Kaasprak, a unique and delectable Dutch dish, is a delightful combination of mashed potatoes and cheese. This traditional comfort food is a true culinary gem, enjoyed by people of all ages in the Netherlands and beyond. Typically served as a main course or a hearty side dish, Kaasprak showcases the harmonious blend of creamy potatoes, flavorful cheese, and a crispy, golden-brown crust. This versatile dish can be easily customized to suit different preferences, with a wide range of cheese options and additional ingredients to add a personal touch. In this article, we present three enticing variations of Kaasprak: the Classic Kaasprak, the Spicy Chorizo Kaasprak, and the Vegetarian Kaasprak. Each recipe offers a distinct flavor profile, ensuring that there's a perfect Kaasprak for every palate. So, let's embark on a culinary journey and discover the delightful flavors of this Dutch classic, Kaasprak, in its various forms.
Let's cook with our recipes!
KAASPRAK (CHEESE MASH)
I was asked for a typical Dutch recipe and while I can't vouch for its authenticity it is a recipe that came from my grandmother and handed down to my mother down to me. Originally this recipe was used to use up leftover old cheese; as far as I know however no one did this in my family. This recipe is still a favorite in our family and I guess this mash is what's considered comfort food, in any case, it's easy to make and somehow I never seem to make enough. We eat it with a fried egg and pickles. The cheese we use is probably difficult or impossible to come by outside the Netherlands. We use "belegen" or "extra belegen" Gouda cheese. If you can get your hands on Gouda cheese go for the medium aged one (not the mild/young or old varieties). By the way, feel free to experiment with different kinds of cheese but do take one with a strong flavor, one that melds nicely and is rather salty (so called "American cheese" is wrong if you'd ask me). You can make this in advance, let's say in the morning, and store in your refrigerator.
Provided by Marc 2
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h30m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Slice the onion in half rings approximate 1/8 inch thick (about 3 millimeters), very slowly simmer the onion in the butter until translucent. (Add a splash of water if it goes too fast).
- Cut the cheese in about half inch cubes.
- Make a stock with the stock cube.
- Cook and mash the potatoes and mix with the milk and stock, it should be rather thin (runs of a metal spoon). (Do not use all the stock, that's way too much. Think of it as thick porridge).
- Taste and add salt and pepper to the mash (careful with the salt, the cheese and stock adds salt as well).
- Mix the cheese cubes and the onions (with its buttery goodness) through the mash with a spoon and transfer to an oven proof (glass or pyrex and deep, not a shallow) baking dish. The cheese is not supposed to melt at this stage, maybe a little on the outside.
- Put the dish (without a lid) in an oven (preheated to 180 degrees Celsius) for approximately 45 minutes or until the top becomes golden brown. (If you have a glass baking dish you can see the cheese bubbling away in the bottom so you know it's heated through).
- Serve with a baked egg and a gherkin.
CHEESY MUSTARD MASH
Serve up a side that's lower in fat than most mash recipes, plus has a crispy cheddar cheese topping and thyme flavour
Provided by Jane Hornby
Categories Dinner, Side dish
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 20 mins or until tender, then drain.
- Heat the grill to high. Mash the potatoes until smooth, then beat in the crème fraîche and half the cheese. Season to taste, then spoon the hot mash into a medium baking dish and smooth the top.
- Mix together the rest of the cheese, the mustard and thyme leaves. Spread over the mash with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Grill until the cheese is melting and golden, then serve with the beef.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 calories, Fat 8 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 41 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 9 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium
PASKHA CHEESE
Categories Milk/Cream Mixer Cheese Easter Vegetarian Raisin Brandy Spring Sour Cream Gourmet
Yield Makes10 generous servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat brandy with raisins in a small saucepan over low heat until warm, then remove from heat and let steep until raisins are softened, about 15 minutes.
- Force cheese and yolks through a potato ricer or a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl.
- Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cheese mixture, sour cream, vanilla, and salt and beat until just combined. Beat cream in a bowl with cleaned beaters until it holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream and raisins with any remaining brandy into cheese mixture gently but thoroughly.
- Line mold (or flowerpot) with a single layer of cheesecloth, leaving a 2- to 3-inch overhang on all sides. Spoon cheese mixture into mold, then fold ends of cheesecloth over top. Put lid on cheesecloth, then put weights on lid (or on foil and small plate if using flowerpot). Chill mold on a large plate (to catch drips) at least 24 hours.
- Remove lid from mold and open cheesecloth. Invert a serving plate over top of mold and invert mold onto plate. Unlock hinges and open mold, removing cheesecloth. Loosely cover cheese with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
- *Available at some supermarkets, many cheese shops, and Murray's cheese shop (888-692-4339).
- **We got our mold from Toroney's Custom Woodwork and Church Supply (610-942-3506).
TYPICAL DUTCH BREAKFAST / VLOKKEN, KWINKSLAG EN HAGEL
When Dutch young people between the ages of 2 and 99 get up in the morning, this is often the breakfast of choice. It's very very traditional in the Netherlands and here we have Vlokken and Hagelslag in many variations of colours, textures and flavours. What is it, you might ask? well the most basic one looks like the little chocolate bits used in cake decoration LOL, but here it's served up on bread (NEVER toast) for breakfast. If you are really Dutch and/or really brave you eat it as an open sandwich, to the untrained in the art of Hagelslag this can result in more of the chocolate bits on the floor than in your mouth, so beginners might perfer to add an extra slice of bread on the top to keep everything in a little better. Use margarine or slightly softened butter on the bread to help keep everything in place too. For the "quantity" of hagel I have been conservative but for Dutch kids the rule of thumb is: get as much on as you think you can get away with! Enjoy!
Provided by kiwidutch
Categories Breakfast
Time 2m
Yield 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Take the slice of bread (always bread, Toast is a concept from over to other side of the English Channel).
- Spread one side with margarine or softened butter.
- Pour on your hagelslag, vlokken or kwinkslag (you can press it down with a knife to make it stick a little better if you want).
- Cut the slice of bread in half and eat!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 66.5, Fat 0.8, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 127.8, Carbohydrate 12.7, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 1.1, Protein 1.9
PASKHA
This traditional Russian dessert is similar to a no-bake cheesecake. Dried-pineapple cutouts embellish this cake, but Martha sometimes uses jelly beans instead.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Time 8h25m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Press cheese through a medium strainer set over a bowl.
- Using a mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk yolks with sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; add cheese, butter, nutmeg, zest, and peel and mix until very smooth. Still mixing, add cream in a slow, steady stream just until combined. Stir in vanilla.
- Line a 5 1/2-by-7-inch paskha mold, flowerpot, or strainer with dampened cheesecloth; add batter. Fold cheesecloth over top. Top with two stacked plates weighted with 2 to 3 cans (or 2 to 3 pounds of pie weights). Place filled mold over a wide, empty cooking pot in refrigerator; let drain overnight.
- Remove weights and plate; pull back cheesecloth from base. Carefully invert mold onto a serving plate and remove paskha; remove cheesecloth. Decorate with dried fruits; serve.
Tips:
- Use high-quality cheese for the best flavor. Look for cheeses that are flavorful and have a smooth texture.
- If you don't have any milk on hand, you can use water instead. However, milk will give the kaasprak a richer flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the kaasprak. It should be cooked until it is just melted and smooth.
- Serve the kaasprak immediately with your favorite bread or vegetables.
Conclusion:
Kaasprak is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is a great way to use up leftover cheese, and it is also a perfect comfort food. Whether you serve it as a dip, a spread, or a main course, kaasprak is sure to be a hit.
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