Best Fresh Cheese Recipes

GRILLED CORN AND TOMATO-SWEET ONION SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL DRESSING AND CRUMBLED BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, basil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Can be made 2 hours in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before using.
• Combine the corn kernels, onion and tomato in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat, season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Top with crumbled blue cheese and garnish with basil sprigs just before serving. Salad can be made 1 day in advance and served cold or at room temperature.

FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH CRISPY CHEESE TOAST

Steps:

• Remove cores from tomatoes and cut in half crosswise. Reserve until needed.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and anchovy and cook until garlic is sizzling in the hot fat, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Carefully add the tomatoes with their juices, salt, and red pepper flakes. Toss with a spoon every few minutes until the tomatoes release their liquid and start to break down.
• Once the tomatoes have softened and start to collapse, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have fallen apart and the soup resembles a coarse tomato sauce, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone liner. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Place the bread slices on the prepared baking sheet. Top each slice with sliced basil, and then Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is well browned and crispy around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Remove soup from heat and pass through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Use the back of a ladle to push all the tomato mixture through. Discard the skins and seeds, which should be the only things left in the strainer.
• Transfer the strained tomato soup back into the saucepan and place back over medium-low heat. Continue cooking to thicken slightly, if desired, or simply bring back to a simmer and serve immediately with the cheese toasts.

TUNA AND ARTICHOKE SALAD ON KALAMATA OLIVE BREAD WITH PROVOLONE CHEESE AND FRESH HERB AND GARLIC AIOLI

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the salad. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
• For the Aioli: In food processor combine first 5 ingredients. Turn on processor and slowly add the oils for emulsification. Add the herbs, and salt and pepper. This sauce is enough aioli for 10 sandwiches.
• Spread aioli on 1 slice of bread. Top with tuna salad, sliced red onion, cheese, and the other slice of bread. Grill on panini press for 3 to 5 minutes.

SIMPLE FRESH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat milk until it reaches 180 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let stand until set, about 15 seconds. If milk does not set, add a little more lemon juice.
• Line a colander with several layers of cheesecloth. Ladle set milk into colander. Tie the four corners of cheesecloth together; hang on the handle of a wooden spoon set over a deep bowl and let drain until it is the consistency of slightly dry cottage cheese, 1 to 2 hours. Transfer to a bowl and fold in salt and herbs, if desired. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

CHILES RELLENOS (MEXICAN DISH) STUFF CHILE POBLANO WITH MILD CHEDDAR CHEESE COVER WITH HOMEMADE SIMMER FRESH MEXICAN SALSA

Steps:

• 1. Roast the chiles Roast the chiles on a hot grill, or in a broiler on high heat. Turn them occasionally until the skins are blackened and charred. When the skin of the chiles is sufficiently charred and blistered, remove from the heat and let them cool to room temperature so you don't burn yourself. Peel the skin from the cooled chile, rinsing your fingers if they become sticky. Be careful to not tear the chile while peeling it.
• 2. Remove the seeds Roasted chiles are very soft, and tear easily. You are going to make a small slice into the side of the chile, just big enough to get a spoon into, about 2-3 inches. (Or use an existing tear if there is one.) Insert the spoon into the chile and scrape the seeds and the white membrane out, try to not tear the chiles flesh any more than possible.
• 3. Stuff the chiles Place a slice of cheese into the chile, or spoon the filling in, but don't force it. If the cheese is too large, trim it down until it fits inside. Don't over-stuff it. Make sure the open edges of the chile still come together.
• 4. Prepare the chiles This step is optional for those that have difficulty with the egg batter sticking to the chile. Try to make them without this step at first. Place half of the flour on the bottom of a plate. Place the chiles on the flour and sprinkle the rest of the flour on top. Use your finger to make sure the entire chile is coated. Dust off remaining flour and set chiles aside. If you rinsed your chiles in water, or if you are using canned chiles you may need to do this to help the batter to stick.
• 5. Prepare batter For a simple batter, whip 3-6 cold egg whites in a chilled bowl until they are stiff. Stir up the remaining yolks and slowly fold them in with a pinch of salt. Use approximately 2 large eggs for each pound of chiles, or 1 egg per extra-large chile.
• 6. Cook chiles One at a time, hold the chiles by the stem and support the bottom with your fingers or a spoon, and dip the stuffed chiles into the batter. Carefully place them into a pan with 1 1/2 inches of hot oil. Cook each side until batter is a crisp golden brown.
• 7. Drain excess oil Remove chiles from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with your favorite salsa.
• 8. Homemade Simmer Fresh Mexican salsa: Low fire/ In a medium skillet: Sautee Chop onion (small pieces)
• 9. Add fresh chop tomatoes (small pieces)
• 10. Add pinch of salt and pepper to taste
• 11. Simmer at low heat until sauce is soupy
• 12. Pour sauce on top of the chiles in an oven glass tray
• 13. Sprinkle Mild cheddar cheese and Cotija cheese (Mexican version of parmesan cheese)
• 14. Place in oven (350) cover with foil paper for 20 minutes or until cheese has melted

