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.)

SMOKEY CHEDDAR CHEESE CRACKERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, Cheddar, smoked paprika, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until incorporated. Add the heavy cream and process until the dough forms a ball.
• Lightly flour a sheet of parchment paper and place the dough on top. Shape the dough with your hands into a flat rectangle, then lightly flour the dough. Roll it out with a rolling pin until it is a little less than 1/4 inch thick (about a 12-by-9-inch rectangle). Cut the dough into squares or rectangles and carefully transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the dough pieces with about 1/4 teaspoon more salt, gently pressing it into the surface, then dust very lightly with more smoked paprika. Bake until light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.

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.

CHEESY SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and oil with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.
• Stir sausage, tomatoes and reserved juice, onion, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, 2 teaspoons olive oil, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper together in a large bowl. Add elbow macaroni and stir. Pour macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish, sprinkle with American cheese, and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove aluminum foil from baking dish, increase heat to 425, and bake until sauce is bubbly, and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

SMOKED CHEDDAR & BACON STUFFED HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently combine beef, egg, breadcrumbs, barbecue seasoning, and celery salt until they are well blended and begin to bind.
• Shape beef into 8 very flat patties.
• Top half of the patties with equal amounts of cheese and bacon, then top with the remaining patties.
• Press edges firmly to seal.
• Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
• Serve on hamburger bun (optional toasted) with the lettuce and tomato.

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 & HAM PANINI

Steps:

• Cook onions until tender in a skillet prepared with non-stick cooking spray over medium-high heat.
• When onion is browned, add syrup, stirring well, and cook for an additional minute.
• Allow onion to cool. Spread 2 slices of bread with mayonnaise.
• Layer remaining ingredients on top, ending with the second slice of bread on each sandwich.
• Spray both sides of each sandwich with cooking spray before placing on panini grill or in skillet.
• If using panini grill, grill the sandwiches for about 3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
• If using a skillet, cook sandwich over medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side, flipping once, or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Use a second skillet to weight down the sandwich on top.

SMOKED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat grill or smoker to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in Velveeta, 1 cup smoked cheddar, cheddar cheese, milk, eggs, heavy cream, half-and-half, provolone, Colby-Monterey Jack, pepper jack, salt, pepper, paprika and, if desired, liquid smoke and cayenne pepper., Transfer to 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese. Place on grill or smoker rack. Grill or smoke, covered, until a thermometer reads at least 160°, 20-25 minutes, rotating pans partway through cooking. Do not overcook. Let stand 10 minutes before serving; if desired, sprinkle with bacon.