Cheese Recipe 41: Cheesy Rice Balls

This will make about 4-6 servings.


Ingredients:

4 ounces ham, diced finely


2 garlic cloves finely chopped


¼ chives


2 tablespoons butter


4 ounces cream cheese warmed to room temperature


½ cup shredded mozzarella


½ cup shredded provolone


2 cups long grain rice cooked to package directions


½ cup flour


3 eggs beaten


2 cups breadcrumbs


Salt, pepper and parsley to taste


Oil for frying

Method:

Preheat fryer to 375 degrees. Sauté garlic and chives in butter over medium heat. Add the ham, cooking until lightly crisp, and then stir in the rice. Mix the ham mixture, cream cheese, and cheeses, add some parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste and then begin rolling them into balls that are a little smaller than golf balls. Place on baking sheet. In three separate bowls, place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Season breadcrumbs to taste. Roll the balls through the flour, then eggs, and finally breadcrumbs. Gently add to deep fryer and fry until golden brown and crisp, about three minutes. Serve warm.

Alternative Cheeses:

Provolone, Cheddar

Cheese Recipe 41: Cheesy Rice Balls

This will make about 4-6 servings.


Ingredients:

4 ounces ham, diced finely


2 garlic cloves finely chopped


¼ chives


2 tablespoons butter


4 ounces cream cheese warmed to room temperature


½ cup shredded mozzarella


½ cup shredded provolone


2 cups long grain rice cooked to package directions


½ cup flour


3 eggs beaten


2 cups breadcrumbs


Salt, pepper and parsley to taste


Oil for frying

Method:

Preheat fryer to 375 degrees. Sauté garlic and chives in butter over medium heat. Add the ham, cooking until lightly crisp, and then stir in the rice. Mix the ham mixture, cream cheese, and cheeses, add some parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste and then begin rolling them into balls that are a little smaller than golf balls. Place on baking sheet. In three separate bowls, place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Season breadcrumbs to taste. Roll the balls through the flour, then eggs, and finally breadcrumbs. Gently add to deep fryer and fry until golden brown and crisp, about three minutes. Serve warm.

Alternative Cheeses:

Provolone, Cheddar

Cheese Recipe 40: Twice Baked Potatoes

This recipe makes enough for about 8 servings.


Ingredients:

8 slices of bacon, cooked till crisp and well drained


8 large baking potatoes


½ cup milk


1 cup sour cream


8 green onions or chives


1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded


4 tablespoons butter


salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Get the oven going to 350 degrees. Bake potatoes for about an hour, or until fully cooked. This is a great time to cook and drain bacon so that it's prepared. Crumble and set aside. After the potatoes are cooked let them cool. It will take about 10 minutes. Slice them in half, lengthwise and scoop out the centers. Place this into a large bowl and save the skins. To the bowl and milk, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper, and ½ the cheese, and ½ the green onions. Spoon this mixture into the skins, cover with rest of cheese and bacon crumbles. Place back in the oven for about another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Alternative Cheeses:

Colby Jack, Smokey Swiss, Gouda

Cheese Recipe 39: Hearty Mac and Cheese

This recipe will make enough for four servings.


Ingredients:

3 cups milk


½ grated provolone


2 cups shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese


8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni


¼ cup butter


2 tablespoons butter


2 ½ tablespoons flour


½ cup breadcrumbs


1 pinch paprika

Method:

Cook macaroni according to directions drain well. In a saucepan, melt the butter, over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add mil to the roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in the cheeses, and cook over low heat until they are melted smooth, and the sauce thickens. Place the macaroni in a large casserole dish and cover with the cheese sauce. Stir well. Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the breadcrumbs and toss till they are brown. Spread to cover the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with paprika for color. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Alternative Cheese:

Gouda, Cheddar, Colby Jack

Cheese Recipe 38: Cheese Surprise Burgers

This recipe yields four burgers.


Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef


1 small onion grated


2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce


1 ½ teaspoon salt


2 tablespoons milk


2 tablespoons parsley chopped thinly


1 slice bread crumbled


½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Method:

In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, and milk. Roll these to form four uniform balls. Set these aside. In the same bowl, combine beef, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Divide into four portions. Shape each portion around one of the cheese balls that has already been formed. Flatten these lightly with the palm of your hand to make hamburger patties. In a large frying pan, brown each patty on both sides. Then cover these and cook for about 5-10 minutes, until done. Serve on buns and with condiments of choice.

Alternative Cheeses:

Gouda, Swiss, Smokey Swiss, Jalapeño Cheddar, Muenster, Provolone, Extra Sharp Cheddar, or Colby Jack