Move over cheddar – Havarti just made summer entertaining a whole lot easier and cheesier with one simple swap that will have you cooking like a boss this season.
Courtesy of Canada’s favourite makeover king Steven Sabados, havarti makeovers have become a game changer- and there’s no extra effort required! Simply replace the cheddar in your favourite recipe with havarti and reap the rewards! It’s that simple.
Why havarti you ask? With havarti sales up 20% versus cheddar that’s down 2%, Canadians are clearly gravitating towards this versatile and mild cheese that offers multiple flavours and gives you that epic cheese pull every time.
Imagine finishing off your nachos with a jalapeno flavoured havarti, or melting some smoked havarti on a cheese dog, or baking your mac and cheese with a roasted garlic havarti? This one simple swap elevates the entire dish!
Steven recommends choosing an expertly crafted havarti like his favourite Castello, which is made with 100% Canadian dairy, no artificial ingredients and comes in seven different flavours so you can get creative with your recipes using dill, jalapeno, roasted garlic, smoked, herbs and spices, garden vegetable and the original creamy.
To help you savour every bit and bite of summer, Steven has created the following havarti makeover recipes that will impress your family and friends all season long.
Summer Queso-licious: Steven turns queso from drab to fab by replacing cheddar with jalapeno flavoured havarti in this classic summer dish:
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:
- 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)
- Gradually whisk in milk, bring to boil, then reduce heat until thick. Add the Havarti gradually until incorporated.
- 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: For elegant picnics in the park or backyard entertaining, Steven’s reconstructed Monte Cristo features two swaps in one – creamy and smoked havarti instead of swiss cheese, and homemade waffles for bread!
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:
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.
Serve with maple syrup on the side.
French Toast Affair: From brunch to lunch, Steven reimagined a decadent sweet and savoury twist on French Toast that stuffs seasonal strawberries, poached pears and creamy havarti cheese inside, instead of on top, for a Steven-styled makeover plated to stunning perfection.
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:
- In a large skillet, sauté the pears in butter and cinnamon until tender (5-8 minutes)
- Whisk together eggs and milk and place in a shallow bowl
- Build a sandwich with the cooked pears and a generous amount of Castello Creamy Havarti. Option to add in sliced strawberries.
- 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
- Lightly dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup
For the Kids: Steven gave grilled cheese, pizza, poutine, mac & cheese, and nachos a havarti makeover and received rave reviews from the kids (and adults) who tested it! A must try according to Steven – dill pickle havarti in grilled cheese. The kids will ask for seconds and thirds!
For more fun and delicious havarti recipes visit https://www.castellocheese.com/en-ca/ and pick up your favourite flavours at local grocery stores across Canada.