Frederic Melton
Smoked gouda is a popular variety of cheese that is known for its creamy texture and nutty, sweet flavour. It is made from cow's milk and can be purchased pre-made or smoked at home. The process of smoking the cheese imparts a distinctive smoky flavour that enhances the taste of the cheese and makes it a versatile ingredient in various dishes. Smoked gouda can be enjoyed on its own or as an ingredient in recipes such as mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, soups, and dips. It pairs well with crackers, fries, pretzels, tortilla chips, and sweet potato fries. When used in cooking, smoked gouda adds a delightful smokiness and creaminess to the dish, making it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Gouda |
| Flavour | Smoky, nutty, sweet |
| Texture | Semi-hard, smooth |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Milk | Cow's milk |
| Age | Younger cheese is milder, smoother, and softer; older cheese has a stronger flavour and is harder |
| Melting properties | Melts well |
| Use | Can be eaten as-is, in mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, on crackers, in soups, on pizza, in dips, or as a topping for fries, pretzels, tortilla chips, or pasta |
| Accompaniments | Apples, beef, spinach, caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, jalapenos, onion straws, sweet potato fries, spicy fries |
| Smoking method | Cold smoking, hickory wood, maple wood, or fruit wood |
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What You'll Learn
Smoked gouda mac and cheese
Ingredients
- Smoked gouda cheese
- Pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, cavatappi, lumaconi, or similar)
- Butter (unsalted or salted)
- All-purpose flour
- Heavy cream
- Milk
- Salt
- Ground nutmeg (optional)
- Sharp white cheddar cheese (optional)
- Crumbled bacon (optional)
- American cheese slices (optional)
Method
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-low heat.
- Once the butter has melted, add flour and stir or whisk until the flour is dissolved and the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown.
- Add heavy cream and milk, stirring to combine with the butter/flour mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a slight boil and add seasonings like ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper, if desired.
- Add the cheeses (smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and/or American cheese slices) and stir until melted.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, stirring to ensure all pasta is coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a lightly greased baking dish and top with remaining smoked gouda cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to cool for 15 minutes, then serve warm.
Tips and Variations
- For a stronger smoky flavour, smoke the gouda at home using hickory, maple, or fruit woods.
- When smoking gouda at home, control the level of smokiness by adjusting the smoking time, typically between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Add crumbled bacon as a topping for extra flavour.
- Use a combination of butter and panko breadcrumbs as a topping for a crispy texture.
- For a more budget-friendly option, regular gouda can be used instead of smoked gouda, but the dish may have a milder flavour.
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Grilled cheese sandwiches
Smoked gouda is a semi-hard, yellow cheese made from cow's milk. The younger the cheese, the milder, smoother, and softer it is. As gouda ages, it takes on a stronger flavor and becomes harder. It has a smooth texture and a nutty, sweet flavor. Smoking the cheese adds a delightful, smoky flavor.
Smoked gouda is an excellent choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. The key to a good grilled cheese sandwich is the right kind of bread, the right outer spread, and the right combination of cheeses.
- Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
- Flip the slices over and spread butter on the other side.
- Sprinkle one slice of bread with Monterey Jack cheese.
- Top with slices of smoked gouda.
- Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing outwards.
- Heat a skillet to medium-low heat and place the sandwich inside.
- Cook until the underside is toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the underside is toasted and the cheese is melted.
You can also add other ingredients to your grilled cheese sandwich, such as roasted red peppers, ham, tomato, fried egg, and arugula.
Smoked gouda is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different recipes, including grilled cheese sandwiches. Its creamy texture and smoky flavor make it a delicious addition to any dish.
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Pizza topping
Smoked gouda cheese is a versatile topping that can elevate any pizza. Its distinctive nutty and caramel-like flavour complements a wide range of ingredients. When selecting the right type of gouda, consider the age of the cheese as younger gouda will melt more easily, while older gouda will retain its shape better. Medium or old gouda is recommended for pizza as their stronger flavours will hold their own against other ingredients.
- Smoked gouda and chorizo: The slight smokiness of gouda pairs well with the intense paprika flavour of chorizo.
- Smoked gouda, Italian sausage, and onion: Sprinkle gouda over the sauce, add sausage and onion, then sprinkle more gouda on top.
- Smoked gouda, spinach, sausage, and garlic: Top the pizza with spinach, sausage, and garlic, and sautéed mushrooms and onion.
- Smoked gouda, olives, and bacon: Scatter olives and bell peppers over the pizza, then top with a bacon and onion mixture.
- Smoked gouda and truffle oil: Drizzle truffle oil over the gouda for an earthy and luxurious flavour.
- Smoked gouda and apple: Thinly slice apples and arrange them on the pizza for a sweet and savoury combination.
- Smoked gouda and smoked salmon: Top the pizza with smoked salmon for a sophisticated smoky flavour.
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Cheese sauce for fries
Smoked gouda is a semi-soft, semi-hard cheese with a high butterfat content, which makes it ideal for cheese sauces as it melts beautifully. The younger the cheese, the milder, smoother and softer it will be. Its nutty and sweet flavour is enhanced by the addition of smoke, which can be done at home or bought pre-smoked.
To make a gouda cheese sauce, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add milk and whisk until incorporated, then continue whisking until the mixture thickens (3-4 minutes). Add shredded smoked gouda and stir until melted and smooth. This sauce is perfect for dipping fries, especially sweet potato fries, and can be topped with jalapenos and onion straws. It can also be used as a topping for vegetables, meats, and other snacks like pretzels and tortilla chips.
Gouda cheese sauce is a great way to elevate a simple dish like fries, and can be made ahead of time and reheated when needed. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip or a topping, and is a favourite for game days, parties, and holidays. The smokiness of the gouda adds depth to the flavour of the sauce, and it is a simple, fun recipe to make.
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As-is, with crackers
Smoked gouda is a semi-hard, yellow cheese with a smooth texture and a nutty, sweet flavour. It is made from cow's milk, and the younger the cheese, the milder, smoother, and softer it is. Smoking the cheese adds a tasty, smoky flavour to the cheese.
Smoked gouda can be enjoyed as-is, with crackers. This is a simple and direct way to enjoy the cheese and is a major people-pleaser. The smokiness of the cheese will add depth to the flavour, and the creaminess of the cheese will complement the crackers.
When choosing smoked gouda to eat with crackers, consider the level of smokiness you prefer. Store-bought smoked gouda is often extremely smoky, but you can also smoke gouda yourself at home, allowing you to control the amount of smokiness infused into the cheese. To do this, you can use a smoker or a smoke tube, choosing the type of wood you prefer, such as hickory, maple, or fruit woods.
When serving smoked gouda with crackers, you can also offer a variety of toppings and accompaniments to enhance the flavour. Some options include sweet potato fries, spicy fries, jalapenos, and onion straws. These additions will create a gourmet experience for your guests, showcasing the versatility of smoked gouda.
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