To say that I like cheese is an understatement. I never hesitate to add – generously – here and there bits of Comté, grated cheddar, shavings of Parmesan, slices of Camembert and melted raclette. When the days get colder, the light fades, and the fog lifts, cheese seems to me to be the anti-depression remedy par excellence. And I know I’m not the only one.
Recipe #1: mac and cheese with cheddar and chorizo
If in my childhood, it was shelled ham like many of us, on the other side of the Atlantic, the regressive flavor would rather be called “mac and cheese” for macaroni and cheese all beautifully browned. An easy delight, made with béchamel. At home, I like to flavor it with chorizo to add lots of warmth to this winter oven dish.
In my kitchen ? I cook 150g of macaroni according to the package instructions (often 6 minutes). Separately, I heat 60 cl of milk (preferably whole) with 4 or 5 slices of chorizo pieces, mild or strong depending on taste. In another saucepan, I melt 40 g of butter. When it is melted, I add 3 tbsp. tablespoons of flour to obtain a roux, then gradually add the hot milk. I add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 100g of grated cheddar. When the cheese is melted and the sauce homogeneous, I add the macaroni. Finally, I pour everything into a baking dish, spread 50 g of grated cheddar on top. and bake for 30 minutes in the oven preheated to 180°C.
The plus of this recipe
The chorizo that flavors the milk. You can replace the latter with herbs or use blue cheese instead of cheddar.
Recipe no. 2: cancoillotte tartiflette
Like everyone, I love tartiflette. With its soft potatoes, crispy bacon, soft onions and above all its reblochon gratin, this winter dish to cook in the oven has it all. To change a little and lighten the story, I use cancoillotte, this light Franche-Comté cheese which has the advantage – in addition to being very delicious – of being very runny once heated.
In my kitchen ? I cut 1 kg of peeled potatoes into strips and cook them in broth with 1 bay leaf for 15 minutes to soften them. Separately, I slice 150 g of bacon, peel and slice 3 cloves of garlic and 3 onions. I brown the garlic and sweat the onion with a little oil for 2 to 3 minutes, I add the bacon and mix. Finally, I heat the cancoillotte in a ramekin.
Time for assembly. I place a layer of potato strips in a baking dish, I add a little of the onion-bacon mixture then the melted cancoillotte, I season with salt, pepper, and Espelette pepper, then start again. operation until the ingredients are used up.
I bake for 25 minutes in the oven preheated to 180°C.
The plus of this recipe
The use of the cancoillotte which allows you to discover a new cheese and lighten this recipe.
Recipe no. 3: Camembert with honey and dried fruits
Baked Camembert is an easy recipe, to prepare in just two steps. Simply garnished with honey and a few dried fruits, it transforms into a sweet and sour delight, perfectly seasonal, after a few minutes of cooking in the oven.
In my kitchen ? I take the camembert out of its box, place it on a sheet of parchment paper, then put everything back in the lower part of the box. I cut the top then pour 1 tbsp. tablespoon of honey. I add 20 g of chopped dried fruit, and bake for 15 minutes at 180°C.
The plus of this recipe
Ease of execution and speed of cooking! Chestnut, acacia, spring, choose your favorite honey for this recipe.
