Cheese.

By Robert Nowinski

     Cheese, made from milk, is known for charcuterie boards, sandwiches such as grilled cheese, and fondue. But what is the best cheese for dishes? Today we will answer that question.

     Starting off with the humble grilled cheese, many types work. Some commonly used cheeses are Sharp Cheddar, American, Pepperjack, Mozzarella, and Swiss. I believe that Sharp Cheddar and Pepperjack are the best due to their classic flavors and the pop that Pepperjack gives. You can also add salami or ham to the sandwich to enhance the flavor. American is good for melting and a classic, but I do prefer the others over it since there is a less processed flavor in them.

     Charcuterie boards, hailing from the great country of France, are commonly seen at wineries and parties everywhere for a nice, quick, and easy food item, but they can be so much more. A nice, soft Brie is always nice to have, and works great as a spreading cheese. To go with that, if you want to be really fancy, you can add Mascarpone or Burrata. Some harder cheeses are also good to have for people who want to make more of a sandwich style cracker. Cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan are all excellent choices. 

    Now, the most fancy thing: fondue. The upper class, high society dish, that was originally made by Alpine farmers who melted their cheese to make stale bread taste better. Now, this Swiss dish has become famous. Normally a bunch of different cheeses are melted in a pot, and you get bread and some meats to dip. Most would recommend Gruyère alongside other melty cheese such as Cheddar, Fontina, and Gouda. This, plus the bread, meat and other items, makes this a good dish for date night since the experience is unique, especially if you go to a place that specializes in it. 

  Finally, the most important cheese dish: Mac and Cheese. This is dependent on both the pasta and the cheese choice. Elbow macaroni is a classic choice, as is the cheese of Sharp Cheddar. Shells and White Cheddar is another good combo. You can use any cheese and pasta combo, but not all are good options. However, angel hair or spaghetti is the big option that is definitely wrong.

     There are many other types that work well with specific dishes, such as Greek Feta and salad, Mexican Cotija/Oaxaca and tacos, Parmesan and pasta, any French cheese and wine, Labneh and bread, and many more. Cheese is enjoyed by many around the world and tastes very good. Go eat some cheese. NOW.