Category Archives: cheese

Broccoli rice and cheese casserole

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  • 1 head fresh broccoli
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup extra long-grain rice
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  1. Sauté onions in butter 2-3 minutes in a large skillet or wide saucepan (something wide with a fitted lid). 1 onion, 1/2 stick butter
  2. Meanwhile, cut 2 cups of broccoli florets from the fresh broccoli then set aside.
  3. Chop the remaining broccoli into pieces about 1/2-inch in size then add to skillet with onions.
  4. Add garlic, salt, mustard powder, pepper, cayenne and rice then continue cooking and stirring 3-5 minutes or until rice starts to brown. 1 Tbsp garlic, 1/2 tsp each salt, mustard powder and pepper, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1 cup rice
  5. Add broth and milk then bring to a boil, stirring occasionally with a fork. Once boiling, reduce heat to low (or wherever gets you a gentle boil) then cook, covered for 10 minutes. 2 c. broth, 1/2 c. milk
  6. Stir with a fork, scraping the bottom of the pan, then add reserved broccoli florets on top of rice. Cover immediately then continue cooking 10 minutes or until rice is tender.
  7. Stir in cheese then serve. 2 c. cheese

cauliflower casserole

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1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheesePaprika

  • Place 1 in. of water in a saucepan; add cauliflower. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until crisp-tender, 5-10 minutes. Drain. 
  • In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cornflakes, peppers and salt; transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. 
  • Bake, uncovered, at 325° until heated through, 30-35 minutes.

broccoli, cheddar and wild rice casserole from smittenkitchen.com

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3 tablespoons butter
1/2 large onion, diced
Salt
2/3 cup uncooked wild rice blend, rinsed
1 pound broccoli
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder or 1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup low-sodium vegetable
8 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice to onion and cook for 1 minute, then add 1 1/3 cups water and a few pinches of salt. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to lowest temperature and cook with the lid on for about 50 minutes (or whatever amount of time is suggested on your package of rice). If you’d like a rice cooker to do this for you, transfer onions, water and rice to the machine and set the machine.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Peel broccoli stems and dice them into large chunks. Cut florets into 1-inch pieces. Cook in boiling, well-salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain.

You can use this same pan to make the cheese sauce. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the mustard powder (if using), a pinch of cayenne and garlic and let sizzle for 1 minute. Add flour and whisk until combined, cooking the butter-flour mixture for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly drizzle in milk, whisking constantly, then broth. Bring to a simmer and cook mixture at a simmer, stirring the whole time, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in smooth Dijon mustard if you didn’t use mustard powder.

Remove pan from heat and stir in 1/3 of grated cheese until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Combine cooked wild rice blend and broccoli in a 2-quart baking dish or a 9-inch oven-safe skillet. Pour cheese sauce over and gently nudge to ensure all pieces get some sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake casserole for 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly, then run mixture under the broiler until cheese is toasty on top.

Serves 4 as a generous side

Eggplant Tomato Pie from loversrecipes.com

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  • 1 eggplant
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1  tablespoon pesto
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh parsley

Peel and cube eggplant, note do not boil, sautee,boil until soft and tender, then drain water and mash. Add diced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, melted butter and pesto to the mash; mix well. Grease a pie pan. Slice one tomato and layer on bottom of pan. Add the eggplant mixture. Slice the remaining tomato and layer on top of eggplant mixture. Add shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Provoleta (Grilled Provolone Cheese) from NY Times

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FOR THE Chimichurri:

  • ½ cup finely chopped parsley
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
    • 2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • Large pinch of crushed red pepper
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons cold water

     

    For the cheese

  • 8 ounces provolone cheese, sliced at least 1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 baguette, sliced in 1/2-inch rounds, toasted, if desired
  1. Make the chimichurri: In a small bowl, stir together the parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, crushed red pepper, vinegar and water. Thin with a little more water, if necessary, to make a pourable sauce. Set aside to let flavors meld. Sauce may be prepared up to 1 hour in advance.
  2. Set a small cast-iron pan over medium-high heat (or over hot coals). When pan is hot, put in the cheese. Sprinkle with half the oregano and crushed red pepper.
  3. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the bottom begins to brown. Carefully flip the cheese with a spatula and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the second side is browned and the cheese is beginning to ooze. Transfer cheese to a plate and sprinkle with remaining oregano and crushed red pepper. Serve immediately, accompanied with bread and chimichurri. (Alternatively, finish the cheese by putting it under the broiler or in a hot oven.)

