Bushra Griffith
Fontina cheese is a semi-soft, Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, pale yellow colour and a nutty, earthy, and buttery flavour. It is known for its excellent melting properties and is used in a variety of dishes, including baked dishes, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, soups, and pastas. It is also used in fondue and as a dip for bread. When purchasing Fontina cheese, it is recommended to buy a block and grate it freshly, as it melts better and has a stronger flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Semi-soft, Italian cow's milk cheese |
| Origin | Aosta Valley, Italy |
| Colour | Creamy, pale yellow |
| Flavour | Nutty, earthy, buttery |
| Texture | Melts well |
| Recipes | Baked Fontina, Creamy Fontina Cheese Pasta, Potato Tart, Potato Tots, Chicken Breasts, Breakfast Calzones, Pizza, Fondue, Welsh Rarebit, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, White Truffle Ravioli |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Can be frozen for a few months |
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What You'll Learn
Fontina cheese pasta
Fontina is a traditional Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It has a semi-soft texture and a mild, buttery, nutty flavour, making it a favourite ingredient worldwide. Its smooth melt and creamy texture make it perfect for sauces, dips, and pasta.
For a more indulgent dish, a fontina cheese sauce can be made by melting butter and combining it with heavy cream, spices, and seasonings. Fontina cheese and parmesan are then stirred through until melted, creating a rich sauce. This sauce can be poured over pasta and baked with a panko, parmesan, parsley, and garlic salt topping.
Fontina cheese is a versatile ingredient that can elevate a simple pasta dish. Its creamy texture and mild flavour make it a unique and special ingredient, perfect for a weeknight meal or a fancy feast.
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Baked Fontina garlic cheese dip
Fontina cheese is a great ingredient for a baked garlic cheese dip. This dip is a perfect appetizer for game days, parties, and holidays. It is easy to make and can be prepared in under 10 minutes.
To make Baked Fontina garlic cheese dip, you will need Italian Fontina cheese, garlic, herbs, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is recommended to use Italian Fontina cheese, as other varieties may not melt as well. You can use a cast iron pan to bake the dip, as it retains heat well and keeps the dip hot for a long time. If you don't have a cast iron pan, you can use any broiler-safe dish, except glass.
Start by cubing the cheese and chopping the garlic and herbs. Spread the cheese out in the bottom of the pan and drizzle olive oil over it. Mix the garlic and herbs in a small bowl and sprinkle the mixture over the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place the pan under the broiler for about 6 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Serve the dip immediately with crusty bread, toasted sliced bread, crackers, wheat thins, or sliced veggies.
You can also transfer the cheese to a bread bowl after baking, but it won't stay hot for long. A fondue pot with a low flame or an electric one would also work well to keep the dip warm. This Baked Fontina garlic cheese dip is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and will have your guests asking for more!
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Fontina cheese in sandwiches
Fontina cheese is an Italian cow's milk cheese that is semi-soft and creamy pale yellow in colour. It has a nutty, earthy, and buttery flavour and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and can be used in a variety of sandwich recipes.
One option for a Fontina cheese sandwich is to make a grilled cheese sandwich. You can simply place sliced or cubed Fontina cheese between two slices of bread and grill it in a pan or sandwich press until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. You can also add other ingredients to the sandwich, such as sliced tomatoes, spinach, or avocado, to add more flavour and texture.
Another option is to make a Baked Fontina Garlic Cheese Dip and serve it with bread or crackers on the side. To make the dip, you can bake Fontina cheese in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish with some olive oil and herbs until it is melted and bubbly. This can then be spread on bread or crackers to make delicious and cheesy sandwiches.
Fontina cheese also works well in combination with other cheeses, such as cheddar or mozzarella. You can experiment with different ratios of cheeses to find your preferred taste and texture. For example, you can try a combination of 50% Fontina and 50% mozzarella, or 60% mozzarella, 30% Fontina, and 10% smoked cheddar. These combinations can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches or melted into a fondue for dipping bread.