FRESH FIG, CARAMELIZED ONION AND GOAT CHEESE GOURMET PIZZA

Steps:

• In a pan saute onions in oil till a caramel color, set aside to cool completely.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1 inch thick. You can make it round or square all a matter of taste.
• Place on a pan that is dusted with corn meal.
• Spread a thin coat of olive oil on dough.
• Arrange goat cheese, figs cut side up, cooled onions around on crust.
• Top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with rosemary.
• Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
• ALTERNATE method:.
• If grilling preheat grill to medium high.
• Oil one side and place on a clean oiled grill and grill for 4-5 minutes.
• Flip and then lightly spread olive oil on dough.
• Arrange goat cheese, figs cut side up, cooled onions around on crust.
• Top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with rosemary.
• Cook a couple more minutes.

PALAK PANEER (INDIAN FRESH SPINACH WITH PANEER CHEESE)

Steps:

• Cut spinach into shreds and cook in 3 tablespoons water until tender; remove from heat.
• Saute onion, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger in 1-2 tablespoons ghee or oil until onion is translucent.
• Then add garlic and chopped tomatoes, and reduce heat.
• Cook this briefly and slowly blend in yogurt a little at a time to prevent curdling.
• Add coriander, garam masala, paprika, and salt, mixing well.
• Add cooked spinach with liquid, cover and simmer on low heat for approximately 20-30 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Take half of spinach mixture and puree in food processor or blender, and return to mixture and stir.
• Slowly stir in heavy cream, and heat through on low heat.
• Add paneer cubes.
• Serve.

GRILLED CORN ON THE COB WITH GARLIC BUTTER, FRESH LIME AND COTIJA CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium. Peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove the silks and recover the corn with the husk. Soak in large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Remove corn from water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Unwrap corn and brush with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese and squeeze with lime. Sprinkle with chopped chives, to garnish.
• Combine butter, garlic, habanero, and chives in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.

CHEESE RAVIOLI WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the pasta dough:
• Combine the ingredients in a food processor. Process until the dough mixture leaves the sides of the bowl. Remove to a mixing bowl and knead by hand for a few minutes until smooth. (If the dough is too dry, add a few drops of water.) Divide into 4 equal parts and shape them into discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour.
• Make the ravioli filling
• Put the cheeses, salt, and pepper in a blender and pulse. Add the egg yolks and pulse until incorporated.
• Make the ravioli
• Roll the discs of dough into thin sheets in a pasta machine. Arrange tablespoon-size dollops of the filling 1 1/2 inches apart on one of the sheets. Brush a little egg white around each dollop, then place another sheet directly on top. Gently press around the filling to remove any air pockets and seal the sheets. Using a ravioli cutter or a knife, cut out ravioli squares. Sprinkle with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
• Cooking the ravioli
• Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water until they float to the top, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain well and toss with the Fresh tomato sauce . Garnish with the remaining chopped basil and serve immediately.

