Heavenly Loaf: What Cheeses Make The Cut?

There are many different types of heavenly loaves that include cheese. For example, a meatloaf can be made with blue cheese, mushrooms, and spinach. This is a unique take on the traditional meatloaf, which usually includes ketchup, tomato paste, and brown sugar. A cheese loaf can also be made with cheddar cheese, flour, baking powder, and butter. This loaf can be served for breakfast, as a snack, or as an addition to a meal. A similar loaf can be made with buttermilk, water, yeast, sugar, butter, eggs, garlic powder, bread flour, and cheddar cheese. This loaf is twisted up with cheese and baked in a loaf pan. Another type of heavenly loaf is a strawberry cream cheese loaf, which includes cream cheese, butter, flour, baking powder, and fresh strawberries. This loaf is rich, moist, and packed with bursts of fresh strawberries.

Blue cheese, mushrooms, and spinach

Heavenly Meatloaf with Blue Cheese, Mushrooms, and Spinach

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
• ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• ½ cup plain bread crumbs
• ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 ½ pounds extra-lean ground beef
• 2 eggs

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a loaf pan.

Mix eggs, spinach, mushrooms, bread crumbs, onion, milk, blue cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper together in a large bowl. Add ground beef and mix thoroughly with your hands; pack into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 45 to 60 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

Tips

This meatloaf is best served with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Cheddar cheese variations

Cheddar cheese is a versatile variety that can be used in numerous recipes, including the heavenly cheese loaf. Here are some variations and tips to enhance your cheddar cheese experience:

• Cheddar Cheese Types: Experiment with different types of cheddar cheese to find your preferred flavour profile. Try sharp cheddar for a more pronounced taste or mild cheddar for a subtler note. You can also opt for aged cheddar, which has a more complex and intense flavour due to prolonged ripening.
• Cheddar Cheese Texture: For a heavenly cheese loaf, consider the texture of your cheddar cheese. Shredded cheddar blends seamlessly into the dough, creating a smooth and uniform consistency. You can also try using larger chunks of cheddar for a more pronounced cheese pull and a gooey, stringy texture.
• Flavour Variations: Cheddar cheese serves as a wonderful base for adding complementary flavours. Try incorporating chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick, or add garlic powder for a savoury punch. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can also be mixed into the dough or sprinkled on top for an aromatic touch.
• Cheddar Cheese Quantity: Adjust the amount of cheddar cheese to suit your taste preferences. For a more subtle cheese flavour, stick to the original amount in the recipe. However, if you're a cheese enthusiast, feel free to increase the quantity for a more indulgent and cheesy loaf.
• Pairings: The type of cheddar cheese you use can influence the ideal pairings for your heavenly cheese loaf. For instance, a sharp cheddar cheese loaf pairs beautifully with a fruity jam, such as strawberry or blueberry. On the other hand, a mild cheddar cheese loaf might be better suited for savoury spreads or dips.
• Substitutions: While the recipe calls for cheddar cheese, you can experiment with substitutions to create different flavour profiles. Consider using other hard cheeses such as pepper jack, gouda, or Colby for a unique twist. These cheeses melt well and can add interesting flavours to your loaf.

Bread and cheese pairings

The perfect marriage of bread and cheese is all about texture and balance of flavours, and can be anything from a classic to an adventurous combination. Here are some heavenly bread and cheese pairings to tantalise your taste buds.

Fresh and Tangy

A fresh, tangy goat's cheese works beautifully with a nutty loaf, bringing sharp and mellow flavours together in dramatic contrast. The nuttiness of the bread and the tartness of the cheese are a perfect match, and the addition of a handful of lightly dressed lamb's lettuce and halved crimson grapes provides a refreshing crunch.

Strong and Classic

For those who like their cheese with a bit more bite, try slivers of strong Cheddar loaded onto a chunk of classic, sweetly-flavoursome sourdough. The sharpness of the Cheddar is offset by the slight tang and airy texture of the sourdough. For an added kick, spread some red onion marmalade on your slice, or try Italian mostarda di frutta syrup for a sweet-spicy experience.

Salty and Sweet

Don't overlook fruited breads—when lightly toasted, they make the perfect base for salty cheeses like Picos Blue, Dolcelatte, or even a sharp, crumbly feta. The sweetness of the bread is a delightful contrast to the salty, creamy cheese. Add a sprinkle of earthy-tasting pea shoots for colour and a fresh, healthy crunch.

Gooey and Nutty

Rye bread is often paired with gooey, sweet, nutty Swiss cheese in the classic Reuben sandwich. The combination of flavours and textures is a delight, and the rye bread also works well with rinded cheeses such as Brie and Reblochon. For a simple yet indulgent treat, try some good butter on your rye bread with a pungent Pont l’Eveque, alongside a little gem salad and juicy cantaloupe melon.

Buttery and Mild

Inspired by the Finnish cheese Juustoleipa, or bread cheese, this 'squeaky' cheese has a very buttery flavour. Baking it forms a tasty crust similar to brown bread. This cheese is very versatile and can be served as a snack, for breakfast, or as a dessert with your favourite dip, jam, honey, walnuts, or syrup.

With so many heavenly bread and cheese pairings to choose from, why not get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favourite match?

Juustoleipa, the Finnish 'squeaky' cheese

Juustoleipa, also known as "bread cheese", is a Finnish squeaky cheese with a very buttery flavour. Baking the cheese caramelises the sugars on its outside, forming a crust similar to brown bread. It can be served as a snack, with jam, honey, walnuts or syrup, or as part of a breakfast or dessert. Juustoleipa is made from pasteurised cow's milk, salt, enzymes, and calcium chloride.

Strawberry cream cheese loaf

This heavenly loaf is rich, moist, and packed with bursts of fresh strawberries. It's a simple yet delicious treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day, whether it's alongside your morning coffee or as an after-dinner dessert.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese (1 package), softened
• ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 ½ cups sliced fresh strawberries

Method:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease two 8.5x4.5-inch bread loaf pans.

Slice the strawberries into thin, bite-sized pieces and dab off any excess moisture with a paper towel. Set them aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add 1 cup of sugar, 2 eggs, and vanilla. Beat the mixture until it's light and airy.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Once thoroughly mixed, slowly add the dry ingredients and 1 cup of milk to the wet mixture.

Gently fold the strawberry pieces into the batter.

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pans and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. To prevent over-browning, cover the loaves with foil after 35-40 minutes.

Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing and serving.

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf is perfect for gifting or indulging in all by yourself. It's a versatile treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is sure to become a favourite in your baking repertoire.

Frequently asked questions