Tag: Cheese

High Olympics Scores, Right Mood for Valentines Day

When the calendar flips from the Olympic Games to Valentine’s Day, the menu doesn’t need a complete makeover — it just gets a little cozier.

Warm, melty, shareable cheese dishes are the ultimate crossover: bold and snackable for game-day gatherings, then comforting and romantic for a night in. Whether you’re hosting a house full of fans or setting the table for two, premium cheeses from Gayo Azul, Royal Hollandia, and A Dutch Masterpiece turn everyday recipes into crave-worthy moments.

From crispy Cotija-topped veggie fries to a bubbling Maasdam bread bowl and an elegant Gouda quiche, these easy, flavor-forward recipes deliver crowd appeal and cozy indulgence — perfect from kickoff to candlelight.

“Great cheese has a way of bringing people together, whether you’re cheering with friends or sharing a quiet meal at home,” said Josh Rosen, Brand Manager, for FrieslandCampina, parent company of Gayo Azul, Royal Hollandia and A Dutch Masterpiece. “Our cheeses add depth, richness, and that unmistakable Dutch character that instantly elevates any dish — it’s comfort food with a touch of romance.”

And now… let’s get cooking.

Crispy Zucchini Fries with Gayo Azul Cotija & Herbed Yogurt Dip

Photo and recipe: Claire Scott

Crispy, golden zucchini fries finished with crumbly, tangy Gayo Azul Cotija deliver the perfect salty bite. Oven-baked and paired with a cool, creamy herbed yogurt dip, this lighter appetizer feels equally at home at a Super Bowl or Olympic watch party — or served as a shareable Valentine’s starter.

Recipe

For the Zucchini Fries:

• 3 medium zucchini
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon pink salt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• Avocado or olive oil spray

For the Herbed Dipping Sauce:

• ¾ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp Gayo Azul Cotija cheese, crumbled
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper

Topping:

• Fresh parsley
• Extra Cotija crumbles

To Make:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Slice zucchini into sticks and pat dry.
  3. Combine breadcrumbs, flour, and seasonings.
  4. Whisk eggs separately.
  5. Dip zucchini in egg, then breadcrumbs.
  6. Bake 20 minutes until golden and crisp, turning once.
  7. Mix dip ingredients and serve hot with extra Cotija and parsley.

Royal Hollandia Mild Maasdam Cheese Dip Bread Bowl

Photo and recipe: Jacqueline Wormington

The Ultimate Game-Day Centerpiece

A hollowed sourdough boule filled with creamy, garlicky Maasdam cheese dip, baked until hot and bubbling. Tear, dip, repeat. It’s the kind of dramatic, melty centerpiece that disappears fast at a party — and feels just as indulgent for a cozy night in.

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

Bread Bowl

• 1 sourdough loaf
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Maasdam Cheese Dip

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup whipped feta
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 oz Royal Hollandia Mild Maasdam, shredded
• 4 oz mozzarella, shredded
• 4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1½ Tbsp hot sauce
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Hollow bread, brush with oil, season.
  3. Blend dip ingredients until creamy.
  4. Fill bread bowl and bake 20–30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
  5. Serve with torn bread, pretzels, or veggies.
Photo: Jacqueline Wormington

A Dutch Masterpiece Rembrandt Gouda & Spinach Quiche

An Elegant Valentine’s Brunch or Dinner Favorite

(photo and recipe credit A Dutch Masterpiece)

Nutty, buttery Rembrandt Gouda melts beautifully into a silky egg custard with spinach for a savory quiche that’s both comforting and refined. Garnish with prosciutto roses or edible flowers and it becomes a romantic centerpiece worthy of Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust
• 6 eggs
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt & pepper
• 1 wedge A Dutch Masterpiece Rembrandt Gouda, shredded
• 2 (10 oz) boxes frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Whisk eggs, cream, and seasoning.
  3. Stir in Gouda and spinach.
  4. Pour into crust and bake 30–35 minutes until set and golden.
  5. Decorate as desired before serving.

From crispy appetizers to bubbling dips and elegant brunch dishes, cheese has a way of turning simple moments into shared memories. With bold Cotija, silky Maasdam, and rich Gouda, these recipes transition seamlessly from lively celebrations to intimate evenings — proving that great cheese makes every night feel like an occasion.

About Gayo Azul

Gayo Azul crafts authentic Hispanic-style cheeses known for bold flavor and everyday versatility. From signature Cotija to fresh, crumbly favorites, Gayo Azul helps home cooks and chefs bring vibrant taste and tradition to every meal. You can learn more at www.gayoazul.com

About Royal Hollandia

Royal Hollandia produces premium Dutch cheeses using time-honored techniques and high-quality milk. From Mild Maasdam to classic Gouda, Royal Hollandia cheeses are celebrated for exceptional melt, rich flavor, and effortless entertaining.
www.royalhollandia.com

About A Dutch Masterpiece

A Dutch Masterpiece showcases the art of traditional Dutch cheesemaking through its collection of aged, specialty cheeses crafted in the Netherlands. Made with high-quality milk and patiently matured for complex flavor and distinctive character, each wheel reflects generations of expertise. From the caramel notes of Rembrandt Gouda to other bold, expressive varieties, A Dutch Masterpiece cheeses deliver gourmet depth, beautiful melt, and standout taste for entertaining, cooking, and everyday indulgence.
www.adutchmasterpiece.com

About Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.

