Andy Montoya
Sharp cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. While milder cheddars are typically used for melting, sharper cheddars are prized for their rich flavour and are often used to add a tangy kick to sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, salads, and cheese boards. Sharp cheddar can also be melted and used in grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, and more. For those feeling adventurous, sharp cheddar can even be used in sweet dishes such as pound cake and cookies. With its bold flavour and melting capabilities, sharp cheddar is a versatile cheese that can elevate a wide range of recipes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting | Milder cheddars are better for melting |
| Flavour | Sharper cheddars are better for flavour |
| Use Cases | Sandwiches, Macaroni and Cheese, Salads, Cheese Boards, Quesadillas, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Burgers, Nachos, Grated into Chili |
| Freezing | Can be frozen and used as needed |
| Pairing | Pairs well with apples, broccoli rabe relish, and wine |
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What You'll Learn
Sharp cheddar is great for adding flavour to sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards
Sharp cheddar is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour of many dishes. One simple way to incorporate sharp cheddar into your meals is to use it in sandwiches. Its bold taste and good melting properties make it a great topping for hot or cold sandwiches. For a classic combination, try a grilled cheese sandwich, or experiment with different ingredients like pulled pork or beef in a quesadilla.
Salads are another refreshing option for showcasing sharp cheddar. Its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, so try grating it over your salad for a tangy, savoury kick. For a more indulgent option, top your salad with crispy cheese bites. You can make these by griddling sharp cheddar until crisp, then breaking it into pieces to sprinkle over your salad.
If you're entertaining, a cheese board is a wonderful way to showcase sharp cheddar. Its strong flavour and crumbly texture make it a standout choice. Serve it with complementary cheeses, such as smoked gouda, and some fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and crackers on the side.
Beyond sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards, sharp cheddar has many other culinary uses. It's a flavourful addition to burgers, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, and even desserts like pound cake. With its bold taste and good melting properties, sharp cheddar is a versatile ingredient that can enhance both savoury and sweet dishes.
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It can be melted on top of a juicy burger
Sharp cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including burgers. Melting sharp cheddar cheese on top of a juicy burger is a delicious way to elevate your cooking game. Here are some detailed tips and instructions to help you create the perfect cheddar-topped burger:
Choosing the Right Cheddar
When it comes to selecting the right sharp cheddar for your burger, consider the age of the cheese. Mature cheddar, aged one year or more, tends to have a lower moisture content and a crumbly texture, making it less ideal for melting. Instead, opt for a younger cheddar aged between two to three months, such as Cabot or Tillamook, which has a higher moisture content and will melt more easily.
Melting Techniques
There are a few techniques you can use to melt the sharp cheddar cheese on your burger:
- Place the cheese on the burger patty immediately after flipping it for the first time. Then, cover the skillet with a lid to help trap the heat and melt the cheese.
- Add a drop of water to the skillet after flipping the burger and covering it. The steam created will help melt the cheese evenly and thoroughly.
- If you're using a grill or barbecue, try placing the cheese on the patty after removing it from the heat source. The residual heat will melt the cheese without overcooking the burger.
Building Your Burger
Now, it's time to assemble your cheddar-topped burger:
- Start with a soft, rich brioche bun or any good-quality soft hamburger bun that suits your preference. Butter and toast the bun to add a crispy texture and flavor.
- Prepare your burger patty by shaping, seasoning, and searing it to perfection. A good-quality ground beef patty, preferably grass-fed and finished, with a lean ratio of 80-85%, will pair well with the sharp cheddar.
- After flipping the burger patty, add one ounce of sharp cheddar cheese and cover it to melt, creating a creamy and savory topping.
- Stack your burger with fresh toppings like tomato slices, lettuce, and dill pickle chips.
- Finish your creation by spreading ketchup, mustard, and mayo on the top bun, adding a tangy and creamy dimension to your cheddar-topped burger.
Remember, when it comes to cooking, feel free to experiment and adjust the techniques and ingredients to your taste. Enjoy crafting your delicious cheddar-topped burger!
