Andy Montoya
Ballard Cheese is made from pasteurized 100% rBST-free milk from Jersey cows. The cheesemaking process involves pasteurizing milk at about 150°F, adding a cheese culture, and coagulating the milk using Rennet, an enzyme. The curds are then cut into quarter-inch cubes, cooked, and stirred to make cheddar cheese. Ballard offers a variety of cheeses, including Idaho Golden Greek Grilling Cheese, Aged White Cheddar Cheese Sauce, and Garlic and Herb Cheese Curds. The Idaho Golden Greek Grilling Cheese can be fried, grilled, or BBQ'd and paired with toppings such as bacon, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce. The Aged White Cheddar Cheese Sauce can be used in recipes such as caramelized mushroom and garlic sauces. The Garlic and Herb Cheese Curds can be eaten by the handful or microwaved for a few seconds. Ballard Cheese can also be added to omelets or served with jelly as a breakfast item.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Semi-firm Mediterranean grilling cheese |
| Texture | Distinctive layered |
| Taste | Mildly salty with a rich buttery taste |
| Heat Resistance | High |
| Golden Crust | Develops when grilled, BBQ'd, or fried |
| Similarity | Comparable to Halloumi |
| Consistency | Bite-size wedges or slices |
| Accompaniments | Bacon, avocado slices, tomatoes, lettuce leaves, jelly |
| Use Cases | Omelets, sandwiches, tacos, appetizers, sauce |
| Recipe | Cut into 1/4-inch slices, fry on medium heat until browned on both sides, serve with toppings |
| Pasteurization | Milk is pasteurized at about 150 F |
| Cheese Culture | Added to milk |
| Rennet | Added to coagulate milk |
| Curds | Cut into quarter-inch cubes, stirred, cooked, and salted |
| Cheddaring | Curds cut into loaves, halved, stacked, and re-stacked |
| Milling | Curds milled into slabs when pH is right |
| Packaging | Vacuum-packed and sealed for aging |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Grilled Ballard cheese
To make a simple grilled Ballard cheese sandwich, start by frying your choice of bacon until crisp. Set the bacon aside and cut the cheese into 1/4-inch slices. Warm up a clean, dry skillet over medium heat and place the cheese slices in a single layer in the pan. Fry the cheese on one side until it has browned, then turn the slices over and brown the other side. You can now layer pieces of bacon, avocado slices, tomatoes, and lettuce leaves on top of the cooked cheese slice. Secure another slice of cheese on top with a toothpick and serve immediately.
For a more indulgent option, you can create a grilled Ballard cheese sandwich with a special sauce. Prepare the sandwich sauce by blending mayonnaise, sour cream, tarragon vinegar, green onion, garlic, basil, parsley, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook your favourite roast or taco filling and layer it with the sauce, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce between two slices of grilled cheese.
If you're feeling creative, you can also experiment with different ingredients to add to your grilled Ballard cheese. Try making an omelette with spinach, tomatoes, onions, eggs, and Ballard Cheese, or simply enjoy the cheese with your favourite jelly. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and enjoy the delicious flavour of grilled Ballard cheese!
Cheese Wraps: Ultimate Guide to Using Them
You may want to see also
Ballard cheese in an omelette
Ballard Cheese can be used in an omelette in several ways. Firstly, you can whisk eggs in a bowl, add milk, and season with salt and white pepper. Whisk the mixture until it becomes foamy, which should take around 2 to 3 minutes. Next, melt butter in a small, non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour in the egg mixture and swirl the skillet so that the bottom is evenly covered with egg. As the egg starts to set, after about a minute, lift the edges with a spatula and tilt the skillet so that the uncooked egg can flow towards the skillet's bottom.
You can then add bite-size wedges or slices of Ballard Cheese to the omelette, along with other ingredients such as spinach, tomatoes, and onions. It is important to keep the temperature on the lower side to prevent the omelette from turning brown. After adding your desired ingredients, carefully flip the omelette and cook until warmed through, which should take 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Finally, sprinkle cheese down the middle of the omelette and fold it in half. Cook until the cheese is melted, which should only take about 20 seconds. You can use any cheese you like, but some great options include Emmentaler or medium cheddar cheese. Slide the omelette onto a plate and serve with other breakfast items like sausage, toast, and fruit. Enjoy your delicious Ballard Cheese omelette!
