Cheese Pairings For Cheddar Jalapeño Bread: A Spicy, Savory Delight

Cheddar jalapeño bread is a delicious, spicy, and savoury bread that can be made in a variety of ways. The bread is often baked in a Dutch oven and can be served with a variety of dips, spreads, and main dishes. The bread is best served warm and it can be paired with a variety of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or Colby. The jalapeño and cheddar combination is a popular one and can be enhanced by adding other ingredients such as garlic, onion, or even serrano peppers. The bread has a soft, fluffy texture on the inside and a crusty exterior.

How to make the bread

Ingredients:

• 600 grams of all-purpose flour (about 4 cups), lightly packed and levelled off
• 2 cups of lukewarm water
• 1½ teaspoons of salt
• 1 packet of yeast (7g or 2¼ teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons of jalapeño rings, drained of excess liquid and patted dry
• 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, add the water and stir in the yeast (make sure the water is warm but not too hot, as it will not bloom properly if it is too cold or hot).
• Let the yeast bloom for about 5 minutes – it will have a light foam on it.
• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour and salt) with a spoon.
• Make a small well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Once the yeast has proofed, slowly pour it into the dry ingredients.
• Mix by hand or with a spoon. The dough will begin to come together and pull away from the bowl.
• If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments (about 1 tablespoon at a time). If the dough is too dry, add more water (1 tablespoon at a time).
• Once the dough has come together, cover it and let it rise until it doubles in size (about 1.5 to 2 hours).
• Uncover the dough and poke it a few times with your finger. If the dough has risen correctly, it should indent under the pressure of your fingers and slowly deflate.
• Gently scoop up the dough and remove it from the sides of the bowl. Place it back in the bowl, cover, and let it rise for another 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius or gas mark 8). Place your Dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid in the oven to heat up.
• Generously flour a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer the dough to the parchment paper and, with floured hands, shape it into a ball.
• Place the dough on the parchment paper and sprinkle the top lightly with flour.
• Quickly fold in the shredded cheese, making sure to incorporate it throughout the dough.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Remove the preheated Dutch oven or pot from the oven.
• Uncover the dough and carefully transfer it to the Dutch oven or pot, with or without parchment paper beneath. If the bottom of your cooking vessel is not coated with enamel, keep the parchment paper beneath the dough to prevent sticking.
• Cover with a lid and return to the oven.
• Bake the bread for 45 minutes covered, then another 10 to 15 minutes uncovered, until the dough is baked through and golden brown on top.
• Cool slightly before slicing and serving.

This bread goes well with dips, spreads, and main dishes. Some serving suggestions include:

• Homemade honey butter
• Garlic and bacon spinach dip
• Slow cooker chicken chili
• Creamy chicken noodle soup
• Crab soup
• Parmesan garlic hummus
• Super saucy slow cooker BBQ meatballs
• Mac and cheese
• Spicy nacho cheese sauce

What to serve with the bread

There are many options for what to serve with your cheddar jalapeno bread. Here are some ideas:

Dips and Spreads

• Honey butter
• Garlic and bacon spinach dip
• Parmesan garlic hummus
• Nacho cheese sauce

Main Dishes

• Slow cooker chicken chilli
• Creamy chicken noodle soup
• Crab soup
• BBQ meatballs
• Mac and cheese
• Grilled cheese sandwiches

How to store the bread

To store cheddar jalapeno bread, it is best to keep it at room temperature. Wrap the loaf in plastic or aluminium foil and enjoy it within 2-3 days. If you are not planning to eat the bread within a few days, it is best to freeze it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze the bread:

• Let the bread cool completely.
• Wrap the loaf (or a portion of it) in aluminium foil, then store it in a sealed plastic bag.
• Place the bread in a colder part of the freezer, away from the door.
• When you are ready to enjoy the bread, remove it from the freezer and unwrap it. Store it in a zipped plastic bag at room temperature. Or, to enjoy it right away, remove it from the plastic bag. Then, while it is still in the foil wrapping, heat it up in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 450°F.

If you want to store the bread after you have cut it, you can add the bread, cut side down, to a paper bag.

How to make the bread spicier

To make your cheddar jalapeno bread spicier, you can add more jalapenos to the recipe. You can also add other spicy peppers, such as serrano peppers, or leave the seeds in the jalapenos. If you want to add even more spice, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the dough. Another option is to use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, or a combination of the two. Finally, you can add some spices to the dough, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes.

• When preparing the jalapenos, leave the seeds in or add some extra jalapenos to the dough.
• Add some finely chopped serrano peppers or other spicy peppers to the dough along with the jalapenos.
• Mix in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to add some extra heat.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar, or a combination of the two. Pepper jack cheese will add a nice kick to the bread.
• Add some spices to the dough, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes.
• If you want a milder spice level, you can use pickled jalapenos or "tamed" jalapenos.
• If you want a stronger spice level, you can use fresh jalapenos or increase the amount of jalapenos in the recipe.

How to make the bread cheesier

To make your cheddar jalapeño bread cheesier, you can add more cheese to the dough, sprinkle some on top before baking, or do both!

Adding More Cheese to the Dough

When preparing the dough, you can increase the amount of cheddar in the recipe. For a single loaf, you can increase the amount of cheddar from 1 cup to 2 cups. If you're making two loaves, you can double the amount of cheese in the recipe.

You can also experiment with different types of cheese. Try using a combination of shredded and cubed cheese. The cubed cheese will create pockets of melted cheese throughout the loaf. You can use other shreddable cheeses like Colby, Pepper Jack, or mild cheddar.

Sprinkling Cheese on Top

Before baking, you can sprinkle some grated cheese on top of the dough. This will give your bread an extra cheesy kick and a golden crust. You can use the same type of cheese that's in the dough or try a different variety to add another layer of flavor.

Other Tips for a Cheesier Bread

• Use a block of sharp cheddar and grate it yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese for better flavor and texture.
• Make sure your dough has enough time to rise. This will give the yeast time to work and help the bread become light and airy.
• If you want to add even more cheese, you can serve the bread with some warm, melted cheese on the side for dipping.

By following these tips and adjusting the recipe to your taste, you can create a cheddar jalapeño bread that's cheesier and even more delicious!

Frequently asked questions