 

Cheesy Potato Breakfast Bake

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  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
  • 3 cloves garlic (peeled, thinly sliced)
  • 5 sprigs thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 9 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups Gruyere (grated)
  • 6 cups shredded frozen potatoes (thawed)
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until tomatoes slightly charred. Set aside to cool slightly.
  • Reduce the heat in oven to 350ºF.
  • Butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish. In a large bowl, add the eggs, milk and mustard. Whisk until blended. Fold in the gruyere, shredded potatoes, and oven roasted tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into the buttered casserole dish.
  • Place in oven for 35-40 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Tip: This casserole can be assembled and refrigerated 24 hours in advance.

Spinach & Ricotta-stuffed shells from 12tomatoes.com

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24 jumbo pasta shells or lShellsumaconi
1 (15 oz.) container ricotta
4 cups fresh spinach
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated, divided
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400º F.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to packaging directions, or until just al dente. Reserve pasta water, drain and set aside.
Return pasta water to heat and blanch spinach until just wilted. 30-60 seconds, or until bright green.
Remove spinach from boiling water and immediately place in an ice bath to prevent further cooking.
Drain spinach, then place in a large bowl and mix together with ricotta.
Season generously with salt and pepper, then transfer mixture to food processor or blender and pulse until spinach is chopped into small pieces.
Fold 1 cup mozzarella cheese into ricotta mixture, then use a spoon to stuff your shells with cheesy spinach filling. Place stuffed shells in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and whisk in flour to create a roux.
Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, or until mixture is smooth and paste-like.
While continuing to whisk, slowly mix in heavy cream. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
Add remaining mozzarella and cook until completely incorporated. Season with lemon juice, nutmeg and salt.
Pour sauce over stuffed shells, then sprinkle parmesan over the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and place in oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15.
Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes, then serve hot.

 

 

Baked garlic parmesan potato wedges

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  • 3-4 large russet potatoes, sliced into wedges
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • optional: fresh parsley (or cilantro), ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Place potato wedges in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. In a small bowl whisk together salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle potato wedges with the shredded cheese, tossing to coat, then sprinkle with the seasoning mixture.
  3. Place potato wedges on prepared baking sheet in a single layer with skin-sides-down. Bake for 25-35 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender and golden. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and dressing for dipping. 4-6 servings

 

7 Layer Fiesta Dip

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  • 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
  • 1 container (16 ounces) sour cream
  • 1 package taco Seasoning Mix
  • 1 package (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, (2 cups)
  • 1 cup prepared guacamole
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • Tortilla chips
  • Spread refried beans in shallow serving dish.
  • Mix sour cream and Seasoning Mix in small bowl until well blended. Spread over refried beans.
  • Top with layers of cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, onions and olives. Serve with tortilla chips.
Makes 8 cups or 64 (2-tablespoon) servings.

Cheesy Scalloped Potato Casserole from the food network

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  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion minced
  • 2 gloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons table salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 1/2lbs russet potatoes peeled and sliced into about 1/8″ thick rounds
  • 1 cup veggie broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  1. Preheat oven to 425F
  2. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the foaming subsides.
  3. Add onion and cook while stirring occasionally until lightly browned and soft (about 4 minutes).
  4. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for about another 30 seconds.
  5. Add potatoes, chicken broth, cream, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes. discard bay leaves.
  7. Transfer the mixture to an 8″x8″ baking dish and press into an even layer.
  8. Sprinkle the top evenly with cheese.
  9. Bake in oven about 16 minutes until the cream is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown.
  10. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
  11. Enjoy!