Kamil Perry
Cheese curds are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are fresh cheese nuggets that can be eaten as a snack or used in cooking. They are a popular ingredient in the American Midwest and Canada, where they are famously used in poutine, a dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy. Cheese curds can also be fried, added to salads, or used as a topping for pizzas, burgers, and nachos. They can also be skewered and used as a garnish for cocktails or added to sandwiches, such as a grilled cheese with bacon and onion marmalade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| As a snack | Cheese curds can be eaten as a snack on their own |
| Salads | Cheese curds can be added to salads, especially pasta salads with ingredients like salami, olives, or pickled peppers |
| Poutine | Cheese curds are commonly used in poutine, a Canadian dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy |
| Nachos | Cheese curds can be used in place of shredded cheese on nachos |
| Burgers | Cheese curds can be used as a topping for burgers |
| Pizza | Cheese curds can be sprinkled on top of pizza |
| Appetizers | Cheese curd skewers can be served as appetizers or finger food |
| Cocktails | Cheese curds can be used to garnish cocktails, such as a Bloody Mary |
| Grilled cheese sandwiches | Cheese curds can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, paired with ingredients like bacon, aged cheddar, and red onion marmalade |
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What You'll Learn
As a salad topping
Cheese curds are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Their mild flavour and slight saltiness make them a good pairing with sweet foods, and they can add protein and calcium to your meal.
When adding cheese curds to a salad, you can simply toss them in as they are, or you can fry them first for a crispy texture. To fry cheese curds, toss them in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs before frying in oil for 45 seconds to 2 minutes until golden. You can also toss them in hot sauce for a spicy kick. Cheese curds can be added to any salad, but they work particularly well with fresh, crisp vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and carrots. They also pair well with hot peppers and pepperoncini.
For a simple salad, combine your chosen salad ingredients and cheese curds in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, add your choice of dressing, toss, and serve. Cheese curds go well with a variety of dressings, including Olive Garden Italian, Balsamic Vinaigrette, and a creamy blue cheese dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and crumbled blue cheese.
For a heartier meal, you can make a fried cheese curd salad. Spread your chosen salad ingredients on a platter, drizzle with dressing, then top with fried cheese curds. Sprinkle with herbs and seeds for extra flavour.
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As a pizza topping
Cheese curds are a great topping for pizza, adding a unique taste and texture. They melt beautifully, creating a gooey, creamy, and salty flavour bomb. They can be used as a topping or even stuffed into the crust for an extra indulgent treat.
One popular way to use cheese curds on pizza is to make a poutine pizza. Poutine is a Canadian dish of French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds, so a poutine pizza is a fun twist on the classic. To make this, simply top your pizza dough with a thick, dark gravy, crispy French fries, and lots of melty cheese curds. You can also add some shredded mozzarella cheese first to help provide even coverage and a chicken or beef stock. Bake it in a super hot oven until everything melts together, and then give it a final drizzle of gravy and a garnish of fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
Another option is to make a pan pizza with a flatbread crust. Spread ranch dressing on the crust, then add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, chopped bacon, and cheese curds. Top with jalapenos and red onion, and bake until the cheese is melted. Finish it off with fresh cilantro.
For a stuffed crust pizza, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then, add flour, oil, and a few handfuls of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Stuff the crust with cheese and top with more cheese curds and your favourite toppings.
Cheese curds are a delicious and fun way to change up your pizza game, so get creative and enjoy!
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As a burger topping
Cheese curds can be used as a topping for burgers, as evidenced by the popularity of the "CurderBurger", which is a mixture of white and yellow cheese curds surrounded by breadcrumbs and deep-fried. The CurderBurger is often served with ketchup, mustard, mayo, and pickles. Some people prefer to add extra ketchup under the burger patty to prevent dryness.
You can also make a cheese curd bacon burger by mixing ground chuck, chopped cheese curds, and bacon in a bowl, shaping them into patties, and grilling them. Toppings for this burger can include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, American cheese, chipotle BBQ seasoning, and mayo.
Another option is to create a poutine burger, which features fried potatoes, cheese curds, and gravy. To make the fried potatoes, cut a potato into matchsticks and rinse repeatedly to remove surface starches, resulting in a crisp texture that contrasts with the juicy burger patty.
Instead of using cheese curds as a topping, you can also stuff them inside the burger patty. This variation is known as the "Juicy Lucy" in Minnesota and the "Cheese Curd Juicy Lucy" in Wisconsin.
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In a grilled cheese sandwich
Cheese curds are small chunks of just-made cheese that hasn't been pressed into a shape. They're milky and delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a grilled cheese sandwich with cheese curds:
Ingredients
- Cheese curds (white cheese curds are recommended)
- Bread (crusty or rustic bread, such as French, Italian, Sourdough, or a loaf with pecan-flax seed)
- Butter or garlic herb spread
- Cheese (cheddar, preferably aged, or American)
- Optional fillings: bacon, red onion marmalade, chilli, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, cranberries, or hummus
Method
- Start by bringing your cheese curds and cheese to room temperature, so they will melt more easily.
- If desired, cook your bacon until crisp, and set it aside on a paper towel.
- Butter the outside of your bread slices, or spread with a garlic herb spread.
- Place a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Carefully place a slice of bread, buttered-side down, onto the skillet.
- Add a slice of cheese, followed by a layer of cheese curds.
- If using, add your bacon and any other desired fillings, such as red onion marmalade or hummus.
- Top with another slice of bread, buttered-side up.
- Grill your sandwich for around 3 minutes on each side, or until browned, flipping carefully.
Tips
- Cheese curds don't melt easily, so they work best in combination with a melting cheese like cheddar.
- Covering the skillet with a baking sheet can help to build up heat and aid the melting process.
- Adding a couple of drops of water and putting a lid over the pan can also help to melt the cheese curds.
- If using bacon, a full-bodied white wine with good acidity, like Chardonnay, pairs well with this rich sandwich.
Enjoy your grilled cheese sandwich, packed with the gooey goodness of cheese curds!
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As a cocktail garnish
Cheese curds are a versatile ingredient that can add flavour and texture to a variety of dishes, including cocktails. While cheese-topped cocktails may sound unusual, they are quite common in Greece, where people have been drinking wine with grated goat cheese since Homer's time.
One way to use cheese curds as a cocktail garnish is to skewer them. Alternating white and yellow curds on a skewer can add visual appeal to a Bloody Mary or a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. You can also add other ingredients to the skewer, such as basil and a cherry tomato for a Caprese-style garnish, or grapes and fresh mint for a Middle Eastern-inspired garnish.
Another option is to stuff a small cheese curd inside a green olive and use it to garnish a martini. Olives stuffed with bleu cheese can also be used to top a dirty martini.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with fat-washing alcohol with cheese to create unique flavours for cocktails. Try letting cheese rinds or softer chunks of Camembert sit with gin or brandy, and then use the resulting infusion to upgrade classics like Negronis and Sidecars.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese curds are versatile and can be added to many dishes, including salads, pasta, pizza, and burgers. They can also be fried and served as a snack.
Cheese curds are a great addition to salads as they hold their shape and won't smear or run. They work well in pasta salads, especially with ingredients like salami, olives, or pickled peppers. You can also try a Middle Eastern-inspired fattoush salad with pita bread, vegetables, and herbs.
Yes, cheese curds can be used as a garnish for cocktails. For example, you can skewer a cheese curd with a basil leaf and a cherry tomato for a Caprese-style garnish, or stuff a cheese curd inside a green olive for a martini.
