Randy Chandler
Fontina is a versatile Italian cheese with a rich history, dating back to the 12th century. It is made from cow's milk and has a creamy light yellow colour, a mild nutty flavour, and a unique, buttery taste. Fontina is an excellent table cheese, especially when served with dried dark fruits, chocolate, port, or sherry. It is also a great cooking cheese, melting smoothly and adding a savoury intensity to dishes like mac 'n' cheese, fondue, eggs, and soups. When serving Fontina as a table cheese, it is best to let it come to room temperature for an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Italy |
| Type of Milk | Cow |
| Region | Val D’Aosta or Fontina Valdostana |
| Texture | Semi-soft to semi-firm |
| Rind | Edible |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, buttery |
| Melting Quality | Excellent |
| Serving Temperature | Room temperature |
| Storage | Refrigerated in parchment or waxed paper |
| Pairing | Dried dark fruits, chocolate, port, sherry |
| Use Cases | Grilled cheese sandwiches, eggs, mac n' cheese, fondue, soup, risotto |
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What You'll Learn
How to store it
Fontina is a semi-hard cheese with a creamy texture and nutty flavour. It is a great melting cheese, often used to thicken sauces. To store it, the ideal temperature range is between 34° and 45°F. If your refrigerator is colder than this, it may affect the flavour of the cheese. In this case, you can store it in the produce drawer, which tends to be slightly warmer. If your kitchen is cool and has a stable temperature, you can leave Fontina on the counter, but it must be covered to avoid pests and exposure to too much air.
To wrap Fontina, remove any plastic wrap it came in, as this can cause the cheese to sweat and destroy the flavour. Instead, wrap it loosely in paper, then in plastic wrap to retain moisture. Waxed paper or parchment paper are good options, as they allow the cheese to breathe. You can also buy special cheese paper, which is designed to ensure the cheese can breathe while preventing unwanted air from entering. Alternatively, you can store Fontina in an airtight container, such as a cheese grotto, which protects cheese and stores it at 75% humidity.
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How to serve it as a table cheese
Fontina is a semi-soft to semi-firm, subtly sweet Italian table cheese with small holes throughout its body. It is made from cow's milk and is known for its mellow, buttery, and nutty flavour. Its supple texture and moisture content make it ideal for melting, and it is a perfect choice for fondue, grilled cheese sandwiches, and other melted cheese dishes.
When serving Fontina as a table cheese, consider the following tips:
- Storage and Serving Temperature: Fontina should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in cheese paper, to prevent it from drying out while still allowing it to breathe. Allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving to enhance its flavour and texture.
- Cutting and Presentation: Fontina's semi-soft to semi-firm texture makes it easy to cut, and its rind is not too imposing. Consider cutting the cheese into thin slices or wedges, presenting it on a cheese board or platter, and providing appropriate knives for your guests.
- Pairings and Accompaniments: Fontina pairs well with ingredients that complement its creamy and nutty profile. On a cheese platter, consider serving it with dried dark fruits like dates, raisins, and figs, as well as nuts such as walnuts and pecans, which bring out its nutty undertones. A touch of honey or fig jam adds sweetness and enhances the cheese's slightly tangy notes. Fresh fruits like apples and pears offer a refreshing contrast. For a more savoury option, Fontina goes well with cured meats such as prosciutto.
- Beverage Pairings: To enhance the dining experience, pair Fontina with complementary beverages. Dry white wines, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, harmonise with the cheese's creamy texture and nutty flavour. Light red wines like Pinot Noir work well due to their fruity and slightly acidic nature, which matches the cheese's nuttiness. If you prefer beer, Belgian ales or pale ales are good choices as their balanced bitterness won't overpower the cheese. Sparkling water with a hint of citrus can also act as a refreshing palate cleanser.
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How to cook with it
Fontina cheese is a great melting cheese with a mild, nutty flavour. It is a semi-soft Italian cheese made with cow's milk. Here are some ideas for how to cook with it:
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Fontina cheese makes a great grilled cheese sandwich. You can toss the cheese with fresh herbs and thinly sliced scallions for a bit of onion bite. Use soft herbs such as dill, parsley, chives, tarragon or basil. Build your grilled cheese sandwiches by mounding the cheese between two slices of sourdough. Cook in a hot skillet with melted butter over medium to low heat so that the bread doesn't burn before the cheese melts.
Pizza
Fontina cheese is a great topping for pizza. Try it with some garlic and oregano, or with smoked scamorza, fresh mozzarella, shiitake mushrooms, corn, crispy pancetta, basil and grated pecorino romano.
