Smoked Cheddar Recipes

SMOKED CHEDDAR CHEESE

Steps:

• Set up your smoker to maintain a temperature of less than 90°F (32°C). It's imperative that the heat be no higher than 90°F (32°C) to prevent the cheese from melting.
• To create cold smoke, place the cheese on the grate of your smoker. Set three lit charcoal briquettes flat in the charcoal pan or firebox of your smoker. Place a flat wood chunk on top of the charcoal to create smoke. Provide a little airflow and replace the charcoal and/or wood chunks as needed to keep the smoke going for the desired period of time.
• Place the blocks of cheese directly on the grate and apply light smoke for about 4 hours.
• Remove the cheese from the grate and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Store the smoked cheese in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before indulging to allow the smoke flavor to permeate the cheese and even mature slightly. (If you simply can't wait 2 weeks, no one's going to tattle on you. But just know that the smoke flavor will be more pronounced and even somewhat bitter or, dare we say, acrid. If you can resist temptation, a perceived virtue that we usually find to be highly overrated, you'll be rewarded with a more mellow smoke flavor.)

SMOKED CHEDDAR AND APPLE QUESADILLA

Steps:

• Sprinkle 1 tortilla with some cheese, a small handful of baby spinach, bacon and sliced apples. Press another tortilla on top to make a quesadilla. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with nonstick spray. Cook the quesadilla on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings. Slice into wedges and serve with sour cream.

SMOKED CHEDDAR CHEESE TAMALES

Steps:

• Put the corn husks in a roasting pan of warm water; soak until softened, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the dough: Whisk the masa harina, baking soda and sea salt in a large bowl. Stir in the chicken broth and lard with a wooden spoon to make a thick dough. (If it seems dry, add a splash of broth.) Let the dough rest 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Put the poblanos on a foil-lined broiler pan; broil, turning, until charred, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, then stem, seed and dice the peppers.
• Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and scallions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the poblanos, tomatoes and vinegar, season with kosher salt and pepper, and cook 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Fold in both cheeses.
• Remove the corn husks from the water and gently squeeze dry. Tear 4 husks into thin strips to use as ties. Spread a heaping tablespoonful of dough onto the wide end of each remaining husk, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the top and both sides and 3 inches on the tapered end. Spread 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture over the dough, then roll up the tamale into a cigar shape. Fold up the tapered end and tie closed with a strip of husk.
• Put the tamales upright in a steamer basket set over a few inches of boiling water; steam until the filling is firm, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the tamales and let rest 10 minutes.
• Mix the sour cream and lime zest in a small bowl and season with kosher salt. Unwrap the tamales and serve with the lime sour cream.

SMOKED CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Combine the cheese, whisky, and syrup in a large freezer bag. Seal the bag and place it in the freezer for 4 hours.
• Start your smoker and heat it to 85° to 105°F (30° to 40°C); you want to keep the smoke "cold," that is, at a slow smolder, using mostly wood chips.
• Insert a remote thermometer into the cheese and place it in the smoker. Smoke the cheese until it reaches an internal temperature of 39°F (4°C). The smoked cheese will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month, wrapped tightly in plastic.

SMOKED-CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and butter in a medium mixing bowl and bring to room temperature.
• Add milk and steak sauce and beat until fluffy.
• Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
• Shape mixture into a ball. Roll in the finely chopped pecans.
• Serve with assorted crackers.

SMOKED CHEDDAR SCALLOPED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350.
• Blanch potato slices in boiling water for 5 minutes.
• Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Spray a two-quart casserole with oil.
• Make a layer of 1/2 of the potatoes.
• Top with the cheese, onion, and flour.
• Top with the rest of the potatoes.
• Season.
• Slightly heat the milk and pour over the casserole.
• Cover and bake for 50 minutes.
• Uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer (or until lightly brown).
• Serve warm.