Randy Chandler
Cheddar cheese is a staple in many dishes, from sandwiches to soups and casseroles. It can be sliced, grated, or melted to add a savoury kick to any meal. Cheddar cheese is also a versatile ingredient in baking, adding flavour and texture to biscuits, scones, and even cookies. For those feeling adventurous, it is possible to make your own cheddar cheese at home, with just a few ingredients and some simple tools. This involves heating milk to 85°F, adding culture, and allowing it to ferment before adding rennet and forming curds. For those who enjoy cooking, there are countless recipes to try that include cheddar cheese, from baked macaroni and cheese to stuffed burgers and beyond.
Characteristics and their values for a recipe including cheddar cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Cheddar |
| Texture | Ooey-gooey, crispy, creamy, firm, dry, crumb-topped |
| Taste | Savory, spicy, sweet, indulgent, rich |
| Ingredients | Milk, butter, flour, salt, garlic, thyme, slab bacon, jalapeño, cayenne pepper, avocado, chorizo, baby kale, buttermilk, eggs, calcium chloride, culture, rennet, goat milk, cow milk, beer, brandy, apples, ground mustard, hot pepper sauce |
| Tools | Saucepan, pot, cheesecloth, cloth, oven, stove |
| Preparation methods | Stirring, heating, melting, sautéing, baking, griddling, whisking, folding, pressing, salting, draining |
| Time | 10-15 minutes, 1 hour, 2-3 hours, 2 minutes, 1-2 minutes |
| Temperature | 85-90°F |
| Calories | 93 calories, 688 calories, 267 calories, 272 calories, 199 calories, 527 calories, 159 calories, 24mg cholesterol, 317mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate |
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What You'll Learn
How to make your own cheddar cheese at home
Making your own cheddar cheese at home is a lengthy process that requires patience and precision. Here is a step-by-step guide to crafting your own homemade cheddar cheese:
Ingredients and Equipment:
- Good-quality, full-fat milk (raw or pasteurized)
- Cheese culture
- Calcium chloride (optional)
- Animal rennet
- Salt
- Cheesecloth
- Lard, coconut oil, or butter
- Thermometer
- Large pot
- Spoon
- Knife
Step 1: Heating the Milk
Heat three gallons of milk in a large pot to 85°F (or 30°C), stirring frequently. Adding calcium chloride at this stage is optional but can be done while the milk is heating up.
Step 2: Adding the Culture
Once the milk reaches 85°F, add the cheese culture. Use an up-and-down motion to stir it in, then cover the pot and let it ferment for about an hour.
Step 3: Forming the Curds
Add the rennet to the mixture, continuing to use the up-and-down motion to ensure it reaches all the milk. Remove from the heat and let it set for about an hour, or until the whey begins to separate from the curds. Cut the curds into ¼-inch cubes with a knife and let them set for another 5 minutes without stirring.
Step 4: Cheddaring
Gently stir the curds to prevent them from clumping and to allow them to float under the whey. Fold and tighten a cloth around the curds and drain the whey. Keep the curds warm (85-90°F) and turn them at 15-30 minute intervals for the next 2-3 hours, allowing more whey to drain. The curds will develop a slightly acidic flavor.
Step 5: Salting and Pressing
Break the curds into small pieces, from thumb to walnut-sized. Add salt at a rate of 2% of cheese salt to the weight of the fresh curds. For example, if the curds weigh 3 lbs, add 0.96 oz of salt. About 0.5% will wash away as the salt draws out moisture.
Step 6: Aging
Decide how to "dress" your cheddar for aging. Common methods include clothbound, waxed, or vacuum-sealed. For clothbound, soak cheesecloth in lard, coconut oil, or butter, and apply it to the cheese. This helps retain moisture and allows the cheese to breathe, developing a natural rind. For waxed cheddar, dip the cheese in melted wax to create a waterproof barrier. Age your cheddar at 52-56°F and 80-85% moisture, turning the cheese weekly to maintain even moisture. The aging time can be 3-9 months or longer, depending on the desired dryness and complexity of flavor.
Crafting your own cheddar cheese at home is a rewarding experience, and with time and precision, you'll be able to enjoy your very own homemade cheese!
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Cheddar cheese sauce
This delicious, creamy cheddar cheese sauce is a perfect addition to any meal. It can be used as a dip for nachos, a topping for vegetables, or mixed with cooked macaroni for a classic, comforting mac and cheese. It is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and can be ready in less than 10 minutes!
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
- Milk
- Cheddar Cheese
Method:
First, melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add in the flour and salt, and whisk until a paste forms. Slowly pour in the milk, stirring continuously, and cook until fully combined—this should take around 2 minutes. Finally, add in the cheese and stir until melted. This should take around 1-2 minutes. And there you have it—a quick and easy cheddar cheese sauce!
Tips:
- For a healthier option, you can substitute milk with whipping cream or another milk alternative.
