Bushra Griffith
Havarti cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from grilled cheese sandwiches to pizzas and burgers. Its mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavour pairs well with both savoury and sweet dishes, making it a popular choice for charcuterie boards. Havarti cheese is also known for its excellent melting properties, making it a favourite among cheese lovers. When melted, it develops a smooth and creamy texture, enhancing the flavour of dishes and creating a satisfyingly gooey delight. Its ability to melt well increases its usefulness in the kitchen, making it a great option for recipes that require melted cheese, such as mac and cheese, stuffed meats, and soups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting properties | Excellent |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, subtly nutty |
| Texture | Buttery |
| Use cases | Grilled cheese sandwiches, melting on top of burgers, mac and cheese, stuffed meats, soups, pizza |
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What You'll Learn
Melting it on burgers
Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be used in the kitchen in many ways, including melting it on burgers. It has a buttery texture and a mildly sweet and nutty flavour. It is also slightly acidic and develops a hazelnut taste as it ages. Its mellow flavour means it does not overpower other ingredients, but it is rich enough to hold its own in complex dishes.
Havarti is an excellent melting cheese, and it can be used to make delicious cheeseburgers. It has the consistency of Swiss cheese but a heartier taste. It is a sweet and smooth cheese with a springy texture, and it melts easily, blending seamlessly with other toppings. It pairs well with beef and lamb burgers, as well as any other red meat.
To make the perfect Havarti cheeseburger, top your burger with a slice of Havarti and allow it to melt into the meat. You can also try adding other toppings, such as a slice of salami and a carrot raisin salad. If you want to melt the cheese more quickly or achieve a more thorough melt, you can also place the assembled burger under the grill/broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese is melted to your liking.
For a more indulgent option, you could try a stuffed burger. Form your burger patties around a chunk of Havarti, then grill or fry as normal. The cheese will melt inside the patty, creating a delicious, oozy centre.
Havarti is a great choice for a cheeseburger and can be used in many other melted applications, including grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, and pizzas.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients:
- Sliced bread (thick, hearty slices of white bread, sourdough, or whole grain bread)
- Butter (softened or melted)
- Havarti cheese (room temperature or shredded)
- Optional: vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, garlic, spinach, or mushrooms, bacon, and caramelized onions
Instructions
Follow these steps to make your grilled cheese sandwich:
- Preheat a small skillet over low to medium-low heat. It is important not to get the skillet too hot.
- Spread softened butter over one side of each slice of bread. You can also grill your sandwich with a lid while cooking for extra meltiness.
- Place 3-4 slices of room temperature Havarti cheese or shredded Havarti cheese on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread. If you are using vegetables or other add-ons, place them on top of the cheese.
- Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing outwards.
- Cook the sandwich in the skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side over low heat, or until the cheese is completely melted and the bread is golden brown. Be careful not to burn the bread before the cheese melts.
- Cut the sandwich diagonally, serve, and enjoy!
You can also experiment with different types of bread and cheese combinations, such as using freshly grated Cheddar and Havarti together, or adding a side of gently warmed, sugar-free berry jam.
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Mac and cheese
Havarti cheese is a versatile cheese that can be used to elevate a variety of dishes, including mac and cheese. It has a mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavour that pairs well with other cheeses and ingredients. When melted, it has a creamy, rich, and buttery texture, making it a great choice for mac and cheese.
To make mac and cheese with Havarti cheese in the oven, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook your pasta until it is al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Be sure to salt your pasta water generously, as this will flavour the pasta from the inside out.
In a deep-bottomed saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat. Add mustard and flour, and whisk briskly for about 2 minutes to cook the flour. Pour in milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a creamy sauce. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
Now it's time to add the cheese. Stir in shredded Havarti cheese until it is completely melted and smooth. You can also add other cheeses like sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or Gouda for extra flavour. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add some extra veggies, try fresh spinach, broccoli, or roasted butternut squash.
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is fully coated. Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. For a crunchy crust, sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter over the top.
Bake your mac and cheese for 15 minutes covered with foil. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. Let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
With these steps and the magic of Havarti cheese, you can create a delicious, creamy, and cheesy mac and cheese that your family and friends will surely enjoy!
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Homemade pizzas
Preparing the Dough:
First, prepare the pizza dough by rolling it out on a floured surface. You can make the dough yourself or use store-bought dough. Place the rolled-out dough on a pizza stone or a baking sheet.
Adding Sauce:
Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the dough. You can also get creative with the sauce, like using a garlic oil base instead of tomato sauce.
Toppings:
Now comes the fun part: toppings! Start by sprinkling shredded Havarti cheese evenly over the sauce. You can also mix the Havarti with other cheeses like Provolone, Pecorino, Parmesan, or Fontina for an extra cheesy kick. Then, add your favorite toppings. For a vegetarian option, try sauteed mushrooms with herbs, spinach, and a drizzle of truffle oil or garlic oil. If you prefer meat on your pizza, try adding sausage, bacon, or pepperoni.
Baking:
Preheat your oven to around 450°F (230°C) for pizza rolls or 475°F (245°C) for a regular pizza, according to the dough instructions. Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden, and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Serving:
Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy the delicious, cheesy goodness!
You can also make Homemade Havarti Cheese Pizza Dough Rolls as a snack or appetizer. Simply stuff the dough with your favorite fillings, bake, and enjoy! These rolls can be served immediately or frozen for later.
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Baked pork tenderloin
Yes, Havarti cheese melts in the oven. It has a buttery texture and a mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavour, making it a versatile cheese that pairs well with other flavours. It is a good melting cheese, similar to Gouda, Emmental, and Edam.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork tenderloin
- Shredded Havarti cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Roasted vegetables or a side salad (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the shredded Havarti cheese and fresh herbs evenly over the inside of the pork tenderloin.
- Roll the tenderloin back up and secure it with kitchen twine.
- Season the outside of the pork with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the pork on all sides until golden brown.
- Transfer the pork to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and the cheese is melted.
- Let the pork rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or a side salad (optional).
You can also try a cheese-stuffed pork tenderloin recipe, which includes cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon or chorizo, cream cheese, spinach, mushrooms, garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Simply spread the filling onto the tenderloin, roll it up, coat it with breadcrumbs, and bake until the pork is no longer pink in the centre, about 1-1.5 hours.
If you're looking for a quicker option, try making Hawaiian Havarti Pork Sliders, which only take 30 minutes to prepare and bake. Alternatively, you can make a Carolina BBQ Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, topping it with Jalapeño Havarti for an extra kick of heat.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Havarti cheese is known for its excellent melting properties. When heated, it develops a smooth, creamy texture.
You will need bread, butter, and Havarti cheese. First, butter the bread, then place the cheese on the non-buttered side of the bread. Close the sandwich and place it in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
You can use melted Havarti cheese in mac and cheese, on pizzas, in soups, or stuffed meats like pork tenderloin. It can also be used in dips, on burgers, or as a topping for breads and crackers.
Havarti cheese is versatile and has a mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavour that pairs well with other ingredients. It is also known for its excellent melting properties, making it a favourite among cheese lovers.
Yes, cheeses like Gouda, Emmental, Edam, Cheddar, American, Gruyere, and Muenster are also known for their melting properties and can be used similarly to Havarti in recipes.
