Smoked Cheeses

I was so happy with how great these smoked cheeses tasted. I mean, they were fantastic. And definitely so much better than any so-called smoked cheese you buy in the store (which are usually flavored with a liquid smoke or chemical and not real wood smoke).

Smoked Cheeses

I made one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve ever had with the smoked sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheeses. I served it with some of my smoked potato chips.

Grilled Smoked Cheese Sandwich with Smoked Chips

The smoked buffalo mozzarella made for the best pizzas I’ve had. It takes pizza to a whole new happy place.

The Keys To Success

Cold smoking can be a tricky endeavor. The key is to not get above 90 F. The cheese can of course melt if you get your temperatures too high. You also want to not over-smoke the cheese as too much smoke flavor can be a bad thing. The first time attempting it you might want to sample one of the cheeses every 5 or so minutes to see how much smoke flavor you have.

My Setup

My cold smoke setup is easy: 4 lit charcoal briquettes topped with a piece of apple wood. Once the wood starts to smoke I put on the cheeses or whatever I am cold smoking. I monitor the temperature in the smoker closely, making any damper adjustments needed to maintain 90 F. It’s easier to do on a cloudy, cool day.

You can also use a smoke tube for this process.

Also try smoking Velveeta. It’s seriously crazy good stuff.

Cold Smoke Setup
Smoked Cheeses
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Smoked Cheeses

I was so happy with how great these smoked cheeses tasted. I mean, they were fantastic. And definitely so much better than any so-called smoked cheese you buy in the store.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, smoked
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 blocks
Calories 4kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For cold smoking

  • 4 lit charcoal briquettes
  • 1 small chunk apple wood

For the smoked cheeses

  • 4 blocks cheese use your favorites. I used Tillamook sharp cheddar, Tillamook pepper jack, and a log of fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Instructions

For cold smoking

  • Place the 4 lit briquettes in the bottom of your smoker.
  • Add the wood chunk.
  • Once the wood is smoking, you can add the cheeses.

For the smoked cheeses

  • Place the cheeses onto a disposable grill topper or in a vegetable or fish basket.
  • Smoke 15 or so minutes until the desired smokiness is achieved. For us, 20 minutes was just perfect. Sample as you cook to find the amount of smoke you prefer.

Notes

For more pronounced flavor, wrap the cheese tightly and refrigerate for at least 20 days before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jose’s Party Cheese Dip

Looking for a seriously big batch of rich, creamy, a-bit-spicy-but-not-too-spicy cheese dip for the big game? Well, this is it. Courtesy of my old favorite margarita spot in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jose’s Restaurant. Jose’s party cheese dip satisfies any crowd. The flavor is fantastic. And although it might seem like there’s a good number of ingredients, it’s pretty easy to make.

Joses Party Cheese Dip

Perfectly Spicy

This makes a really big batch of Jose’s party cheese dip. It’s not a super thick dip like the usual cheese dips you find (you could cut back on the cream and milk if you want a thicker dip, but I find this dip is perfect as it is). It’s very tasty, which just the right combination of spices. Perfect with warmed tortilla chips (I also thick this dip makes a great sauce for nachos, hot dogs, and just about anything).

Also try my chicken nacho dip.

Jose's Party Cheese Dip
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Jose’s Party Cheese Dip

Looking for a seriously big batch of rich, creamy, a-bit-spicy-but-not-too-spicy cheese dip for the big game? Well, this is it.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, dip, southwestern
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 396kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Jose’s Restaurant

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large pot.
  • Add onion and saute until starting to soften.
  • Add garlic and cook another 1 minute.
  • Add flour, stir and cook another 1 minute.
  • Add cream and milk. Bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Slowly add cheese, a small bit at a time, stirring constantly until melted. Do not add the cheese too quickly or the mixture will separate.
  • Add the remaining ingredients except chips and warm.
  • Serve with fresh hot tortilla chips.

Notes

You can transfer the dip to a crockpot set on low for serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 882IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce. I love it over pulled pork since it has a nice smokey flavor, but not so overbearing that you can’t taste the meat. I made a big batch and squirted it over pulled pork tater tot nachos (below) and stromboli, but you’ll also love it over grilled burgers or chicken sandwiches, or the best, Italian sausage sandwiches.

Smoked provolone can sometimes be difficult to find. Regular provolone works just fine in this cheese sauce. If you’re hankerin’ for that smokiness, you can cold smoke the cheese if you have a smoker.

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos

The Multi-Purpose Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone cheese sauce would also be great as a dip. You could add a few chopped green chiles. Or even mix in some Rotel tomatoes, adding a little heat.

This sauce is great over ‘normal’ nachos too. You know, the ones made with tortilla chips!

Also try my amazing creamy nacho cheese sauce.

