How To Make Traditional Cheddar Dishes More Exciting

Anyone who loves cooking will look for ways to reinvent traditional recipes in order to bring them up to date or make them more appealing to their friends and families. There are many ways that you can perform recipe makeovers and use simple changes to put a whole new spin on them.

The advantage to cooking with Cheddars is that they all react well to cooking. Some premium aged Cheddar cheeses may be better served alone because of their rich taste but the texture of the cheese will not become grainy or gritty when it is cooked like some other cheeses may when they are exposed to heat.

Using Older Cheddars

If you are used to cooking many of your dishes with mild or even medium Cheddars, one of the easiest ways to up the excitement factor is through the use of an aged Cheddar cheese. As Cheddar ages it develops a richer, sharper flavor that can really add extra zip to your favorite dishes. Think how flavorful and rich something as simple as Macaroni and Cheese can taste when you switch out a mild three to six month old cheese with a Cheddar that is two or three years old. The added flavor may be just what you need to bring new life back to this traditional comfort food.

Using Flavored Cheddars
Many Cheddars have had herbs or other flavorings added to them. Cheddar cheeses such as Horseradish Cheddar, Jalapeno Cheddar or Garlic Cheddar can add extra dimension to any dish that it is used in. Consider making a rich Cheddar sauce for vegetables or meat dishes but using flavored Cheddar instead. Garlic Cheddar in particular will work well with a wide variety of different foods. Jalapeno Cheddar may work better for dishes where you want a little added heat and Horseradish Cheddar may work very well if served on dishes alongside beef, as horseradish is a condiment that many people feel enhances the flavor of the beef.

Smoked Cheddar can be a fantastic addition to any recipe. Unlike other Cheddars it does not have any herbs or seasonings added to the cheese itself. Instead, the cheese is exposed to smoke such as that produced by Maple wood. The smoke darkens the outside of the cheese and adds a beautiful taste that everyone should experience if they have the chance. Because the smoking can alter the taste you may want to try using smoked cheese when you are making foods for people who do not like a sharper, older Cheddar cheese.

Use A Blend Of Cheeses
Using a blend of different cheeses can also help to add extra dimension to a cheese dish. Consider using mild or sharp Cheddar rather than one that is extra-sharp as you want to ensure that the flavor of the Cheddar will not overwhelm the taste of the other cheeses you are using. Some excellent cheeses that work well with Cheddar include Mozzarella, Provolone or Colby Jack. By experimenting with different cheese combinations you will rapidly learn which will work best with the different meals that you are trying to change.

-Written by Lisa Longworth