Best Cheese for Cooking and Appetizers?

Question

Besides the common cheeses you find in the store – cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, etc. – what are some other, less common cheeses that are good for appetizers and baking? Preferably something mild.

Answer 1

It completely depends on what you are serving it with, or if the dish you are cooking is an ethnic style recipe.

If you just want to slice up some terrific cheese to serve with crackers, pears apples etc, try one of these:
Jarlsberg Swiss, or my absolute favorite baby swiss is Madrigal. You can find it at most grocers in the imported food section or ask a deli person to help you locate it. Nutty, mild and incredibly delicious.

Orange style cheese- you will find Colby the mildest of the bunch.

Imported- try the Butterkase- a very mild cheese that actually has some butter in the center of the cheese.

If you are cooking an Italian recipe that calls for melted cheese, try Fontinella and mix it with your mozzarella.

If you want a cream style cheese you might not have used before, try some mascarpone and you can even add a little bit of honey to it and stir it up before serving on toast, English muffins etc.

Answer 2

I really like Feta cheese on salads and sprinkled on black beans. There's pepperjack if you want to add a little spice to your dish. many people like baked brie, but I think you have to have an acquired taste for it. Jarlsberg has a nice creamy, mild taste. Provolone has a smokey taste. Also, try getting cheddar from the deli rather than those indiviudually wrapped slices in the grocery store .... there's a world of difference in taste. Try freshly grated parmesan,too. I think I'll have some Swiss cheese and crackers right now !!

Answer 3

For appetizers, I prefer to mix and match. One of my favorites is a mushroom brie. Another is a Spanish Manchenga. You might also want to consider a Dill Havarti and even sliced Asiago (which is salty and spicy). Smoked gouda, or aged gouda is always good. And they have several brands of a Horseradish white cheddar that are wonderful! I'm also a big fan of goatcheese, with or without additions of ground pepper, or herbs, or fruit. And you might want to consider Irish cheddar. I try to pair up a soft and mild, such as the brie, with a firmer textured yellow cheese, such as a gouda or Manchenga, and something unusual such as the Havarti. Or a good goat cheese, Manchenga, and an Asiago. The world is your oyster!

Answer 4

Dollar tree has Monet brand stone-ground wheat crackers, which are very good. They're also very cheap. Pick up a bunch of them, and/or some triscuits or whatever you like. Take 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (yellow). Add 4 oz (1/2 block) Philadelphia cream cheese and 1/4 cup Port wine to a food processor. Blend and taste. Add a splash at a time if you want more wine taste. Blend til smooth and creamy and serve with wheat crackers.

Answer 5

-Blue cheese or it's italian bro Gorgonzola- sweeter and smoother taste, is good for canape appetizers, celery boats with blue cheese and walnuts grilled for a few min's, salads, in pasta or rizottos, in sauce over steak or chicken.
-Chevre- french goat cremy chesse is amazing as it is. But make a green salad with a very light and slightly sweet sauce and take thin slices of bread put a slice of chevre on top and fresh groung pepper and grill to get crusty! Usually 4-6 pieces for 2 per.
-Brie or Camamber cheese for appetizers: 1)served cold (leave it in room temp for 1/2 h before use) with cranberry paste or dried fruits like prunes, figs ,etc. 2) take some slices of proscuito and cover cheese all over well. Bake for 15-20 min's in preheated oven till the proscuito is crispy. It's nice, impressive and tasty.

Answer 6

Brie is lovely as an appetizer cheese. You can serve it as it is with crackers, or you can bake it in the oven with some red chili jam or even raspberry jam and put it on crakers. And it is good for baking. It melts wonderfully.

Answer 7

try a chipoltllay chedder even though it sounds hot its really quite mild. u will get a smokey taste out of it. i useualy go for this when im makeing a cheese ball. the family loves it. or u could go for ricodda.

Answer 8

The off brand of Velveeta is just like it.To cook it melts so quickly.For dips the same,delicious.I always get compliments when I cook with it.Make sure it is with real milk.....

Answer 9

smoked or flavored gouda is a great cheese, as is asiago, swiss, and cream cheese. i make an awesome cheese ball contact me if you want the recipe it is super easy and everyone loves it.

Answer 10

mozzerella or jack cheese

maybe some cheddar or swiss