How To Use Cheese To Spice Up Your Food

With all of the many varieties of cheeses available, it is easy to add cheese to any dish to take it from ordinary to unforgettable. From simple dishes like scrambled eggs or hash browns, to complex dishes incorporating fine technique, such as a soufflé, cheese makes everything better. Even with dishes that already have cheese as a primary ingredient, like macaroni and cheese, experiment with a smoked or flavored cheese to spice it up.

Burgers

To spice up an ordinary burger, try adding some crumbled feta cheese to your burger mixture before cooking. The cheese will add moisture to the burger, and give it a great flavor. You can also try adding some bleu cheese, such as Roquefort or Stilton, to the middle of your burger or use it as a topping. The intensity of the bleu cheese is delicious with a rich, meaty burger, and you won’t even need any condiments to make this burger special. Another great cheese is a smoked Gouda for a different flavor.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a natural showcase for fresh vegetables, grilled meats, and delicious cheeses. A quesadilla consists of cheese fried between two tortilla shells. For an authentic Mexican dish, use some Queso Oaxaca, a delicious cheese that can stand alone. You could also use some spicy pepper jack cheese or even jalapeno cheddar for a cheesy, delicious treat. Grilled shrimp or chicken or beef strips add to the goodness, and grilled peppers and onions combined with your choice of meat and cheeses make this a versatile dish.

Spicy Grilled Cheese

For a homey grilled cheese sandwich with a kick, add some green chilies to your cheddar cheese before making your sandwich. For extra kick, use spicy jalapeno cheddar. For a milder version, add some sliced tomato to cut down on the bite of the chilies.

Gourmet Grilled Cheeses

A grilled cheese sandwich can be boosted to a higher level by adding gourmet ingredients. Try adding some gruyere, provolone or Gouda to toasted brioche for a delicious, melted gourmet treat. For a hearty gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, add some thinly sliced granny smith apple, a couple slices of smoked bacon, and Gouda or Swiss cheese to some thick, rustic bread. Alternatively, you can try a caprese style grilled cheese by adding mozzarella, fresh basil, ripe tomato slices, and a drizzle of olive oil to a thick, Italian bread.
Soups

To spice up potato soup, add some cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack cheese. Traditional chowder gets spiced up with the addition of grated cheddar cheese. Adding cheddar cheese to tomato soup also takes the flavor to a new level. Chicken soup is a traditional favorite, but with the addition of cheddar, it takes on a great flavor. Spice your chicken soup up by adding chorizo sausage and pepper jack cheese.

Pie

For a twist on a traditional fall pie, add some goat cheese to your pumpkin puree, along with some garlic, onion, and sage for a savory pumpkin pie. Cheese dishes don’t have to be savory; cheese pairs well with sweet ingredients also. The classic American apple pie becomes a gourmet dessert with the addition of cheddar cheese under the top crust.