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Yummy, Stringy, Luscious Cheese
by Patty Liston and Alice Osborne
Oh how we love cheese! Whether we sample from out-door markets, or our local deli, we are always astonished at the variety of taste and texture that makes up this delicious food.
Below are some recipes that may introduce you to some different cheese — all which can be found in supermarkets. Patty is doing the Mac and Cheese tonight!
Croque Monsieur Mac and Cheese
From Food Network
1/2 pound ziti
2 cups milk
2 cups coarsely grated gruyere cheese (about 6 ounces)
1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
2 large eggs
3 slices white sandwich bread, roughly diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt
8 ounces thinly sliced deli-boiled ham
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; toss with 1/4 cup milk.
Meanwhile, combine both cheeses in a bowl. Beat 1/4 cup milk and the eggs in another bowl; fold in the bread and add half of the cheese.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, cayenne, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon Kosher salt; cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Slowly add 3/4 cup water and the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk; bring to a boil, stirring until thickened. Remove from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese, then add the pasta and toss.
Butter a shallow casserole dish. Add half of the pasta, top with some of the ham and cover with the remaining pasta. Top with the remaining ham, then cover with the bread mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Photograph by Antonis Achilleos
Download this recipe.
Feta and Cauliflower Frittata
10 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 head cauliflower, thinly sliced (about 5 cups)
6 cups mixed salad greens (about 5 ounces)
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Whisk the eggs, milk and cayenne together in a bowl; add 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Fold in the cheese and dill.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an ovenproof 6- or 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, swirling to coat the pan. Add the cauliflower, 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt and pepper to taste; cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and stir gently with a rubber spatula to distribute the filling. Cook until the bottom is just set but not brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the frittata is almost set on top, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover and set aside for 5 minutes to finish cooking.
Season the greens with salt and pepper and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the vinegar. Slide the frittata onto a cutting board and slice into wedges. Sprinkle generously with more dill; serve warm or at room temperature with the salad.
Download this recipe.
Cheddar Fondue
From Rachael Ray
1 sack, 10 ounces, 2 1/2 cups, shredded sharp Cheddar, available on dairy aisle
1/4 to 1/3 pound, 4 to 6 ounces, Gruyere, shredded
1 rounded tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup German lager beer
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
A few drops hot sauce
A few drops Worcestershire sauce
For Serving:
1 1/2 pounds cubed or thick sliced and browned wursts: knock, brat or brot,
1 package mini party franks (recommended: Boars Head)
1 head cauliflower, separated into florets
1 small jar mini Gherkin pickles, drained
1 small jar pickled onions, available on vegetable aisle
1 small, round loaf rye, pumpernickel or sour dough bread, cubed
Combine cheeses in a bowl with flour. Add beer to a small pot and bring up to a bubble over medium heat. Reduce the heat to simmer and add cheese in handfuls. Stir constantly, melting the cheese in batches. Stir in a figure-eight pattern with wooden spoon. When the cheese has been incorporated fully, stir in the mustard, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Transfer fondue to warm fondue pot.
In a large skillet, bring 2-inches of water to a boil and blanch the cauliflower for 2 to 3 minutes, drain and arrange around the fondue pot.
In the same pan, bring the cooking water back to a boil and add the mini franks and sliced wursts. Cook, uncovered until all the liquid has evaporated. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan to crisp the casings. Pile wursts and dogs near fondue. Complete the dipping selections with dishes of pickles, onions and cubed bread.
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