Fondue
Melt fontina cheese in a double boiler or steel bowl in a saucepan with some white wine and black pepper. Dip baguette and vegetables into it.
Welsh Rarebit
Melt fontina cheese, perhaps with some butter, in a double boiler or steel bowl with some beer and mustard. Serve with bread, a little salad, or raw tomato and onion.
Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Make large incisions in the side of a raw chicken breast, stuff it with prosciutto, fontina, and herbs. Seal with a toothpick and grill seasoned with salt and pepper. Brush with herb butter throughout and top with mushrooms and lemon butter.
Mashed Potatoes
Add broccoli and fontina cheese to mashed potatoes for a wonderful side dish.
Macaroni and Cheese
Fontina cheese is a great addition to macaroni and cheese. It is so creamy that it doesn't need anything else.
Scalloped Potatoes
Fontina cheese can be used in a classic scalloped potatoes recipe, made with softened onions, an easy roux, and thinly sliced potatoes.
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How to serve it with drinks
Fontina is a semi-soft to semi-firm cheese with a rich, creamy texture and a nutty, buttery flavour. It is an excellent choice for serving with drinks, and its versatility means it can be paired with a variety of beverages, from cocktails to wine.
When serving Fontina with drinks, it is best to allow the cheese to come to room temperature before serving. This enhances its creamy texture and brings out its flavour. Fontina is best served in large slices, with a serving knife, or in smaller slices as part of a cheese platter. The rind should not be removed, as it is edible, especially in younger, higher-quality Fontina.
Fontina pairs well with charcuterie, such as salami, prosciutto, and speck, as well as eggs, red meat, and roasted poultry. Its nutty flavour is complemented by dried dark fruits like dates, raisins, and figs, as well as fresh fruits like pears and grapes. For an elegant touch, pair Fontina with truffles, or truffle shavings, as in the traditional Italian fondue, Fonduta.
When it comes to drinks, Fontina is an excellent match for both red and white wines. The best red wine pairings include Nebbiolo, Barbera, Chianti, Montepulciano, and Cabernet Sauvignon. As for white wines, Chardonnay or Riesling are ideal choices. For a sparkling option, consider Franciacorta, or fortified wines such as Port or Sherry. If cocktails are more your style, a gin-based drink like a Pomegranate Gin Fizz pairs beautifully with the sharp, tangy flavours of Fontina.
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How to serve it as a dessert
Fontina cheese is a semi-hard, smooth, Italian cheese with a creamy, nutty, and buttery flavour. It is known for its excellent melting quality and is perfect for sauces and baked dishes. Here are some ways to serve Fontina cheese as a dessert:
Fonduta
A traditional Italian fondue, Fonduta combines melted Fontina cheese with milk, egg yolks, and truffle shavings. Gently melt the cheese in a double boiler, slowly mixing in the milk to achieve a smooth consistency. Add well-beaten egg yolks to the mixture, ensuring they do not scramble. Sprinkle truffle shavings on top and serve warm with dippable items like crusty bread, steamed vegetables, or boiled potatoes.
Quattro Formaggi Pizza
Fontina's creamy texture pairs beautifully with mozzarella, gorgonzola, and parmesan. Start with a well-proofed pizza dough, stretching it to your desired thickness. Add your favourite toppings and bake until the cheese is melted and golden.
Fruit and Cheese Platter
Fontina's slight tanginess pairs exceptionally well with fresh fruits like pears and apples, as well as dried dark fruits like dates, raisins, and figs. For a touch of sweetness, add some honey or fig jam to the platter.
Baked Dish
Fontina can be the star of a simple baked dish. Place cubed Fontina cheese in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish and bake until melted. Serve with bread, crackers, or vegetables for dipping.
Drinks
When serving Fontina as a dessert, consider pairing it with drinks that complement its creamy and nutty profile. Dry white wines, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, are an excellent choice. For a robust option, light red wines like Pinot Noir work well due to their fruity and slightly acidic nature. If beer is preferred, go for Belgian ales or pale ales, which have a balanced bitterness.
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Frequently asked questions
To store Fontina cheese, wrap it tightly in parchment, waxed paper, butcher paper, or cheese paper. Then, place the wrapped cheese in a plastic container with holes poked in it. Finally, store the container in the cheese drawer of your refrigerator. Stored this way, young Fontina will keep for 2 weeks, and up to 6 weeks if it's aged.
Fontina cheese is excellent with dried dark fruits like dates, raisins, and figs, as well as chocolate, port, or sherry. It is also commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, mac 'n' cheese, fondue, and eggs.
Fontina is an Italian cow's milk cheese known for its superb melting quality and its mild, nutty flavor. It can be made from raw or pasteurized milk.
