Reinventing Nostalgic Cheese Dishes

Have you heard the phrase “everything old is new again”?  The same applies to many of your favorite dishes!  It’s fun to recreate, honor, or modernize nostalgic recipes from the past as a way to enjoy and savor them now.  Cheese and cheesemaking has been around for thousands of years and there are so many wonderful cheese-centric specialties worth re-visiting.  Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Cheese Puffs

You may envision a Mad Men episode with perky housewives entertaining the boss when you think of mid century Cheese Puffs.  But did you know they actually take inspiration from a haute cuisine French appetizer called Gougeres?  Made with a classic French pastry dough called “Pâte à Choux” that’s also used to make cream puffs; a batch of our Gougeres with Gruyere are sure to impress at your next party.

French Gougeres

Grilled Cheese

A childhood comfort food classic for generations – this old standby of American Cheese on white bread is in every elementary school cafeteria and diner.  Beloved for a reason; the combo of buttery toasted bread and melted cheese will win anyone’s heart!  Why not give it a modern twist in the form of a pressed panini with layers of colorful and flavorful grilled veggies and pesto? Try our upscale Grilled Veggie and Pesto Panini with imported Havarti to enjoy the childhood favorite in an entirely new way.

Grilled Veggie Panini with Havarti

Fondue

It seems that every 1970’s party featured long haired couples in bell bottoms and fringe vests, sitting on floor cushions around a coffee table with a burnt orange or avocado green fondue pot of melted cheese to share.   Fondue never goes out of style as a fun shareable app and our easy Skillet Fondue for 2 doesn’t even require a 1970’s fondue pot! Serve our mix of imported Brie, Swiss, and Gruyere with raw veggies and fruit for a light modern vibe.

Casseroles

Watch any retro family sitcom from the 1950’s or 60’s and chances are someone’s mom was pulling a casserole out of the oven for dinner or dropping one off to the new neighbors who moved in down the block.  These comfort food classics come in all flavor combinations with one unifying factor -a delicious layer or two of melted cheese bringing it all together.  Try the classic in an upscale French way with our Tartiflette with Raclette.  The mix of potatoes, onion, bacon, and cheese is originally from the Savoy region of France and popular with skiers in the Alps; our version features imported Raclette cheese for a meltingly delicious fondue-like finish.

Cheese Balls

Your grandma may have made sweet and savory cheese balls to gift everyone in the neighborhood for the holidays when you were a child.  A fun shareable appetizer that any host will appreciate, take the idea but make it modern with our easy Mediterranean Cheeseball featuring feta, pine nuts, and chopped herbs.

Mediterranean Cheeseball

Chicken Cordon Bleu

As Americans began exploring French cuisine in the mid-century, this classic dish of chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese became a cult classic and so  ubiquitous they were even in the frozen food aisle of supermarkets! To give this savory favorite a modern edge try our version stuffed with imported Emmentaler, fresh sage, and wrapped in prosciutto for a gorgeous presentation.

Baked Brie

Instead of the usual puff pastry presentation, why not try grilling your wheel of Brie or Camembert to add a new flavor note and top with fresh fruit and herbs for a burst of freshness?  You’ll love our Grilled Camembert with Cherries and Thyme for a fun twist on an old favorite.