Description
Italian fontina emerges as a delectable cheese dish perfect for intimate gatherings. Garlic, herbs, and olive oil meld with melting cheese, creating a rustic appetizer you’ll eagerly share with close friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) fontina val d’aosta cheese, rind removed and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 french baguette, crusty
Instructions
- Preparation: Position the oven rack 5 inches beneath the broiler and activate at maximum heat, creating an optimal melting environment for the cheese.
- Cheese Arrangement: Spread diced Fontina evenly across a cast-iron skillet, drizzling extra virgin olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent adherence.
- Aromatic Infusion: Finely chop garlic, thyme, and rosemary, creating a fragrant herb blend that will elevate the cheese’s fundamental taste profile.
- Seasoning Layer: Distribute the herb-garlic mixture uniformly over the cheese, generously seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to intensify the overall gustatory experience.
- Broiling Transformation: Slide the skillet under the broiler, watching intently as the cheese morphs into a molten, golden-brown landscape with bubbling edges, approximately 6 minutes.
- Serving Spectacle: Extract the skillet using protective gloves, presenting directly at the table alongside crusty baguette chunks for an interactive, rustic dining moment.
Notes
- Precise Broiler Placement: Position rack exactly 5 inches from broiler to ensure even, quick melting without burning the delicate Fontina cheese.
- Select Quality Cast Iron: Use a 12-inch cast-iron skillet for optimal heat distribution and creating a professional, restaurant-style presentation.
- Herb and Garlic Balance: Finely mince herbs and garlic to release maximum flavor, ensuring even coverage and aromatic intensity across the melted cheese.
- Monitoring Melt Time: Watch closely during the 6-minute broiling process, as cheese can quickly transition from perfectly golden to burnt, requiring constant attention.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 401
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 357 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg