I might be in the self-proclaimed cheese capital of the country, but finding good cheese in Wisconsin can be a bit of an adventure. This place is as well known for cheese curds as it is mayonnaise salads. But every now and then there's something fun in terms of cheese. I'm particularly fond of brick cheese, which I've never noticed in any other part of the country. Although I hope it does exist because it should. Today, though, I've finally ventured into bread cheese. Cheese bread is meant for grilling. It's a lot like an unbreaded cheese stick, which is absolutely my favorite thing ever. I made Marinara to go along with it and chose the Garlic Bread Cheese variety.
There are various types of flavored bread cheeses. I got a garlic bread variety to go with the marinara. Although you can get any type of bread cheese or grilling cheese that you like. Just make sure to to bread cheeses that won't hold their shape will heating. Cheeses like cheese curds and mozzarella will need to be breaded before cooking. Otherwise, they'll flatten out and make little fried cheese pancakes. You can easily bread them and lightly fry them according to these instructions. Just add a hefty splash of oil in the pan before cooking. Bread cheese doesn't require oil in a well-seasoned cast iron pan, though, because it is so oily that it will generate its own oil pool to keep it from sticking. Breaded cheese will need that extra layer of oil, though!
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Variations of Fried Garlic Bread Cheese
I typically fry tofu like this, rather than cheese. Although there are some fun ways to make cheese dishes that have a similar feel to them. Most of the time I'm going to fry breaded cheese, like cheese curds. Baked cheese dips are also a great option. Along with cheese sauces in a multitude of variations.
Fried Garlic Bread Cheese is an incredibly simple recipe. It's a great quick and easy mozzarella stick alternative without the fuss and muss of having to bread and deep fry them. hich is possible at home, but a little more work than I always want to put into late night snack food! Although I have an Air Fryer Cheese Curdrecipe that can made with mozzarella. All fried Garlic Bread Cheese requires is a pan (preferably cast iron) and a stovetop. This dish can also be made in an air fryer.
Add the garlic and onion to a skillet and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes on low heat.
Add the tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper (everything except for the wine) and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Add the wine and simmer another 15-30 minutes, depending on the consistency and sweetness that you prefer.
Garlic Bread Cheese
Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat.
Meanwhile, slice the cheese to the desired thickness. I cut mine to about 1/2-inch strips. Although you can cut them anywhere from 1/2-inch to 1-inch or even just fry up the entire block.
Place on the preheated skillet and fry until golden brown. Rotate until all sides have been cooked.I grilled mine for about 3-5 minutes per side. Although the exact cooking time is less precise and more a matter of watching for doneness! Just look for when it begins to brown and the center begins to soften. If the outside of the cheese is browning too quickly, reduce the temperature.
Tips, Tricks, & Notes
I have yet to try this recipe in the Air Fryer. Although I think that this might be a great air fryer recipe. I use a silicone tray in mine most of the time because I absolutely detest cleaning the air fryer and this prevents food from falling in between the slats and gunking up the bottom of the fryer. Bread cheese is intended to fry, though, so I can see it keeping its shape and not melting into the fryer bed. Especially since that is the broad point of this cheese.
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