Discover the Delicious Flavors of Keystone Cheese: Three Recipes to Try

 

Discover the Delicious Flavors of Keystone Cheese: Three Recipes to Try

If you love cheese, you're going to want to get to know Keystone Cheese. This Wisconsin-based cheesemaker offers a wonderful selection of handcrafted cheeses made in small batches with premium ingredients. Keystone says its cheeses are made with simple, honest ingredients, with no unnecessary additives or preservatives, and its milk is sourced from small family-owned farms in Wisconsin.

This Wisconsin-based cheesemaker offers a wonderful selection of handcrafted cheeses made in small batches with premium ingredients. Keystone says its cheeses are made with simple, honest ingredients, with no unnecessary additives or preservatives, and its milk is sourced from small family-owned farms in Wisconsin.

What really caught my attention is the variety of creative flavors that they sent over. From savory bacon cheddar to sweet and unexpected cinnamon apple cheddar and cranberry-infused cheddar, these aren't just cheeses for a snack tray. They're cheeses that can turn an everyday meal into something special.

Keystone's Bacon Cheddar is a mild cheddar infused with real bacon bits, giving you that familiar combination of creamy cheddar and smoky, savory bacon in every bite.

The Cinnamon Apple Cheddar is especially fun. This mild yellow cheddar contains real apple pieces and cinnamon, creating a sweet-and-savory combination reminiscent of the classic pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese.

And if you're a cranberry fan, the Cranberry Infused Cheddar combines mild white cheddar with real cranberries. The result is a nutty, rich cheese balanced by the tart sweetness of cranberry. Keystone recommends it for sandwiches, dips, casseroles, soups, or simply enjoying it sliced.

I decided to take these three unique cheeses into the kitchen and create three recipes that show just how versatile they can be.

🥓 Bacon Cheddar Chicken Breast

This easy chicken dinner combines tender chicken breast with the savory flavor of bacon and cheddar. It's simple enough for a weeknight but delicious enough for company.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 6–8 ounces Keystone Bacon Cheddar, sliced or shredded

• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or parsley, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Add the chicken and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, just until nicely browned.

5. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over each chicken breast.

6. Top generously with shredded or sliced Keystone Bacon Cheddar.

7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Garnish with green onions or parsley before serving.

Serving idea: Pair this chicken with roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, or a crisp garden salad.

The combination of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and melted bacon cheddar makes this a comfort-food dinner that's hard to resist.

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🍎 Cinnamon Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese doesn't always have to be savory! Keystone's Cinnamon Apple Cheddar is perfect for creating a sweet-and-savory sandwich with buttery toasted bread, warm apples, and melty cheese.

Ingredients

• 4 slices sourdough or cinnamon-raisin bread

• 4–6 ounces Keystone Cinnamon Apple Cheddar, sliced

• 1 small apple, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

1. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.

2. Place two slices butter-side down in a skillet.

3. Layer the cinnamon apple cheddar and thinly sliced apple over the bread.

4. Drizzle each sandwich with a little honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.

5. Add a few chopped pecans or walnuts if desired.

6. Top with the remaining bread slices, butter-side up.

7. Cook over medium-low heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

8. Carefully flip and toast the other side.

9. Slice in half and serve warm.

My favorite way to enjoy it: Serve this grilled cheese with a bowl of creamy tomato soup for a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese-and-soup combination.

The apples bring a little freshness, the cinnamon adds warmth, and the melted cheddar ties everything together beautifully.

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🍒 Cranberry Infused Cheddar Pork Tenderloin

For the third recipe, we're pairing Keystone's cranberry-infused cheddar with pork tenderloin. The tart cranberries and rich cheddar are a natural match for tender, savory pork.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds pork tenderloin

• 5–6 ounces Keystone Cranberry-Infused Cheddar, sliced

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

• ½ teaspoon rosemary

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ¼ cup chicken broth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Season the pork tenderloin with garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Brown the pork on all sides.

5. Mix the Dijon mustard, honey, and chicken broth together and pour around the pork.

6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

7. Remove the pork from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes.

8. Slice the tenderloin almost completely through at regular intervals, creating pockets.

9. Place slices of cranberry-infused cheddar into the pockets and sprinkle with dried cranberries.

10. Return the pork to the oven for a few minutes, just until the cheese begins to melt.

11. Slice and serve with the pan juices spooned over the top.

Serving suggestion: This pork is wonderful with mashed sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a simple wild rice pilaf.

A Cheese Lover's Dream

What I love about Keystone Cheese is that its cheeses encourage you to think beyond the traditional cheese-and-crackers snack. The company offers a wide selection of cheeses, including aged cheeses, cheddars, cheese curds, goat cheeses, jacks, spreads, and other specialty varieties.

The Bacon Cheddar brings savory flavor to chicken, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. The Cinnamon Apple Cheddar adds a fun sweet-and-savory element to grilled cheese, desserts, appetizers, and snack boards. And the cranberry-infused cheddar offers a delicious combination of rich cheddar and tart cranberry that works beautifully with meats, sandwiches, and holiday-inspired dishes.

Whether you're putting together a cheese board for guests or looking for something different to add to dinner, Keystone Cheese has plenty of creative flavors to explore.

For more information and to browse their selection, visit Keystone Cheese.com