Cheese lovers Can Do Better than Cheddar with the Havarti Hack

From gooey grilled cheeses to creamy queso dips, cheddar has remained a classic for all cheesy dishes we know and love – but this summer, we’re trying havarti, inspired by  King of makeovers Steven Sabados.  Steven has taken his skills to the kitchen, proving Canadians can do better than cheddar with one simple swap. Say hello to the #HavartiHack!

It’s as easy as replacing your cheddar with the creamy, subtle, and versatile taste of havarti. It melts into sandwiches and dips like a dream, and comes in a variety of flavours that adds a savoury twist, like Dill Pickle Havarti in a grilled cheese, or Roasted Garlic Havarti in mac and cheese.  And Castello cheese is expertly crafted with 100% Canadian dairy with no preservatives.

 

Here are some of Steven’s favourite summertime classics reimagined with his favourite havarti flavours:

Summer Queso-licious: Steven’s queso kicks it up a notch with Havarti Jalepeño for the ultimate daring dip – Queso-closed!

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded Castello Jalapeño Havarti
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup pico de gallo (tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro) or chunky salsa (drain any juice)
  • Jalapeños, chopped
  • Approx 1 tsp onion flakes, garlic powder, ground cumin
  • Season with salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour and incorporate until lightly golden in colour. (stir in garlic, onion and cumin, to incorporate the spices)
  2. Gradually whisk in milk, bring to boil, then reduce heat until thick. Add the Havarti gradually until incorporated.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the pico de gallo. Let come to room temperature, garnish with chopped jalapeños and serve with taco chips. Enjoy!

Cristo Gone Couture: Steven serves his Cristo’s Castello-couture swapping homemade waffles for bread and using smoked havarti cheese for a rich revamp.

 

Ingredients:

Castello Creamy Havarti, grated

Castello Smoked Havarti, grated

1/4 cup plum, or apricot preserves

8 waffles (store-bought or homemade)

4 slices of fresh deli turkey meat

4 slices of fresh deli ham

4 strips of cooked crispy bacon

Slices of tomato, optional

Handful of Micro Greens, optional

Maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Preheat a large skillet or griddle. Spread preserves over 4 waffles, then layer with turkey, ham, bacon, and a generous amount of the Havarti mixture. Option to add in slices of tomato and a handful of micro greens. Place the waffle on top and transfer to a lightly buttered griddle pan. Grill for 4-6 minutes or until golden and the cheese has melted.
  2. Serve with maple syrup on the side.

French Toast Affair: From brunch to lunch, Steven’s stylish French toast will take your tastebuds on a sweet and savoury escape.

Ingredients:

  • Castello Creamy Havarti, thinly sliced
  • 2 pears, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 8 slices of French or Brioche-style bread
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2-4 tablespoons butter
  • Icing sugar, maple syrup
  • Sliced strawberries, optional

 

Directions:

  1. In a large skillet, sauté the pears in butter and cinnamon until tender (5-8 minutes)
  2. Whisk together eggs and milk and place in a shallow bowl
  3. Build a sandwich with the cooked pears and a generous amount of Castello Creamy Havarti. Option to add in sliced strawberries.
  4. Dredge the sandwiches in the egg/ milk mixture and place on a buttered skillet on medium heat, and cook each side until golden brown and crispy
  5. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup

 

For the Cheese Lover: Steven gave grilled cheese, pizza, poutine, mac & cheese, and nachos a havarti makeover and received rave reviews from the everyone who tasted it! He used dill pickle havarti for the grilled cheese, roasted garlic havarti for the pizza, jalapeno havarti for the poutine, herbs and spices for the nachos, and creamy havarti for the mac & cheese.

 

For more delicious havarti recipes visit https://www.castellocheese.com/en-ca/ and check out your local grocery store for some havarti for yourself.

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Addicted Magazine. Her myriad of addictions include music, fashion, travel, technology, boxing and trying to make the world a better place. Nadia is also a feminist, an animal lover, and a neverending dreamer. Keep up with her on social media through @thenadiae.
Nadia Elkharadly

@TheNadiaE

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