Description
Ina Garten’s baked fontina cheese recipe delivers Italian comfort with garlic-herb infused melted cheese. Warm bread and elegant presentation make this simple appetizer perfect for gatherings, ensuring guests savor each rich, creamy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) fontina val d’aosta cheese, rind removed and 1-inch-diced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 1 tsp (5 ml) fresh rosemary leaves, minced
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 french baguette, crusty
Instructions
- Preparation: Position the oven rack 5 inches below the broiler and set to high heat, creating optimal melting conditions for the fontina cheese.
- Cheese Arrangement: Distribute fontina cheese cubes evenly across a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, preparing for a luxurious melting process.
- Herb Infusion: Finely chop garlic, thyme, and rosemary to create an aromatic herb blend that will elevate the cheese’s flavor profile.
- Seasoning and Coating: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the cheese, then generously scatter the herb mixture across the surface. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the dish’s taste dimensions.
- Broiling: Slide the skillet under the broiler, allowing the cheese to transform for 6-7 minutes. Watch for a golden-brown crust and bubbling texture that signals perfect melting.
- Serving: Carefully extract the skillet using heat-resistant gloves. Present the molten fontina immediately, accompanied by rustic chunks of crusty French baguette for an interactive and indulgent appetizer experience.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, fresh fontina with creamy texture and mild flavor for optimal melting and rich taste.
- Herb Precision: Finely chop herbs just before adding to preserve maximum aromatic oils and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Broiler Watch Closely: Monitor cheese constantly during broiling to prevent burning; golden-brown color indicates perfect caramelization.
- Serving Strategy: Serve immediately after broiling to enjoy the cheese’s maximum melted, gooey consistency and prevent solidification.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg