The Best Dishes You Can Make With Cheese.

Cheese is one of the most loved foods on the planet, and it is fair to say that it is also one of the most versatile too. Whether melted into a gooey goodness or grated onto a perfect pasta, cheese finds its way into our hearts (and stomachs) with ease.

If you’re looking to do some cooking with cheese, and you’re wondering what the best dishes to pair the dairy product with are, then check out my delicious, very cheesy, ideas below.

Photo credit: Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.

Mac 'n' Cheese - The Classic Comfort Food

If there is one dish that is synonymous with delicious, cheesy goodness, then it is mac ‘n’ cheese. This dish epitomizes comfort food, with its perfect combination of creamy cheese sauce and tender pasta, all topped with a crust of crispy golden breadcrumbs. Want to make it even better? Use a mixture of at least three different cheeses for a richness and depth of flavor that is hard to beat.

French Onion Soup - A Cheesy Delight

Next up, we travel to France with the exquisite French Onion Soup, crowned with a generous layer of Gruyère cheese. This is the perfect dish for a cozy evening at the table with family and good friends. The caramelized onions, simmered in a rich beef broth, create a perfect backdrop for the golden, bubbling cheese on top, which adds a rich creamy note to the dish. Of course, you are going to want to serve it with warm, crusty French bread to ensure that each mouthful is a warm hug for your soul.

Photo credit: Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.

Cannoli - Sweet and Cheesy

This cannoli recipe here is the perfect thing to cook for anyone who loves a little sweetness with their cheese. A classic Italian dessert, cannoli consists of crispy, deep-fried pastry shells filled with a luscious mixture of ricotta cheese and sugar, often flavored with a hint of vanilla or citrus zest. This heavenly concoction is surely the proof we all needed that cheese can truly do it all, gracing our dessert tables with a balance of texture and sweet, creamy goodness. Beware, these can get pretty addictive, and they aren’t quite as good for our waistlines as they are for our tastebuds!

Queso Fundido - A Melting Pot of Flavors

If you're craving something spicy and zesty, Queso Fundido is your answer. This Mexican dish is a molten pot of melted cheese, seasoned with a spicy chorizo and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve it up with a side of crispy tortilla chips for a perfect, communal dining experience that will get everyone digging in with gusto.

Cheese and Charcuterie Board - A Gourmet Affair

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, a well-curated cheese and charcuterie board can be a gastronomic delight that is particular perfect for parties and get-togethers. Pairing different types of cheeses, like Brie, Camembert, or a tangy blue cheese, with an assortment of cured meats, crackers, and some fresh fruits creates a feast that's not only delicious but also visually appealing. If you want to sample lots of cheesy flavors from the sharp to the creamy, this is surely the dish for you.

Photo credit: Lisa Fotios on Pexels.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich - The Ultimate Snack

Never underestimate the power of a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. The key to nailing this beloved snack is selecting the right kind of cheese. A combination of cheddar and mozzarella offers a wonderful blend of sharpness and stretchiness that is hard to resist. Serve it with a side of tangy tomato soup for a meal that's comforting and utterly satisfying, or add some pepperoni and freshly sliced tomatoes for a more substantial snack.

Cheese Soufflé - A Cloud of Cheesy Perfection

Ending our cheesy journey on a high note, we have the sophisticated Cheese Soufflé. This French dish is a culinary masterpiece, bringing together the richness of cheese with the lightness of a soufflé. When done right, it rises to a golden perfection, offering a fluffy, cheesy center that's just heavenly to taste. It may take you a while to perfect this delicate dish, but it is worth putting the effort in because not only does it taste amazing, but it is one recipe that always impresses when you serve it up to friends and family!

Cheese is a simple, affordable ingredient that tastes good and gives us plenty of fats and proteins, and with such delicious dishes as the ones above, it is not surprising that it is one of the most loved foods around. Why not try cooking with your favorite cheese today?

Cooking with my Air Fryer | Cheesy Baked Bangus.

Just like chicken and tofu, bangus (or milkfish) is also a staple in this household. Whether it's sinigang, bistek, daing, or tinapa, there just has to be a bangus dish in our meal plan at least once or twice a week. And why not? Aside from its versatility, bangus is healthy, flavorful, and definitely more affordable than pork or beef.

Today, I tried to be more adventurous with bangus, instead of the usual air fried tinapa or daing. I baked it, and topped it with cream and lots and lots of cheese. It was a hit with my son, who almost finished the entire bangus in one sitting!

Cheesy Baked Bangus

Ingredients:

500 grams boneless bangus

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup all-purpose cream

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup melting cheese

For the toppings:

1/2 cup melting cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1 to 2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

If you're out of mozzarella, you can use cheddar cheese instead.

Procedure:

1. Preheat the air fryer at 190° Celsius.

2. Season bangus with salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. Prepare the cream mixture by mixing the mayonnaise, all-purpose cream, garlic powder, pepper, sugar, and melting cheese in a small bowl. 

