halloumi can be a great alternative.
What You Need
Oil
A thick halloumi slice for each burger
1 red onion
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp harissa paste/chopped chilies (optional)
Burger Buns
Salad
Sauces
Equipment
Griddle Pan
Knife
- Add a small amount of oil to your griddle pan. Cut a thick slice of halloumi for each person and fry them until golden brown.
- At the same time, fry up a sliced red onion over a medium heat. When this has become soft, tip in 1/2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp of harissa paste or chopped chilies. You can leave these out if you are not a spice lover, but do add the sugar and let the onions become caramelized.
- Grab your favorite type of bun – we like brioche – and layer your halloumi with the caramelized onions, salad, and your favorite sauces.
The beauty of a burger is that you can customize it to make it your own. Choose your salad; add your favorite pickles; change the spices used to your liking.
Halloumi and Watermelon Salad
This is a really refreshing recipe that is sure to brighten up even the coldest of days.
What you need
1 cup (225g) of bulgar wheat/couscous
10 medium slices of halloumi
Olive oil
1 cucumber, halved lengthways to scoop out the seeds and then sliced
Large bunch of mint, finely chopped
Juice and zest of a lemon
2 cups (450g) watermelon chunks
Equipment
Griddle Pan
Knife
Small bowl
Lemon reamer
Salad bowl/large plate
- Cook your bulgar wheat or couscous according to the packet instructions. Set this aside.
- Add a small amount of oil to your griddle pan. Fry your halloumi slices until golden brown.
- Mix the cucumber, mint, and lemon juice and zest with the bulgar wheat or couscous.
- Transfer this to a salad bowl or a large plate. Top with the watermelon, halloumi, and a drizzle of olive oil.
We really hope that you will enjoy these recipes. Halloumi is a really diverse cheese that takes on flavor well, so you could use your favorite marinade How do you like to eat your halloumi? Let us know in the comments!
5 Ways to Eat Swiss Cheese
We are huge fans of Swiss cheese here at Shisler’s Cheese House. We have a whole range to keep you happy and today we’re giving you 5 ideas for ways to enjoy Swiss cheese.
The process of making Swiss cheese involves natural bacteria consuming the lactic acid in the cheese. This releases carbon dioxide gas, which slowly forms bubbles that become the recognizable holes in the cheese. These are often referred to as “eyes”. Our Amish swiss cheese, made in Northeastern Ohio, is especially flavorful because of the longer aging process that it undergoes, at a higher temperature than younger cheeses. This produces larger eyes, which is sometimes seen as an indicator for better flavor.
The milk used in our Swiss cheese does not have preservatives added, and is from cows that have never been given hormones or antibiotics. This creates a great taste and you know exactly what you are eating.
We also offer Baby Swiss, which substitutes water for the milk’s whey to slow the bacterial action. This creates smaller holes and a milder flavor. Lacy Swiss is another variety of Swiss cheese, made with low-fat milk. We even offer smoked Swiss cheese.
- On Crackers
Swiss cheese is well known for its nutty, bittersweet taste. This is perfect enjoyed on your favorite crackers. Add a couple of other cheese, some grapes, and relishes, and you’ve got a full cheeseboard.
- Paired with your favorite wine or beer
This is such a versatile cheese that you can easily find a beverage pairing for it. If you’re a fan of red wines, try a Merlot or Pinot Noir. For white wine lovers, try a Chardonnay or Riesling. Swiss cheese will also pair well with lager, pale ales, and Weiss beer.
- Cheese Fondue
Fondue is a decadent treat that’s perfect at the end of a cold day, or to share with friends and family. Simmer 10 fl. oz. white wine in a fondue pot, before adding 10 oz. each of Swiss and Gruyere cheese. Make sure everything is melted before stirring in 2 teaspoons flour. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Serve this with cubes of your favorite bread, chopped vegetables, and cured meats.
- Mac and Cheese
Add an extra punch of flavor to your favorite mac and cheese by grating in some Swiss cheese. You can even add it to breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy topping.
- On French Onion Soup
A firm favorite for warming you up, French onion soup is incomplete without a topping of Swiss cheese toast. Thinly slice small pieces of your favorite bread, add grated Swiss cheese and grill before serving with your soup.
If you love Swiss cheese as much as us, why not treat yourself this to our gift box this Christmas? You’ll find a whole 4lb. Baby Swiss cheese, perfect to share with the whole family.
However you like to eat your Swiss cheese, you can find it all here at Shisler’s Cheese House!
