Many of you probably think that the countries that produce the most cheese are France and Switzerland. Yes, they undoubtedly have centuries-old traditions in growing and making cheese, and we can safely say that this dairy product is emblematic of the Alpine countries.
Charles De Gaulle himself even asked himself the question How is it possible to govern a country that has 246 different types of cheese?
However, recent data indicate that one of the largest producers of cheese in terms of their diversity is neither France nor Italy, but Great Britain.
In this line of thought, there is nothing strange in the fact that one of the cheeses that, since its creation around the 12th century, has become a favorite of entire generations, comes from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England.
Yes, that's right, the homeland of Cheddar cheese is England. It is characterized by its bright yellow color, medium-hard texture, nutty notes and unique flavor.
Now that we've mentioned cheddar cheese, let's see what dishes you can use it in.
For direct consumption
Unlike Parmesan, which is too hard, or feta cheese, which is sometimes too soft, Cheddar is suitable for direct consumption. It is often present at the so-called Italian events known as "formaggio e vino" (cheese and wine), where various cheeses are served with a glass of wine. Well, here's the moment to "open up" to you that Cheddar cheese goes best with wines such as Champagne, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Rioja.
Cheddar in salads
Prepared green salads of iceberg, regular lettuce, arugula, kopf lettuce, baby spinach and other greens go "hand in hand" with Cheddar. In addition to your favorite dressing, you can also add pomegranate juice to them or add crispy chicken nuggets, avocado and croutons to the finished salad.
Soups
To escape the boredom of the daily soups offered and consumed by you, you can prepare a cream soup, to which you can also add lightly fried bacon. Add spices of your choice towards the end of cooking and small portions of grated Cheddar cheese, so that it melts. Be sure to serve with croutons or freshly toasted slices of baguette.
Fondue
Fondue is a Swiss classic, which dates back 6-7 centuries. It is believed that the idea came to shepherds in the Swiss Alps not only to keep warm, but also because they were “overstocking” on bread and cheese, which over time became dry and unpleasant to eat. They discovered that if they melted the cheese slowly and in portions in a pot of white wine, and if the pot was placed over an open fire, the cheese would melt and acquire a creamy consistency and the bread dipped in it would acquire a wonderful taste.
Nowadays, there are special pots in which you can prepare fondue and the dish itself has become a symbol of togetherness, comfort and security. Although it was originally prepared mainly with cheeses such as Gruyere and Emmental, cheddar cheese can easily be used for this purpose.
Cheddar Burgers and Toasts
Almost all classic burgers are made with cheddar cheese. For this purpose, cheddar cheese is now also sold in a softer and more convenient version and it is even available in the form of sauces.
Pasta and Pizza
Regardless of whether you are going to prepare pizza, spaghetti, macaroni, fusilli or any other type of pasta, you can't go wrong if you add cheddar cheese to them.
Casseroles
Roast potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli or any other vegetables you want and finally just sprinkle them with cheddar.
In conclusion, we will say that no matter how delicious everything you prepare with this type of cheese is, it is not good to overdo it with its quantity, because it is quite caloric. As they say - consume it in moderation!
Find out what dishes to include cheddar in, as well as what benefits will eating cheddar bring you.
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