4. Place the bangus skin side down in a greased baking tray.

5. Spread the cream mixture on top of the bangus. (Mixture is good for two pieces of bangus.)

6. Top with different cheeses.

7. Set your air fryer to Bake mode and bake at 180° C for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden.

Many thanks to Ms. Lhen de Castro, founder of Bake and Cook PH, for this recipe! Watch how she made this Cheesy Baked Bangus on her Youtube channel. :)

Cooking with my Air Fryer | Cheese Muffins Recipe.

I've been wanting to try to make my own cheese muffins for the longest time. In fact, I've bought most of the ingredients for it on my last grocery run (which was like, three weeks ago). However, I had qualms about baking it without a mixer, thinking that it would be too much of a pain to mix the ingredients with just a spatula and a wire whisk.

Thankfully, I chanced upon a Hanabishi Hand Mixer yesterday, while I was window shopping at the department store. I really had no plans of buying anything inside the department store because the main purpose of my trip to the mall was to pay bills and buy food stuff. I ended up buying clothes for the kids (my son, my niece and nephew), underwear for myself (because they were on sale), some gardening tools, plus the hand mixer. Lol.

Today, I tried making the Cheese Muffins and it was a success! Good thing I decided to buy this hand mixer. My arms would probably be sore from mixing had I used just the spatula and the wire whisk because the mixture is thick! Anyways, here is the recipe. Please use an electric mixer should you wish to try this. :)

Cheese Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup refined sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs (room temperature)

1 can (300 mL) condensed milk

2 tsps vanilla extract

1 cup Quickmelt cheese, grated

Procedure:

1. Preheat the airfryer to 190° Celsius.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. 

3. In a separate bowl, mix the butter and sugar using an electric mixer.

4. Beat the eggs in the mixture, one at a time.

5. Add the condensed milk and vanilla extract and mix again.

6. Pour half of the dry ingredients in the mixture. Mix at low speed.

7. Add the remaining half of the dry ingredients, again mixing at low speed.

8. Add the cheese and fold in to combine. 

9. Pour the batter into paper lined muffin pan cups. Top with more grated cheese if desired. 

10. Set your air fryer to Bake mode and bake at 170°C for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

11. Optional: Switch to Convection Broil for 3 to 5 minutes if you want the muffin tops to look more brown. (Kindly make adjustments to the temperature settings if you're cooking with a conventional oven.)

Foodie Goodie | Kumori Signature Hanjuku Cheese.

Japanese bakery Kumori has been making waves in the Philippines for almost four years now, but it wasn't until this weekend when I finally got to try their pastries and realize why people rave about them. Blame it on my geographical location (I live in the province), and the fact that I hardly go to Metro Manila these days because I hate traffic.

Thankfully, my sister now goes to Manila every so often, and she remembered me while passing by the Cafe Kumori at Festival Mall. She got me a box their Signature Hanjuku Cheese, one of Kumori's best-selling and well-loved products.

Kumori Signature Hanjuku Cheese - best with coffee. :)

Palm-sized and individually-wrapped, the Signature Hanjuku Cheese is a half-baked Japanese-style cheesecake with a rich and moist cream cheese center. It has a mousse-like texture with just the right sweetness.

Also comes in chocolate flavor.

No wonder Kumori's tagline is 'Bite Into Clouds' - you'll really feel like biting into one with this soft and fluffy cheesecake and its melt-in-your mouth goodness.

Melt-in-your mouth cheesecake.

I did my best not to finish the entire box in one sitting, haha. Each box contains six pieces and sells for Php 294. My sister got me the assorted box, which contains three chocolate flavored cheesecakes and three original Hanjuku cheesecakes. You can also buy them individually for Php 49 each.

Kumori Signature Hanjuku Cheese box, Php 294.

Cafe Kumori is located at the following malls: Festival Mall, Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Manila, UP Town Center, Gateway Mall, Ayala Malls Makati, and SM Mall of Asia. Kumori kiosks can be found at Landmark Makati, SM Makati, and SM North Edsa.

Foodie Goodie | Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni.

It's a sunny Friday morning here in the Philippines, and the little man and I just had breakfast. We had Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni this morning, a dish I learned not too long ago from Spoonful. I'm sharing the recipe with you, in case you run out of breakfast ideas and would like to try something other than your usual morning meal.

Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni

Ingredients:
12 slices white or wheat sandwich bread
6 slices cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 (5 ounce) package Hormel® Pepperoni Minis

Procedure:
1. Divide pepperoni evenly among 6 slices bread; top each with a slice of cheese. Top with remaining 6 slices bread.
2. Heat large griddle over medium-high heat (375ºF.).
3. Meanwhile, spread top of each sandwich with butter.
4. Place sandwiches butter-side-down on hot griddle. Spread butter on top of each sandwich. Reduce heat to medium (300ºF.).
5. Brown bottom of sandwiches 2 to 3 minutes; turn sandwiches to brown other side until cheese is melted. 6. Cut each sandwich into 4 triangles.

Pretty easy, huh? It'll only take you about 15 minutes or so to prepare this simple yet satisfying treat. :)

Shared with Food Trip Friday and Food Friday.