Cheese Recipes

You won't be surprised to find a number of yummy cheese recipes from a country that adores its dairy products as much as France. Au gratin dishes and fondue savoyarde are known the world over. Of course, French cheese is wonderful enjoyed on its own, but using them in a recipe can also be culinary magic.

Cooking With Cheese

Grating. Does anybody like this task? For best results, grate cheese when it is cold. For softer cheeses to save time and skin, you might like to try packaged grated cheese. Some of these can be quite alright for recipes, although certainly more expensive than doing it yourself. For hard cheeses like Parmesan and Sbrinz, use a rotary cheese grater.

Heating. Heat is the enemy of cheese. When making sauces, keep the heat low and grate or crumble the cheese before adding. When melting cheese under the broiler, keep the dish about 5 inches from the heat source.

Fat Content. In general the higher fat content of a cheese, the easier it will be to cook with. Non-fat cheese (please, please tell me you don't eat this) won't even melt. If you are watching your calories, just use less cheese!

Measuring. It is far more accurate to weigh cheese for recipes. In general, 1 cup of shredded cheese weighs about 3 1/2 ounces, and 1 cup of crumbled cheese weighs about 6 ounces.

Baked Brie Recipes

Get fabulous taste for next to no work by melting French brie cheese in puff pastry with a few other ingredients like fig jam and toasted almonds.

Cheese Puff Recipe

Gougères are made from choux pastry and just about any cheese you wish. You can add other ingredients and come up with your own twist on this warm appetizer.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Aligot is a speciality of the Auvergne region in the south of France. Sliced tomme cheese is gradually beaten into mashed potatoes, resulting in long ribbons of aligot.

Fried Cheese Recipe

Cubes of brie cheese are fried and served with two succulent sauces. This goes together very quickly for a hot appetizer everyone will love.

Goat Cheese and Leek Tart Recipe

This recipe relies on jarred tapenade and store bought puff pastry for ease. A great combination of flavors including fresh goat cheese and leeks.

Griled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

The ever popular Croque Monsieur is the French take on a lunch time classic. The sandwich is first dipped in egg, then fried in butter. Cheese sauce is optional.

Munster Cheese Quiche

Munster cheese is a sort of ultimate melting cheese. This quiche recipe makes an excellent showcase for its exceptional qualities. Serve with a green salad for a perfect meal.

Potato Cheese Casserole

Reblochon cheese is usually the star in this speciality from the Savoy region. Sliced potatoes and bacon are topped with cheese and a splash of white wine, then baked to hearty goodness.

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