Cheesy Bread Delights: Creative Twists On Classic Combos

what to cook with bread and cheese

Bread and cheese are two staple foods that can be combined to create a variety of dishes. One popular option is garlic cheese toast, which can be made in the oven or on the stovetop. Another option is to create a cheese bread, which involves baking dough with cheese to create a delicious snack or side dish. For those looking for a more unique option, bread cheese, a type of Finnish cheese that resembles a piece of toasted bread, can be grilled, pan-fried, or baked and served with crackers or bread. With a little creativity, bread and cheese can be transformed into a multitude of tasty treats.

Characteristics and their values:

Characteristics Values
Type of dish Snack, appetizer, side dish, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert
Ingredients Bread, cheese, butter, garlic, herbs, chili flakes, olive oil, eggs, sugar, crab meat, shrimp, black olives, artichoke hearts, ham, cream cheese, berries, pineapple, cheddar cheese, turkey, bacon, tomato, sauce, reindeer/cow's milk, honey, jam, nuts, crackers
Cuisine Italian, Indian, Finnish, Scandinavian, South Asian
Diet Vegetarian, vegan, keto-friendly
Cooking methods Baking, grilling, pan-frying, microwaving, stir-frying
Equipment Oven, grill, charcoal grill, grill pan, non-stick skillet, pan, pot, paper, baking tray, kettle, stovetop, tawa
Time Quick, make-ahead
Characteristics Chewy, gooey, crunchy, crispy, soft, silky, smooth, toasted, browned, golden, melted
Serving suggestions Soup, crackers, fruits, vegetables, charcuterie board, coffee

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Cheesy garlic bread

Ingredients:

  • Bread ( French bread, Italian bread, sourdough, or any crusty bread of your choice)
  • Butter (softened, salted)
  • Garlic (powder, cloves, or both)
  • Italian seasoning
  • Cheese (Colby Jack, mozzarella, or a blend of your choice)
  • Parsley (fresh, chopped, optional)

Optional Ingredients:

  • Mayonnaise
  • Sugar
  • Scallions
  • Black pepper
  • Basil

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut your chosen bread in half lengthwise and place it on a baking sheet. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, garlic powder, minced garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, and any optional ingredients you wish to include. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.

Next, sprinkle your chosen cheese generously over the buttered surfaces. You can use a single type of cheese or a blend of cheeses for a more complex flavour. Place the baking sheet with the prepared bread into the preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the butter is melted and bubbly.

For an extra crispy texture and golden colour, you can broil the top for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, remove the cheesy garlic bread from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Cut into slices, serve warm, and enjoy the delicious, cheesy goodness!

Tips:

Feel free to experiment with different types of bread and cheese to find your favourite combination. You can also add other ingredients to the topping mixture, such as chopped black olives, artichoke hearts, shrimp, or crab meat, to create your signature cheesy garlic bread!

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Grilled cheese sandwiches

Ingredients

  • Bread (sandwich bread, or bread of your choice)
  • Cheese (cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, or any variety of your choice)
  • Butter
  • Optional: garlic, herbs, chilli flakes, or any other toppings/fillings of your choice

Method

  • Butter your bread slices on one side.
  • Toast the bread in a pan or oven until crisp. If using a pan, toast the bread on one side first, then flip it over.
  • Add cheese to the toasted side of the bread. If using toppings like garlic, herbs, or chilli flakes, add them now.
  • Cover the bread with a lid or place it in an oven and toast on low heat until the cheese melts. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
  • If desired, add more toppings or fillings to your sandwich, such as meat, vegetables, or sauces.
  • Place the other slice of bread on top of the melted cheese to complete your grilled cheese sandwich.

Tips

  • Grilled cheese sandwiches go well with a bowl of tomato soup.
  • You can also experiment with different types of bread and cheese to find your favourite combination.
  • For a crispier sandwich, butter both sides of the bread before toasting.

cycheese

Cheese bread

Ingredients

To make cheese bread, you'll need the following basic ingredients:

  • Flour (preferably bread flour for a higher rise)
  • Yeast (instant or active dry yeast)
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Cheese (cheddar, gruyere, Monterey Jack, Colby, or any melting cheese except mozzarella)

You can also add herbs to the topping and include other ingredients like chopped black olives, chopped canned artichoke hearts, minced shrimp, or crab meat.

Method

Here's a general method for making cheese bread:

  • Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl using a rubber spatula. You can also add sugar to the mixture if desired.
  • If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in water first before adding to the dry ingredients.
  • Add shredded or grated cheese to the dough and mix well. You can use about 2 cups of cheese for a generous amount.
  • Shape the dough into a uniform round or oval shape. It doesn't need to be perfect, as the dough will expand and rise in the oven.
  • Preheat the oven to 240°C/450°F (220°C fan-forced).
  • Place the dough in a loaf pan or a baking tray. If using a loaf pan, you can stuff small squares of extra cheese inside the dough before baking.
  • Bake the bread for about 35-40 minutes. If using a loaf pan, bake until the bread is golden brown and cooked through. If the cheese on top starts to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
  • Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This step is important to allow the bread to finish cooking and dry out slightly.