FRESH ORANGE CAKE WITH ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 3 9-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray* and line with parchment. Spray parchment with baking spray. *NOTE: I used 2-9-inch cake pans, figuring I'd slice those in half. That was tricky, as the cake was so moist, that it took a miracle that transferring the layers didn't break! In a large bowl sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add oil, orange juice, eggs and sour cream. Optional: I add 1/4 teaspoon of pure orange oil, for more flavor. Beat at medium speed with a mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Add orange zest and orange juice, beating until combined. Gradually add confectioners sugar beating until smooth. (NOTE: You can add more confectioner's sugar, if you prefer a much thicker frosting.) Assembly: Spread frosting evenly between layers and on top and sides of cake.

FRESH GREEN BEANS, FENNEL, AND FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Fill a saucepan half full with water and bring to a boil. Add the green beans and fennel slices; cook until just beginning to become tender, about 4 minutes. Pour into a colander to drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Return the empty pan to the stove and set heat to medium. Pour in the olive oil and let it heat for a minute. Return the green beans and fennel to the pan. Season with basil, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until coated and warm. Transfer to a serving dish and toss with feta cheese.

CHEESE RAVIOLI WITH FRESH TOMATO AND ARTICHOKE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook ravioli according to package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over a medium high heat. Add tomatoes, artichokes, scallions, garlic, and salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are warmed through. Remove from heat.
• Drain pasta well. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with 1 teaspoon oil. Add half of the sauce to the ravioli; toss gently, but thoroughly to mix. Transfer ravioli to a large serving platter. Pour remaining vegetable sauce over ravioli. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

GRILLED FLATBREAD WITH RICOTTA CHEESE, FRESH TOMATOES, OREGANO AND ROASTED GARLIC OIL

Steps:

• Roasted Garlic Oil:
• Place oil and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain.
• Flatbread:
• Mix water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes to proof. Gradually pour in 2 cups of the flour and stir to incorporate. Mix for about 1 minute to form a sponge. Let stand, covered, for at least an hour.
• Put sponge in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook, add the salt and oil, then add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a dough. Remove from bowl and knead. Place in a clean oiled bowl and let rise, slowly, about 2 1/2 hours. Divide dough into 4 balls, if desired, let rise again for 1/2 hour, and then roll out as desired.
• Flatten flatbread dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread 1 side with ricotta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, scatter tomatoes over, drizzle with Roasted Garlic Oil, and garnish with basil and more freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
• Yield: 4 individual flatbreads or 1 large flatbread

CHEESE AND FRESH HERB QUICHE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Unroll crust into a 9-in. pie plate; flute edge. Sprinkle cheeses into crust. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and cream until blended. Stir in herbs; pour over top., Bake on a lower oven rack 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

FRESH POACHED PEAR, TOASTED PECAN AND BLEU CHEESE SALAD WITH PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To assemble salad, wash lettuce well and drain until very dry. Toss leaves in the Pear Vinaigrette in a salad bowl. Add the bleu cheese and pecans.
• Place a mound of lettuce on each of 4 plates. Serve with 1/2 a Poached Pear.
• Peel pears, leaving stems intact and trimming bottom to "seat" them firmly in bottom of large stockpot.
• Into the stockpot, add the wine, water, sugar, vanilla bean, star anise, lemon and orange peels, and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from stove and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Reserve 1/4 cup of poaching liquid for the vinaigrette.
• Place ingredients in large bowl and whisk together. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

FRESH STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine cream cheese, butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
• Stir in milk, eggs and vanilla.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to cheese mixture and mix until smooth.
• Spread half the batter in a greased and floured 13x9 inch baking pan. (The batter is VERY thick. It works best to put little blobs of it across the whole pan and then spread them with a knife. One reviewer says they used a 8x8 inch pan, but I haven't so I can't vouch for how it will turn out or how long you need to bake it.).
• Spread berries evenly over batter. Dot remaining batter over berries. Mix brown sugar and nuts; sprinkle evenly over cake.
• Bake 40 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

FRESH-FIG CAKE WITH HONEY CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch cake pan (or two 9-inch pans), and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, baking soda and salt.
• Using an electric mixer, whisk to combine sugar and eggs until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Whisk in oil and buttermilk or yogurt to combine.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture just until combined. Fold in figs, jam and pecans.
• Scrape into prepared cake pan and bake until browned and springy to the touch, about 65 to 75 minutes (or 35 to 45 minutes for the 9-inch pans). If the top gets too dark before the cake is finished baking, cover it with foil. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• While cake is cooling, make the frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat butter, cream cheese and salt on low speed until smooth. Beat in honey and vanilla, then beat in confectioners' sugar.
• To assemble the cake, remove cooled cake from pan and peel off parchment paper. Slice cake in half horizontally, so you end up with 2 layers. (You don't need to do this for the 9-inch cakes.) Spread half the frosting between the layers, sandwiching it. Dollop remaining frosting in a thick layer on top of the cake, leaving a 1-inch border on the top of the cake, the sides, bare. Chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, top with sliced figs.