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos
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Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, sauce, smoked
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 671kcal
Author From The Slow Roasted Italian

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until the flour is cooked.
  • While still whisking, slowly pour in the milk.
  • Add the cheese, salt and pepper.
  • Stir often until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Keep warm until ready to use.

Notes

Store any unused sauce in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1678mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1734IU | Calcium: 1132mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

You don’t need to buy the expensive version of this great cheese. You can make homemade Boursin-style cheese with items you probably already have on hand. It really tastes just like the stuff in the store. And because it’s a whole heck of a lot cheaper to make you can use more of it! I always felt guilty eating the fru-fru stuff. I had to stretch it out. Not this. I can load up and not feel like I’m going broke!

Grilled Polenta with Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

Not Just For Crackers

This homemade Boursin-style cheese is perfect on crackers, baked potatoes, apple slices, steak, burgers and grilled corn-on-the-cob! And absolutely yummy spooned on top of grilled polenta disks.

I think the fact that this is a cheaper version of the store-bought cheese opens up new opportunities for using it. Now I don’t hesitate to smear it on everything!

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Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

You don’t need to buy the expensive version of this great cheese. You can make homemade Boursin-style cheese with items you probably already have on hand.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, homemade
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 548kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Southern Living

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a large bowl and whip with a handheld mixer until smooth and fluffy. You can also do this in a blender or food processor.
  • Keep in the fridge and use within a few weeks.

Notes

The cheese is more spreadable if you let it come to room temperature or near it before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 548kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1914IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

I made a big batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip for a family get-together. It disappeared fast. It’s highly addicting. I mean, really what’s not to like about it. Tons and tons of cheese. And lots and lots of bacon. And a bit of onion for contrast. Heck, this is not only a great dip, it’s a great topping for a baked potato!

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

Make Extra, You’ll Need It!

You can’t go wrong with something that has bacon in it. And cheese. Make a double batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip. It’s great for dipping but it also makes a great topping for hamburgers too! And baked potatoes will never be the same after you put a few good dollops of it on top.

Also try my hot country ham dip.

This recipe is based on a recipe from You Made That?

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip
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Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

You can’t go wrong with something that has bacon in it. And cheese. Make a double batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip and keep some on hand for topping just about anything
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, cheese, dip
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 110kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 2 16 ounce sour cream
  • 2 8 ounce cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain well and chop into small pieces.
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine all ingredients and pour into the dish, spreading out evenly.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve with crackers or chips (Frito’s Scoops are great with this dip!).

Notes

Also great made with pepper jack cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

We both love having breakfast for dinner. We don’t usually have time in the mornings to make an elaborate breakfast, so making it for dinner lets us go wild. These cowboy breakfast sandwiches hit the spot. Everything that normally goes on a breakfast plate is in this sandwich.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

Welcome The Heat

I used homemade breakfast sausage on these cowboy breakfast sandwiches, but of course store-bought sausage works just as well. Don’t skip the jalapenos, they are what really sets this sandwich apart. They aren’t too hot, they just add some zing. Plus, I’m pretty sure that cowboys like a little kick start to the day. I don’t know any or I’d ask!

The Cuisinart Griddler was made just for sandwiches like these.

Also try my crazy-good country ham and egg muffins.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches
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Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

Easy breakfast sandwich that’ll keep you going for hours.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast, sandwich
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 741kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt. Spread the remaining butter on the bread. Fry the bread until lightly browned on each side, adding more butter to the skillet if needed.
  • Heat another skillet over medium heat and cook the sausage.
  • Lightly beat the eggs, half-and-half and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add in the jalapeno.
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour in the egg mixture. Bake until the eggs are done, about 20-25 minutes. Cut into 4 squares.
  • Assemble the sandwiches by placing a slice of cheese on 4 pieces of the bread. Top with the egg, a sausage, and another slice of bread.

Notes

You can substitute bacon for the sausage patties.

Nutrition

Calories: 741kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 372mg | Sodium: 975mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1097IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 14mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cheese Sauce

This is my go-to, super easy, cheese sauce. I use it mostly on vegetables, and often on baked potatoes. It’s also great on hot dogs and hamburgers. You need a cheesy sauce, this is the one. It has just the right consistency. You don’t want it too runny. You don’t want it to be all gloppy. This is right down the middle, perfect.

Cheese Sauce

A Cheese Blank Canvas

Substitute a Monterey Jack cheese for a nice white sauce, or pepperjack for something a little kicked up. You can also add things like chopped roasted chiles or jalapenos to give it even more heat. These cheese sauce loves to take on more flavors, so change it up!

This sauce is the boss on my cheesy mushroom baked potatoes and my cheesy broccoli baked potatoes.

Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potatoes
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Cheese Sauce

This makes a little over a cup of sauce, about the right amount for 4 servings of vegetables or 4 baked potatoes.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 108kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat 3/4 cup of the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam, stirring often.
  • In a coffee cup or glass, mix together 1/4 cup of milk and all of the flour until the flour is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  • While stirring, slowly pour the milk and flour mixture into the heated milk. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and is nice and thick.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
  • Add salt and cayenne pepper, to taste.

Notes

Sure, you can use any cheese you want!

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Having a baked potato for dinner is like having breakfast for dinner. It’s something I always look forward to. But for some reason, I feel mischievous having one. It’s like I’m breaking the rules. These easy chili cheese baked potatoes made me feel like I was breaking a lot of rules.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Baked Potatoes Can Be Addicting

I think my addiction to baked potatoes really got started in college. There was a great dive in Fayetteville, Arkansas, called Hogs Breath Eatery. That’s where I would get a huge loaded baked potato for just a few bucks. My favorites were the Terlingua and The Works. Also, their variation of these easy chili cheese baked potatoes.

Also try my The Works baked potato.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes
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Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Having a baked potato for dinner is like having breakfast for dinner. It’s something I always look forward to.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked, cheese, chili, potatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 305kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Split potatoes open and add one tablespoon of butter to each.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Add chili, cheese, and sour cream and top with green onions.

Notes

Don’t be afraid to add a little minced jalapeno, too.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 1573mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

I found the original recipe for this great breakfast-for-dinner idea over at Amy’s Cooking Adventures. Putting an egg on top of batter in a waffle iron sounded like a pretty nifty approach to me, so I dove right in and made some waffle iron eggs and biscuits. This really is breakfast-in-a-bite. Everything you need. Everything you want. I thought these were a really fun idea. And they really hit the spot, too. I didn’t really need help loving waffles any more but these certainly made that happen.

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

Expect A Little Mess. It’s Worth It.

I have to warn you, you’re going to make a mess making these waffle iron eggs and biscuits. There’s really no way around it. No matter how gently you close the iron lid, somewhere along the line you’re going to pop a yoke and it’s going to run out. That’s ok, though. It’s worth the mess.

Guess what? You can also make chocolate chip ‘cookies’ using your waffle iron!

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits
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Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

Putting an egg on top of batter in a waffle iron sounded like a pretty nifty approach to me, so I dove right in and made some waffle iron eggs and biscuits.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword biscuits, breakfast, eggs, waffles
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 923kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups Bisquick plus a little more for dusting
  • cup low fat milk
  • 4 slices bacon cooked, drained, crumbled
  • 1 cup cheese shredded (Swiss, cheddar, whichever you prefer)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pats
  • ½ pound breakfast sausage cooked drained, crumbled
  • maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat you waffle iron as directed by the manufacturer and spray with non-stick spray as needed
  • Combine biscuit mix and milk until a dough forms.
  • Lightly dust a cutting board with more baking mix. Roll the dough out using a rolling pin until it is about 1/4″ thick. Cut into shapes slightly smaller than your waffle iron. (Our waffle iron is round. I found a saucer that was just smaller than the iron and used that as my template for cutting the dough).
  • Working in batches, place the dough pieces onto your waffle iron. Sprinkle with some bacon and cheese and top with a single egg each. (If you sprinkle the cheese in a circular pattern, creating a sort of ‘well’, the egg will not slide off as easily).
  • Very, very gently lower the top of the waffle iron and cook until done.
  • Serve topped with butter, sprinkled with the breakfast sausage crumbles, and drizzled with pure maple syrup.

Notes

The waffles can be frozen and reheated later.

Nutrition

Calories: 923kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 398mg | Sodium: 1764mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1169IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 439mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time. It might keep Uncle Henry from snagging all of the mac-and-cheese out of a dish. It’s a lot more obvious that you’re hogging them all when you have to stack 10 of these little round morsels onto your plate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

Pop-In-Your-Mouth Goodness

Macaroni-and-cheese muffins are rather fun to eat too, just like my mac-and-cheese waffles. You can use your favorite mac-and-cheese recipe instead, if you like. Just watch the cook time because you might have to adjust it a bit. You want the macaroni to set up good in the tins.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins
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Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, muffins
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 231kcal
Author Found on the web

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the pasta
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup bread crumbs seasoned
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Add pasta to a large pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Drain and return to the pot.
  • Add the butter and egg and stir until the butter is melted and the pasta is coated.
  • Add the milk, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and all of the Mozzarella cheese and stir until the cheeses are melted.
  • Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray.
  • Spoon in the pasta mixture.
  • Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  • In a small bowl combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the bread crumbs and olive oil.
  • Sprinkle over the tops of pasta.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes, letting the cheese set, before removing from the muffin tins to serve.

Notes

Use your favorite cheeses.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.