Basket Cheese: A Versatile Ingredient for Delicious Dishes
You may want to see also
Ballard cheese sauce
Ballard Cheese is a family-owned dairy and cheese producer based in Idaho, USA. They make a variety of cheeses, including a traditional semi-firm Mediterranean grilling cheese, cheddar, and cheese curds.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 oz of Ballard Aged White Cheddar Cheese, grated
- Butter
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Brandy
- Bechamel
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Grate the cheese and set aside.
- In a saucepan, saute the mushrooms in butter until caramelized.
- Add the garlic, shallots, and brandy to the saucepan and saute for another minute.
- Pour in the bechamel and continue to cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the grated cheese to the saucepan and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the sauce warm over vegetables, meats, or as a dip for bread or crackers.
Variations
For a more indulgent sauce, you can add cream or milk to the saucepan after adding the cheese. This will create a richer, creamier sauce. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to add extra flavour to the sauce.
Storage
The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Havarti Cheese: Best Uses and Recipes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ballard cheese with bacon, avocado, and tomato
Ballard Cheese is a type of cheddar cheese made from pasteurized milk from Jersey cows. The cheese is made by cutting the curd into loaves, cutting the loaves in half, and then stacking and re-stacking them. This process is called Cheddaring and it is what gives the cheese its distinctive flavour and texture.
One popular way to use Ballard Cheese is in a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon, avocado, and tomato. This sandwich is an elevated version of the classic grilled cheese and combines crispy bacon, creamy avocado, ripe tomatoes, and melted cheese. Here is a recipe for this delicious sandwich:
Ingredients:
- Ballard Cheese
- Thick-cut bacon
- Avocado
- Ripe tomatoes
- Red leaf lettuce
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Tarragon vinegar
- Green onion
- Garlic
- Basil leaves
- Parsley sprigs
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Fry the bacon slices until they are crisp. Set them aside.
- Cut the avocado and tomatoes into thin slices. Wash and separate the lettuce leaves.
- Cut the Ballard Cheese into 1/4-inch slices.
- Warm up a clean, dry skillet over medium heat and add the cheese slices in a single layer. Fry on one side until the cheese has browned, then turn the slices over and brown the other side.
- Place the cooked cheese slices on a warm plate and continue with the rest of the cheese. Keep the plate warm in the oven to prevent the cheese from cooling.
- Layer pieces of bacon, avocado slices, tomatoes, and lettuce leaves on top of a cooked cheese slice.
- Drizzle the sauce (made by blending mayonnaise, sour cream, tarragon vinegar, green onion, garlic, basil, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) over the toppings.
- Secure another slice of cheese on top with a toothpick and serve immediately.
You can also add a twist to this recipe by making it into a bread-less sandwich or using the ingredients to create a tasty omelet. For a bread-less sandwich, simply omit the bread and toothpick, securing the sandwich with a skewer or enjoying it as an open-faced sandwich. For an omelet, mix diced tomatoes, onions, spinach, eggs, and Ballard Cheese, and serve with breakfast items like sausage, toast, and fruit.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Mac and Cheese
You may want to see also
Ballard cheese curds
One popular way to enjoy Ballard Cheese Curds is to munch on them straight out of the bag. They are mild in flavor and have a delightful squeaky texture that is sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Pop them into your mouth by the handful, or enjoy them one by one as a tasty snack.
For a warm treat, try popping the cheese curds into the microwave for about eight seconds. This will give them a marvelous, gooey texture and enhance their flavor. You can also experiment with different seasonings and spices to create your own unique flavor combinations. For example, try a blend of hot peppers and garlic for a spicy kick, or a combination of garlic and Italian herbs for a more subtle, enchanting flavor.
Cheese curds can also be used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes. Try adding them to salads, pastas, or casseroles for a creamy, cheesy twist. They can also be used as a topping for soups, stews, or chili to add a bit of extra flavor and texture. For a fun appetizer, bread and fry the cheese curds to make delicious, crispy, cheesy bites.
Frequently asked questions
Ballard Cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, including omelettes, tacos, and grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also fry or grill the cheese on its own as an appetiser.
Cut the cheese into 1/4-inch slices and warm up a clean, dry skillet over medium heat. Add the cheese slices in a single layer and fry on one side until browned, then turn over and brown the other side.
Here is a recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich: cook bacon, avocado slices, tomatoes, and lettuce leaves. Layer the ingredients on a cooked cheese slice and drizzle with sauce. Secure another slice of cheese on top with a toothpick and serve immediately.
Ballard offers a variety of cheeses, including Idaho Golden Greek Grilling Cheese, Aged White Cheddar Cheese, and Garlic and Herb Cheese Curds.