Customization

You can customize your cheese bread by using different types of cheese or adding extra ingredients:

  • For a sweeter bread, you can add an egg and a spoonful of sugar to the dough to create a brioche-like flavor.
  • Try using different combinations of cheese, such as half sharp cheddar and half gruyere, or Colby for its melting qualities.
  • Add herbs to the topping for extra flavor.
  • Include chopped black olives, artichoke hearts, seafood, or other ingredients to the dough for a heartier bread.

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French toast casserole

To make French toast casserole, you will need a fairly large loaf of bread—enough to make about 10 cups once cubed. You can use any good-quality loaf, such as a French loaf, sourdough, ciabatta, or challah. Stale bread is ideal, as it absorbs the custard better and becomes soft and velvety. Cut the loaf into 1-inch cubes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. You can also add a little freshly grated nutmeg if you'd like. Stir in the bread cubes until they are fully coated with the custard mixture. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with butter and spoon the soaked bread into the dish.

For a crisp topping, whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the bread. Bake the casserole at 350-375°F for about 30-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown. Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle dried cranberries and dust powdered sugar on top, if desired. Serve with maple syrup.

You can assemble the casserole the night before and bake it in the morning, or even make it ahead and freeze it. The baked casserole reheats well, although the chunks of bread on top may lose some of their crunch.

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Bread cheese

Bread and cheese are two staple foods that can be combined to create a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for what to cook with bread and cheese:

Cheesy Bread

Cheesy bread is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the best of garlic bread and pizza. To make it, simply spread a cheese mixture over bread slices and broil until nicely browned. You can also get creative and mix in other ingredients, such as chopped black olives, canned artichoke hearts, or seafood. Cheesy bread is a great option for feeding a crowd and can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish.

Garlic Cheese Toast

Garlic cheese toast is another quick and tasty option that can be made on a stovetop or in an oven. Butter one or both sides of bread slices, depending on your preferred method, and toast until crisp. Then, add cheese, herbs, and chili flakes. Cover and toast on low heat until the cheese melts. Garlic cheese toast is a perfect evening snack and goes well with soup.

Breakfast Casserole

For a heartier option, you can create a breakfast casserole using bread and cheese. This dish typically combines bread, cheese, and other ingredients such as eggs, meat, and vegetables. It can be prepared ahead of time and baked the next day, making it a convenient option for busy mornings or holiday breakfasts.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A classic combination of bread and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches are a comfort food favorite. You can experiment with different types of bread and cheese to create your perfect sandwich. Try adding ingredients like tomato, bacon, or turkey to create a more substantial meal. Grilled cheese sandwiches can be served with a variety of sides, such as soup or salad.

Sweet and Savory Casseroles

Bread and cheese can also be used to create sweet and savory casseroles. For example, a pineapple casserole combines sweet pineapple with savory cheddar cheese and a buttery cracker crumb topping. Alternatively, a French toast casserole blends cream cheese with berries for a dessert-like breakfast dish. Bread and cheese casseroles offer versatility and are sure to satisfy a variety of tastes.

Frequently asked questions

Bread cheese is a Finnish cheese called Juustoleipä, traditionally made with reindeer milk and dipped in coffee. It is now also made with cow's milk by cheesemakers in Wisconsin. It is called bread cheese because it is pressed into bread-sized blocks and baked until the sugars on the outside are caramelized, resulting in a block of cheese that resembles a piece of toasted bread.

To make cheesy bread, you can simply spread a cheese mixture over bread and broil until browned. You can also make garlic cheese bread by buttering bread, toasting it, and adding cheese, herbs, and chili flakes. Bake for a few more minutes until the cheese turns golden and melted.

Yes, there are many dishes that use both bread and cheese. Some examples include grilled cheese sandwiches, French toast casserole, and breakfast bakes. You can also make a Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, which includes thick slices of bread, turkey, bacon, tomato, and cheese, all bathed in a rich sauce.

When making cheesy bread, you can experiment with different types of cheese and add other ingredients such as chopped black olives, canned artichoke hearts, or minced shrimp. You can also try different methods of cooking, such as baking, grilling, or pan-frying.

Your cheesy bread is ready when the cheese is golden and melted. If you are baking it, adjust the time according to your oven and the type of cheese you are using. If you are cooking it on a stovetop, keep the pan covered and check the base frequently to avoid burning.

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