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Use it to make quesadillas, tacos, or grilled cheese sandwiches
Sharp cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including quesadillas, tacos, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Here are some tips and recipes for each of these delicious options:
Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a simple yet satisfying dish that can be easily customized with your favorite fillings. To make a quesadilla, you'll need tortillas, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and your choice of additional ingredients such as cooked chicken, vegetables, or beans. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over one half of the tortilla, leaving enough space to be able to fold the tortilla in half. Add your desired fillings on top of the cheese and fold the tortilla, pressing down gently. Cook until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and cut into triangles or strips. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Tacos
For a unique and indulgent twist on traditional tacos, try making crispy cheese tacos using sharp cheddar cheese. Grate the cheese and form it into a rectangle on a cold nonstick skillet, ensuring the cheese extends beyond the edges of the tortilla. Turn the heat to medium-low and let the cheese start to melt. Once the cheese is almost completely melted, place a tortilla on top, allowing half of the cheese to be covered by the tortilla. Cook until the cheese turns golden brown, then remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Carefully slide a spatula under the cheese to remove the tortilla from the pan. Fill your taco with your favorite ingredients, such as scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, salsa verde, or meat.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food and sharp cheddar cheese adds a delicious, tangy flavour. To make the perfect grilled cheese, start with thick-sliced bread, such as Texas toast or sourdough. Butter the bread generously on one side and place the slices butter-side down in a skillet over low to medium-low heat. For the cheese, you can use sharp cheddar on its own or combine it with other cheeses like gouda and havarti. Add your chosen cheese to one slice of bread and cover it with the other slice. Cook the sandwich for 6-7 minutes, flipping it over halfway through, until the bread is golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted. Serve your grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of soup for the ultimate comfort food experience.
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It's perfect for mac and cheese
Sharp cheddar cheese is perfect for mac and cheese. This classic comfort food is made with bite-size pasta and a creamy sauce, baked to perfection in the oven. Sharp cheddar adds a strong flavour and a smooth texture to the dish. The sharpness of cheddar cheese comes from additional aging, which develops a richer flavour but makes the cheese drier and increases the melting point. This means that sharp cheddar is perfect for adding flavour to mac and cheese, without the need for a gooey, creamy texture.
When making mac and cheese with sharp cheddar, it is important to grate the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese does not melt as well. It is also important to bring the cheese to room temperature before adding it to the sauce, to ensure that it melts smoothly and evenly. For a more luxurious mac and cheese, you could combine sharp cheddar with other cheeses such as white cheddar, smoked gouda, gruyere, brie, goat cheese, mozzarella, or fontina.
Sharp cheddar mac and cheese is a favourite for many, as it has a lot more flavour than the boxed version and doesn't take long to make. It is a great side dish, especially at BBQs, and can be served with hamburgers or hot dogs instead of french fries. It is also a kid-friendly dish that the whole family can enjoy.
If you want to make a large batch, this dish freezes well. Simply prepare the mac and cheese, allow it to cool, and then freeze it for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, bake it in the oven until it's warm throughout.
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Bake it into a savoury pound cake or cookies
Sharp cheddar cheese can be used to make a variety of savoury baked goods, including pound cakes and cookies.
One recipe for a savoury pound cake comes from chef Dawn Burrell, who created a cake with a "savory edge" by mixing shredded mild cheddar cheese into the batter and sprinkling more on top of the cake as it bakes. The cake can be baked in a Bundt or tube pan for 25 minutes, then topped with cheese and returned to the oven for another 50 to 60 minutes. If using two loaf pans, the cake should be baked for 15 minutes, then topped with cheese and returned to the oven for another 40 to 45 minutes.
Another option is to make savoury cookies with sharp cheddar cheese. One recipe for Thyme and Cheddar Cheese Cookies involves creating a log of cookie dough, chilling it in the fridge, slicing the log into discs, shaping the discs into round cookies, and baking. These cookies can be served as appetizers or snacks and can be paired with soft cheeses, pates, relishes, caramelised onions, dips, or herbs. The baking temperature for these cookies is 350°F, and the baking time is 9 minutes for soft cookies and 12-14 minutes for crispy cookies.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some meal ideas that use sharp cheddar cheese:
- Mac and cheese
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Quesadillas
- Burgers
- Nachos
- Salads
- Cheese boards
- Cheese toasts
- Cheese straws
- Cheese sauce for baked potatoes, french fries, veggies, and chili cheese dogs
Here are some snack ideas that use sharp cheddar cheese:
- Cheese crackers
- Cheese crisps
- Cheese biscuits
- Cheese muffins
- Cheese scones
Here is a dessert idea that uses sharp cheddar cheese:
- Cheddar pound cake