Gayo Azul, Royal Hollandia and A Dutch Masterpiece stand as proud brands under the umbrella of Royal FrieslandCampina. The company enriches millions of lives across the globe by delivering dairy products infused with the essential nutrients of milk. FrieslandCampina products grace over a hundred countries, with its Central Office situated in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. The company’s endeavors span four global market-focused business groups: Food & Beverage, Specialized Nutrition, Trading, and Ingredients. Fully owned by Zuivelcoöpate FrieslandCampina U.A., which represents 16,995 dairy farmers across the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, FrieslandCampina is one of the world’s most prominent dairy cooperatives. For further insights, explore: www.frieslandcampina.com. Gayo Azul is proud to be a part of FrieslandCampina, enriching lives worldwide with dairy products infused with essential nutrients from milk.

Follow me on Threads.

Pizza Bagels, Video Games, and Batteries

I needed to drop one of my children at their friend’s house last week. I know the father, so I stayed for a bit and talked over a beer. We were in the living room, where one of his kids was playing video games.

Video Games

I’ve met a lot of kids over the course of parenthood, foster parenting, coaching, school pickup and drop-off, and a variety of other circumstances and duties. I think teens are the funniest, and this encounter with another life expert who is still in high school was no exception. Loyal daddies and mommies are familiar with our friend Wilt. Wilt was a child of another friend who seemed to know everything about life, especially basketball. Check out the link I so generously provided. If you have teenagers, you’ll understand what I’m telling you.

I think teenagers are the funniest, and this encounter with another life expert who is still in high school is no exception.

My child and I arrive at the house and the younger children quickly disappear upstairs. I remain downstairs, where “15” is dealing with one of the many challenges you face when trying to assemble a team on a video game. Dad is also in the living room finishing up work before getting ready to go out for the evening. It’s not an easy time for “15”. He’s playing a soccer game on his console, and he’s trying to assemble a national team. Apparently American soccer players are few and far between, and the good ones are even harder to find. I would like to help him, but I know nothing about who plays soccer, let alone where they hail from.

My friend and I watch “15” scroll through lists of players and their attributes. I offer whatever advice I can, but nothing works. The game works in a certain way, and you can’t just create a player and place him on your team. I literally haven’t played a soccer video game since last century, so I’m pretty much useless.

The Smoke Alarm

It gets harder for “15”. Not only does the field of available players lack what he needs, but the battery in the living room’s smoke alarm died, and there is an annoying “chirp” signaling the need for a new one. Each shrill call for a new battery is grating on the virtual general manager, who is having enough headaches with his lacking roster. He’s finally had enough, and he marches to the smoke detector, pulls it from the wall, and then the real struggle begins.

“15” has the smoke detector in his hands. The battery needs to be replaced, but first the old battery needs to be extracted. The Chinese water torture is getting to be too much for the lad, who can get the compartment open, but can’t get the battery out. Dad is enjoying this and so am I, to be honest with you. Finally, I show mercy to the poor child and take the battery out for them. After said extraction, I hold up the 9-volt nemesis and sing, “Ta-daa!” Now it’s time for a new battery, but there is no 9-volt battery in the house. So, the smoke detector sits on the end table sans battery for the time being.

A New Battery

I return home to take care of some chores and duties while my child is away at her friends. My friend has plans that evening, so I am sure to be there promptly to take my child home. I arrive at the house with a gift for “15”. A brand new 9-volt battery. To this day, I am mad at myself for not putting a bow on it.

Loaded and ready

I proudly present the lad with the gift and the life lesson. He installs the battery and places the smoke detector back in its proper place. Dad and I are proud of the child for doing his part to keep the house and his family safe and secure. Now, it’s back to video games where he has moved on from soccer to basketball. Dad and I are watching him scroll through teams and players. “15” makes some comments about Larry Bird, causing Dad to educate his child about Bird and Bill Russell. Meanwhile, we continue to watch him play.

“Hey, Auerbach,” I say.

“What?”

“I called you ‘Auerbach’.” Dad laughs. The child has no idea what I’m talking about, nor does he understand the reference to his basketball personnel moves.

Pizza Bagels

It’s time for a break in the action. “15” needs food. His dad follows him to the kitchen for a beer. “15” wants to make a pizza bagel. Dad and I watch the child struggle to slice a pre-sliced bagel. We remind the child it’s already pre-sliced, but this doesn’t matter to him because it’s not, “pre-sliced enough”. He gets the bagel sliced and prepares with sauce and toasts it. When it’s done, he has enough grated parmesan cheese for a dozen pizza bagels.

“Hey, Fieri,” I say after a sip of my beer, “Do you want some bagel to go with that cheese?”

One of the beers I received.

He tells me he has a solution and carefully shakes some cheese from one slice of the bagel onto the other slice. He then proceeds to eat the bagel while standing up, back turned to the counter. Crumbs fall to the floor. I tell him I’m willing to bet Dad has invested in some plates for the house. Dad tells me he needs to constantly remind him to use a plate when eating. I had no idea it was so chronic.

Driving home with my child, I ask how things went for them. I get home and enjoy one of the beers my friend sent home with me. My daughter and I watch some important, informative video on Harry Potter. While sipping my beer, I wonder if parents of teenagers were really meant to survive.

My new book, “A Collection of Short Stories” is now available on Apple Books.

Verified by MonsterInsights