- This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it in a saucepan over low heat when needed.
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Savoury bakes with cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury bakes. Here are some ideas for bakes that feature cheddar cheese as a key ingredient:
Cheddar Biscuits
For a savoury kick, try adding grated sharp cheddar to your biscuit dough. You can also bake the biscuits on top of a pile of cheddar to create crispy, lacy edges.
Mexican Cornbread
This is a delicious and easy recipe that can be made in a large batch. It includes chicken, broccoli, and cheddar cheese, topped with a celery seed mixture.
Brunch Cornbread Cups
Bake eggs in cornbread cups and top with a cheddar sauce and extra cheese. This is a cute and tasty meal-in-one option for brunch.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that can be baked and topped with crumbs for extra texture. You can also add ground mustard and hot pepper sauce to give it a spicy kick.
Savoury Scones
For a unique twist, try making savoury scones with cheddar cheese, sage, and apple. These mini treats are perfect for a fall brunch or party.
Cheese Sauce
A homemade cheddar cheese sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, such as nachos, vegetables, or tossed with cooked macaroni. It can also be used as a topping for pizza.
Other Ideas
Cheddar cheese can also be used in stuffed burgers, quesadillas, soups, sandwiches, casseroles, and more. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your favourite savoury bakes with cheddar!
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Salads with grated cheddar
There are many ways to incorporate grated cheddar into a salad. Here are some ideas for salads with grated cheddar:
Kale Salad with Apples and Cheddar
This salad combines kale, almonds, apple, and cheddar in a large bowl. For the dressing, whisk together lemon juice, salt, garlic, and olive oil. Toss the salad with the dressing, and sprinkle Parmesan over the top. This salad is best when tossed with the dressing about 15 minutes before serving. To prepare the kale, use the most tender kale you can find and cut it into very thin filaments or chop it very finely.
Creamy Broccoli, Bacon, and Cheddar Salad
This salad includes broccoli, bacon, cheddar, and almonds, all mixed together and finished with a creamy, sweet, and tangy dressing on top.
Macaroni Salad
This salad is a summer pasta salad. It includes peppers, celery, onions, chunks of cheddar cheese, and elbow noodles, all covered in a tangy sour cream dressing.
Crispy Cheese Burritos with Chorizo and Eggs
This recipe includes a full pound of grated cheddar. It features a combination of chorizo-studded black beans, creamy avocado, and eggs with griddled cheese.
Mexican Cornbread
This cornbread features grated cheddar and is served with a Caesar salad.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This recipe uses extra-sharp grated cheddar cheese for more flavor.
Biscuits
These biscuits include grated sharp cheddar mixed into the dough. They are baked on top of a pile of cheddar, resulting in crispy, lacy "feet" that form around the edges and add beautiful caramelization.
Burgers
Cheddar cheese can be used as a topping for burgers or as the filling, oozing out of the patty with each bite.
Cocktails Cookies
These cookies use grated sharp cheddar and smoked Gouda, with a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
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Hearty meals with cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create hearty and indulgent meals. Here are some recipe ideas for hearty meals with cheddar:
Cheddar Cheese Soup
A comforting and indulgent meal, this soup combines two kinds of cheddar—sharp yellow and smoked—with slab bacon, garlic, jalapeño, and thyme. The result is a rich and flavourful dish, perfect for a winter evening. Serve with garlic-rubbed toasts for an extra special touch.
Buttermilk Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and the addition of buttermilk and baby kale takes this dish to the next level. Chef Alexander Smalls' version of this classic involves a béchamel sauce enriched with buttermilk and grated cheddar, with tender baby kale leaves adding a subtle earthy flavour.
Crispy Cheese Burritos with Chorizo and Eggs
This hearty breakfast or brunch option combines the crispiness of griddled cheese with the spice of chorizo-studded black beans and the richness of creamy avocado. It is a delicious and indulgent way to start the day and is sure to keep you full until lunch.
Cheddar Biscuits with Chicken and Broccoli
This all-in-one dinner is a family favourite for a reason. Golden biscuits are filled with a hearty mixture of chicken, broccoli, and cheddar cheese, and topped with a celery seed mixture. It is a complete meal that is sure to satisfy everyone's cravings.
Mexican Cornbread
This Mexican-inspired cornbread is a delicious and hearty option for a potluck or gathering. The cornbread is filled with cheddar cheese and topped with more cheese, resulting in a gooey and indulgent treat. It pairs well with a variety of dishes and can be served as a side or a main course.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A classic comfort food, macaroni and cheese is elevated with the addition of extra-sharp cheddar cheese. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and has been a favourite for years. The crumb-topped version adds a crunchy texture to the creamy and cheesy dish.
These recipes showcase the versatility of cheddar cheese and how it can be used to create hearty and indulgent meals. Whether it's a comforting soup, a crispy burrito, or a classic macaroni and cheese, cheddar adds a savoury kick to any dish.
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