Cheese Curd Holiday Recipes

Cheese curds are a specific type of cheese only available in certain areas, most notable Wisconsin and Quebec. Because of this, although anyone can enjoy their deliciousness by finding a local or online retailer, it makes it hard to find exactly what to make with cheese curds. Because they aren’t commonly found, there aren’t many holiday recipes in particular for cheese curds, but you can adapt almost any recipe to make it great for the holidays.

Replacing Cheddar Cheese

If you have cheese curds on hand and want to use them in a holiday dish, the easiest way to find a recipe would be to swap them out for standard cheddar cheese. Keep in mind, however, that they will not be sharp like aged cheddars as cheese curds are best eaten fresh. You will also have to account for the difference in texture and melting properties.

Poutine

Poutine is delicious all year round and is the traditional dish from Quebec that features cheese curds. The basic idea behind this dish is to take some fresh French fries, pile on cheddar cheese curds, and then top it all with delicious gravy. The addition of gravy makes it the perfect comfort food for winter months. You can always serve it on festive plates to keep in the holiday spirit.

Fried Cheese Curds

Although fried cheese curds are good all year round, they are the perfect late night snack. This means that when you are up late after your holiday party, waiting for Santa, or waiting for the ball to drop on New Year’s Eve, they can help you keep your energy levels up. Simply make some batter by mixing milk, all-purpose flour, eggs, beer, and salt, coat the cheese curds, and deep fry them.

Cheese Curd Risotto Cake

When it comes to the holidays, most people either attend a party or host one. No matter which you plan on doing, you will need to contribute a food item, such as this delicious cheese curd risotto cake. Chances are no one has ever had something like it before, so it will be a new experience, and hopefully one they want to repeat.

You need to start off by making plain risotto until it is softly floating, then add in fresh Parmesan. After the risotto cools, fold in cheese curds and put the entire thing in a baking dish lined with plastic wrap. Put this in the fridge for at least three hours. Cut the risotto loaf into smaller cakes, coating them in flour and sauteing them with clarified butter to create a golden crust. Although it is a bit complicated, your holiday guests will be truly impressed with the result and probably ask you for the recipe.