FRESH HERB AND GOAT CHEESE STUFFED GRILLED PORTOBELLOS

Steps:

• Clean the dark black gills from the mushrooms, then drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper and place over medium heat on an open barbecue grill, face down. After a few minutes, turn them over and continue to cook.
• In a mixing bowl combine the goat cheese with minced garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and the mixture of fresh herbs torn by hand.
• Mix the cheese until all of the ingredients have been incorporated and a nice creamy texture is achieved.
• When the mushrooms begin to get soft and give off a little of their juice, add a nice spoonful of the goat cheese mixture right into the center of each portobello.
• Close the lid of the barbecue and let cook until the cheese gets bubbly and the mushrooms are nice and soft.

SPINACH AND CHEESE RAVIOLI WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• FILLING: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Sauté spinach with garlic, shallots and olive oil.
• Chop and drain all the liquid from the spinach.
• In a bowl, place, spinach, Ricotta, Mozzarella and Provolone.
• Mix well until you get a firm texture.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• RAVIOLI:.
• Roll out dough and cut into sheets of manageable length, approximately 16 inches.
• Do not roll out too many sheets at a time or the dough will begin to dry and be difficult to handle- trust me!
• Make a row of generous teaspoons of filling, 1 inch apart, across the center of 1 pasta sheet.
• Carefully fold the sheet in half toward you, matching the horizontal edges of the dough.
• Gently press the filling down with your fingertips.
• Press the dough down between each teaspoon of filling to enclose it.
• Ttrim off the edges of the dough and cut apart the ravioli.
• Gently crimp the edges of the ravioli with a fork.
• Lay the ravioli on a lightly floured bed sheet or tea towels and let dry at least 5 minutes before cooking.
• COOK: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add ravioli (Very fresh pasta takes about 2 to 5 minutes to cook).
• Carefully drain the ravioli and transfer to a warm serving platter; top with tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.

ALMOND CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE, GANACHE AND FRESH STRAWBERRY FILLING, VANILLA BUTTERCREAM ICING AND PINK POURED FONDANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Prepare two 16-inch cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fixed with the paddle attachment, add the liquid shortening, inverted sugar and vanilla. Then add the cake flour, granulated sugar, milk powder, baking powder, sea salt and cream of tartar. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then add half of the egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 3 minutes.
• Add the remaining egg whites and mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then mix on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Stop the mixer, scrape the bowl, and add the whole eggs, water and almond extract. Mix on speed 1 for 1 minute. Then on speed 3 for 3 minutes. Lastly, mix on speed 1 for 10 minutes.
• Fill the cake pans two-thirds full and bake until golden and a tester such as a toothpick comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely.
• To assemble the cake: Torte the cooled cakes (level and split them horizontally into 2 layers each). Generously spread a layer of the Ganache on the first layer of cake, then a generous layer of Cream Cheese Filling. Layer some fresh strawberries on top of the Cream Cheese Filling. Repeat with the next 2 cake layers. Top with the last cake layer and ice the cake smooth with the Vanilla Buttercream Icing. Lastly, pour a thin layer of Pink Poured Fondant over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
• In a microwave-safe glass bowl, heat the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, stirring between each intervals. Add the cream and mix with a spatula until smooth. Let cool.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening and cream cheese until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion. Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the shortening until smooth. Then add the confectioners' sugar, sea salt, vanilla and butter emulsion.
• Mix it all on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the confectioners' sugar, then the water, corn syrup, almond extract, vanilla, liquid whitener and food coloring. Mix it all on medium speed until smooth, about 10 minutes. Yield: enough for one 16-inch layer cake.