Move Over Cheddar! It’s Time for a Havarti Makeover

Every summer, a food hack goes viral bringing us treats like cottage cheese ice cream, watermelon slushies and more. And now, thanks to Canada’s favourite makeover king Steven Sabados, we have an easy, cheesy havarti hack that will have you rethinking what you eat this summer!

Just swap out the cheddar in your classic dishes for havarti instead.  It’s that easy!  But why is this a game-changer?  First, havarti is so mild and creamy that it melts like a dream and gives you that epic cheese pull every time – and second, havarti comes in so many different flavours allowing you to elevate a classic with one simple swap!

Just look at Castello Havarti, Canada’s number one selling havarti and Steven’s favourite choice with seven different flavours.  Imagine replacing your nachos with Jalapeno Havarti?  Or your grilled cheese with Dill Pickle Havarti.  One little change and you’ve created a twist on a classic that levels-up any dish.  And because Castello is made with 100% Canadian milk and no artificial ingredients, you have that guarantee of quality every time.   

Steven wants Canadians to know havarti is for so much more than sandwiches, so he created a variety of havarti makeover recipes that are ideal for the summer into the fall. Be sure to give them a try and tell him what you think with a DM on Instagram @sabados

Summer Queso-licious

Steven turns your queso from drab to fab by swapping the cheddar with jalapeno flavoured havarti. 

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:

1. 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) 
2. Gradually whisk in milk, bring to boil, then reduce heat until thick. Add the Havarti gradually until incorporated.
3. 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, this reconstructed Monte Cristo uses creamy and smoked havarti instead of cheddar, and replaces sandwich bread with waffles. Two hacks in one!

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:

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. In a large skillet, sauté the pears in butter and cinnamon until tender (5-8 minutes)
2. Whisk together eggs and milk and place in a shallow bowl
3. Build a sandwich with the cooked pears and a generous amount of Castello Creamy Havarti. Option to add in sliced strawberries.
4. 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
5. 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!  Try roasted garlic havarti for the pizza, herbs and spices for poutine, and creamy havarti for the mac & cheese. 
For more fun and delicious havarti recipes visit https://www.castellocheese.com/en-ca/ or check out your local grocery store to grab your favourite havarti flavour!