Kamil Perry
Government cheese, also known as commodity cheese, is a processed cheese product controlled by the US federal government. It is made from a variety of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, curd, or granular cheese, and emulsifiers to make it meltable. The cheese was bought and stored by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation and distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly. It has been a topic of discussion and nostalgia for many, with some enjoying its taste and others associating it with hard times. Government cheese can be melted in various ways and used in different recipes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, cheese sauces, and sandwiches.
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What You'll Learn
Melting commodity cheese for a cheese sauce
Commodity cheese, also known as government cheese, is a processed cheese product controlled by the US federal government from World War II until the early 1980s. It was provided to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. The cheese was often made from stockpiled food surpluses and distributed to those in need.
To melt commodity cheese for a cheese sauce, it is recommended to shred the cheese first. Pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives that can interfere with melting, so shredding your own block of cheese will result in a creamier sauce.
Once you have shredded the cheese, you can begin making the roux, which is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter) used to thicken the sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add your choice of chopped onions and cook until they are soft and translucent. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth. Keep cooking and stirring for another 2-3 minutes, then stir in milk and reduce the heat. It is important to watch the sauce carefully at this point to prevent the milk from burning, as it will affect the taste of your cheese sauce.
After the milk has thickened, add in your seasonings like dry mustard and salt, then slowly incorporate the shredded cheese. Adding the cheese gradually and stirring until it melts ensures a smooth and creamy sauce without lumps. Once all the cheese is melted and combined, let the sauce cook on low heat for another 5 minutes before removing it from the heat.
Your homemade commodity cheese sauce is now ready to be enjoyed with pasta, vegetables, or as a topping for dishes like broccoli or cauliflower.
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Melting pre-shredded commodity cheese
Pre-shredded cheese is a convenient option when you don't want to shred a block of cheese yourself. However, it is known for not melting uniformly due to the additives that keep it from clumping in its packaging. These additives, such as cellulose, cornstarch, or potato starch, are anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting smoothly and can result in lumps in your sauce.
To achieve a creamier sauce with pre-shredded cheese, it is recommended to add the cheese slowly in small amounts, allowing it to melt fully before adding more. This method can help prevent the cheese from clumping together. Additionally, melting the cheese at a lower temperature can also improve results.
If you want to avoid the issues with melting pre-shredded cheese, you can opt to shred a block of cheese yourself. Block cheese does not contain anti-caking agents, which is why it melts more smoothly. By shredding your own cheese, you can achieve a creamier and fresher-tasting sauce.
When making a cheese sauce, it is important to take your time and slowly incorporate the cheese into the sauce. This applies whether you are using pre-shredded cheese or shredding a block of cheese yourself. The key to a successful cheese sauce is patience and careful stirring.
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Melting commodity cheese on food
Government cheese, also known as commodity cheese, is a processed cheese product that was distributed by the US government to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly receiving Social Security. It was also provided to food banks and churches. This cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, including Cheddar, Colby, curd, or granular cheese, and made meltable using emulsifiers and blending.
Government cheese was often melted and used in various recipes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, cheese sauces, and sandwiches. It was also used as a topping for foods like tacos, enchiladas, and French bread.
To melt commodity cheese on food, it is recommended to shred the cheese first. Pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives that can interfere with the melting process, resulting in clumps and lumps. Shredding the cheese yourself ensures a creamier sauce. Once shredded, the cheese can be added slowly to a pan or saucepan, stirring until melted before adding more. This technique ensures even melting and a smooth sauce.
Commodity cheese can also be used in baked dishes, such as casseroles or stuffed dishes, where the cheese is sprinkled or stuffed and then baked until melted. It can also be used as a topping for vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, providing a tasty and indulgent addition to a meal.
Overall, melting commodity cheese on food is a versatile process that can enhance the flavour and texture of various dishes, from sauces to baked goods and toppings.
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Melting commodity cheese for a dip
Commodity cheese, also known as government cheese, is a processed cheese product that was distributed to welfare beneficiaries, Food Stamp recipients, and the elderly in the United States. It was also provided to food banks, churches, and schools. This cheese was produced from a variety of cheeses, such as Cheddar, Colby, cheese curd, or granular cheese, and made meltable using emulsifiers and blending.
To melt commodity cheese for a dip, you can follow these steps:
Shred the cheese:
Start by shredding the cheese into small, even pieces. Shredding the cheese yourself will give you a creamier sauce and better melting compared to using pre-shredded cheese, which often contains preservatives that interfere with melting.
Prepare a roux:
In a saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in chopped onions and cook until they become translucent and soft. Then, use a whisk to stir in flour and continue whisking until you have a smooth mixture. Keep cooking and stirring this mixture for another 2-3 minutes.
Add milk:
Stir milk into the saucepan and reduce the heat to medium-low. It is important to watch the sauce carefully at this point to prevent the milk from burning, as it will affect the taste of your cheese dip.
Add the cheese gradually:
Slowly add in the shredded cheese a little at a time. Stir the cheese until it melts before adding more. Adding all the cheese at once may result in a clumpy sauce.
Season and serve:
After incorporating all the cheese, add dry mustard and salt to taste. Allow the dip to cook on low heat for another 5 minutes, then remove it from the heat. Serve warm with your favourite dippers, such as tortilla chips, vegetables, or bread.
By following these steps, you can create a creamy and delicious melted commodity cheese dip to enjoy with your favourite snacks.
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Melting commodity cheese in a roux
To melt commodity cheese in a roux, you'll first need to shred your cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains preservatives like potato starch or cellulose, which can interfere with how the cheese melts, so it's best to shred your own.
Next, you'll need to make the roux. A roux is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter) that's cooked and used to thicken a sauce. To make a roux, melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add in some chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking until smooth, then cook for another 2-3 minutes. If you're making a white or light-coloured cheese sauce, cook the roux for 3-5 minutes over low heat to keep the mixture light in colour. The roux is ready when it smells nutty and has lost its raw flour taste.
Now it's time to add the milk. If the roux is hot, use cool milk, and if the roux is cool, use hot milk. Pour in the milk gradually while whisking the mixture until smooth. You can also add in seasonings like dry mustard, salt, onion powder, white pepper, or nutmeg.
Finally, add in the shredded cheese slowly, a little at a time, stirring until it melts before adding more. If you add all the cheese at once, it may not melt evenly. Once all the cheese is melted, cook on low for another 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Your commodity cheese sauce is now ready to be served with pasta, vegetables, or as a dip.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to melt cheese is to add a small amount to a pan at a time, stirring until it melts before adding more.
To make a cheese sauce, you can add milk, dry mustard, salt, and butter.
Block cheese is better for melting than pre-shredded cheese, as it doesn't contain preservatives that interfere with the melting process.
Shred your own block of cheese, rather than buying pre-shredded cheese, to ensure it melts smoothly.
Melted commodity cheese can be used for grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, cheese sauces, cheese dips, and tacos.
