In his 1994 track "Warning," Notorious B.I.G. famously exclaimed, "touch my cheddar, feel my Beretta." Was he talking about cheese? Probably not. But we are. And while it's impossible to pinpoint when and how exactly cheddar became synonymous with cold, hard, cash, but if we had to venture a guess, it'd probably be because everyone loves it and everyone wants it—and it often comes in golden yellow bricks.
From its 12th-century origins in southwest England (King Henry II once purchased more than 10,000 pounds if cheddar in the year 1170), to its modern ubiquity in dairy cases the world over, the making of cheddar has remained much the same: Large curds are separated from the whey, after which they're salted and pressed into molds to drain and dry. Brilliant orange annatto seeds are sometimes used to lend it a richer orange color, which some believe was done to more closely resemble the saturated hue of cheeses made from grass-fed cows.
Whichever way the cheddar crumbles, it makes a great cooking cheese, melting easily into biscuits, shortbreads, and pasta, and always providing a sharp, recognizable cheese flavor. Here are are 13 recipes to help you get some cheddar of your own.
American Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
When making these buttery little biscuits, opt for a true American cheese—fourth-generation Wisconsin cheesemaker Sid Cook, of Carr Valley Cheese, advised us to use a three-year-old extra-sharp cheddar. Get the recipe for American Cheddar Cheese Biscuits »
Virginia Ham and White Cheddar Croquettes
Crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, potato croquettes filled with a combination of white cheddar and salty ham are the ultimate party snack. Get the recipe for Virginia Ham and White Cheddar Croquettes »
Pecan Cheese Wafers
Pecans lightly brushed with egg whites are baked into cheesy, buttery wafers with a touch of chile flakes. Get the recipe for Pecan Cheese Wafers »
Tuna Melt Canapes
Curry powder, raisins, and chutney pair nicely with cheddar cheese in this dressed-up tuna melt. Get the recipe for Tuna Melt Canapes »
Southern-Style Mac and Cheese
In this wonderful regional take on mac and cheese, grated onion and Worcestershire sauce are added to the mix.
White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
Sun-dried tomatoes and chopped ham turn up the flavor in this baked pasta. Get the recipe for White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese »
Sharp Cheddar Sandwich
Dense rye bread is the perfect base for a generous smear of not-too-spicy whole-grain mustard topped with thin slices of a sharp cheddar. Get the recipe for Sharp Cheddar Sandwich »
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli and cheddar are a classic pair; their mellow flavors marry in this creamy casserole, a weeknight staple from former Saveur editor Kellie Evans’ mother, Patricia. Get the recipe for Broccoli Casserole »
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