In addition to sandwiches, Fontina cheese can also be used in a variety of other dishes, such as pasta, pizza, mac and cheese, and potato dishes. It adds a creamy texture and nutty flavour to any dish it is added to. When using Fontina cheese in recipes, it is generally recommended to grate the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese, as this will result in a fresher and stronger flavour.
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Fontina cheese on pizza
Fontina cheese is a great option for pizza, offering a creamy texture and a nutty flavour. It is a semi-soft cheese that melts well, making it perfect for pizza toppings.
Fontina is a versatile cheese that can be used in various pizza combinations. One popular recipe is to pair it with caramelised onions, creating a sweet and savoury flavour profile. The onions are first cooked until soft and golden, then added to the pizza base along with the cheese. This combination is then baked in the oven, resulting in a delicious, golden-brown pizza with a crispy crust.
Fontina cheese also works well with other toppings. For a more indulgent option, it can be combined with prosciutto, creating a salty, savoury flavour. The cheese can also be used as a base for other ingredients, such as arugula, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper, which add a fresh, tangy twist to the pizza.
For those who enjoy a more complex flavour profile, Fontina can be used in a cast-iron skillet pizza with caramelised onions and other toppings of choice. This method creates a crispy, chewy crust and ensures the cheese melts evenly, resulting in a restaurant-quality pizza at home.
Fontina cheese is a delicious and versatile option for pizza, offering a creamy texture and nutty flavour that pairs well with various toppings. Whether used as a base or combined with other cheeses, it is a great choice for those looking to elevate their pizza night.
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Fontina cheese in soups
Fontina is an Italian cow's milk cheese, semi-soft in texture, with a creamy, pale yellow colour. It is known for its nutty, earthy, and buttery flavour, and its excellent melting properties. Fontina is a versatile cheese that works well in hot dishes, such as soups.
Fontina cheese can be incorporated into soups in a variety of ways to enhance their flavour and texture. Here are some ideas and recipes for using Fontina cheese in soups:
Fontina Cheese Soup
Create a unique and flavoursome soup by incorporating grated Fontina into a cheese soup base. The cheese will add a rich, nutty taste and a creamy texture to the soup. This soup can be served as a comforting and indulgent dish, perfect for a cold day.
Baked Fontina Soup
This recipe combines the creamy texture of Fontina with olive oil and herbs, creating a decadent and aromatic soup. The cheese is baked until melted, resulting in a thick and indulgent soup. This dish can be served with crusty bread on the side for dipping.
Fontina and Vegetable Soup
Fontina cheese can be added to vegetable soups to enhance their flavour and provide a creamy texture. Steamed vegetables such as asparagus, peas, or green beans can be pureed with chicken or vegetable broth and Fontina cheese to create a healthy and tasty soup.
Fontina and Broccoli Soup
Combining Fontina cheese with broccoli in a soup creates a delicious and nutritious dish. The cheese adds a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavour that pairs well with the broccoli. This soup can be served as a starter or a light meal, accompanied by crusty bread.
Fontina cheese adds a unique flavour and creamy texture to soups, making it a versatile ingredient for creating comforting and indulgent dishes. Its excellent melting properties make it a perfect choice for adding richness and depth of flavour to a variety of soup recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
Fontina is an Italian cow's milk cheese, semi-soft in texture and creamy, pale yellow in colour. It has a nutty, earthy, and buttery flavour and is known for its excellent melting properties.
Fontina is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is commonly used in hot dishes, such as baked fontina, a combination of fontina, olive oil, and herbs served as a dip for bread. It can also be used in pasta, pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fondue. Fontina pairs well with meats like bacon and chicken, and can be used as an alternative to mac and cheese.
Fontina cheese should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it is ready to be used. It can be stored for up to 10 days in the fridge and can be frozen for a few months.
