4 Delicious Havarti Cheese Recipes

Every summer, a food hack goes viral bringing us treats like cottage cheese ice cream, watermelon slushies and more. Now, Canada’s favourite makeover king Steven Sabados has joined the summer party by giving makeovers to classic dishes with one simple hack that will have you rethinking what you eat this season!

Steven Sabados is a Canadian television host, designer, and entrepreneur, best known for his work in the lifestyle and design space. He gained widespread recognition as the co-host of several popular television shows, often in collaboration with his late partner, Chris Hyndman. Some of his notable TV shows include: "Designer Guys", "Designer Rivals", "So Chic with Steven and Chris" and "Steven and Chris". Steven Sabados is also known for his work in product design, having launched his own line of home decor products. He continues to be a respected figure in the design community.

So this summer, Steven is encouraging Canadians to swap out their cheddar, mozzarella or favourite cheese with havarti, and tag him on social media with the hashtag #HavartiHack. He says to get creative with all the havarti flavours too as it’s the easiest and tastiest way to impress guests and family.

“Canadians need to know havarti is for so much more than sandwiches. It melts like a dream and can turn any meal from drab to fab with one simple swap,” says Steven.

Below are Steven’s havarti hack recommendations, with his signature zest and flair that shows how a tasty twist on a classic is always in style!

For the Sports Fans: Bacon cheese dogs and queso is a havarti halftime show you don’t want to miss! With a kick of spice from the jalapeno havarti for the queso, and a cheese dog wrapped in herbs and spices havarti, if you havarti a love for melted cheese, Steven says this will be a game changer!

For the Picnic Lovers: Time for some elevated outdoor entertaining with Steven’s Cristo Gone Couture - a reconstructed Monte Cristo sandwich with two swaps: homemade waffles for bread, and cheddar for smoked havarti, giving this recipe an air of refined indulgence.

For the Brunch Lover: This French Toast Affair is a reimagined decadent, sweet and savoury twist that stuffs seasonal strawberries, poached pears and creamy havarti inside two slices of French Toast for a Breakfast at Tiffany’s vibe.

For the Kids: Steven gave grilled cheese, pizza, poutine, mac & cheese, and nachos a havarti makeover and received rave reviews from the kids (and adults) who tested it! Steven used dill pickle havarti for the grilled cheese, roasted garlic havarti for the pizza, jalapeno havarti for the poutine, herbs and spices for the nachos, and creamy havarti for the mac & cheese.  Kids quotes: “Mom, why don’t you make it this way,” “Is there more,” “Best ever!”

Cristo Gone Couture

For elegant picnics in the park or backyard entertaining, Steven created his Cristo Gone Couture - a reconstructed Monte Cristo sandwich that swaps homemade waffles for bread, which he tops with slices of turkey and ham, crispy bacon and smoked cheese all plated in style. 

Ingredients:

2 cups grated Castello Creamy and Smoked Havarti cheese 

1/4 cup plum, or apricot preserves

8 frozen toaster waffles (or homemade waffles if you can)

4 slices of fresh deli turkey meat

4 slices of fresh deli ham

4 strips of cooked crispy bacon

Slices of tomato, optional

Handful of Micro Greens, optional

Maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat a large skillet or griddle. Spread preserves over 4 waffles, then layer with turkey, ham, bacon, and a generous amount of the Creamy and Smoked Havarti mixture. Option to add in slices of tomato and a handful of micro greens. Place the waffle on top and transfer to a lightly buttered griddle pan. Grill for 4-6 minutes or until golden and the cheese has melted.
2. Serve with maple syrup on the side.

Summer Queso-licious

Cheese dips have never been better with Steven’s havarti hack. Try it in any of your favourite cheese dips or enjoy his recipe below for queso made with jalapeno havarti.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded Castello Jalapeño Havarti
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup pico de gallo (tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro) or chunky salsa (drain any juice) 
• Jalapeños, chopped
• Approx 1 tsp onion flakes, garlic powder, ground cumin
• Season with salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour and incorporate until lightly golden in colour. (stir in garlic, onion and cumin, to incorporate the spices) 
2. Gradually whisk in milk, bring to boil, then reduce heat until thick. Add the Jalapeño Havarti gradually until incorporated
3. Remove from heat and stir in the pico de gallo. Let come to room temperature, garnish with chopped jalapeños and serve with taco chips. Enjoy!

French Toast Affair

From brunch to lunch, Steven has reimagined a decadent sweet and savoury twist on French Toast that stuffs seasonal strawberries and poached pears with melted cheese inside, instead of on top, for a Steven-styled makeover plated to stunning perfection.  

Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced Castello Creamy Havarti
• 2 pears, peeled and thinly sliced
• 8 slices of French or Brioche-style bread
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2-4 tablespoons butter
• Icing sugar, maple syrup 
• Sliced strawberries, optional

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, sauté the pears in butter and cinnamon until tender (5-8 minutes)
2. Whisk together eggs and milk and place in a shallow bowl
3. Build a sandwich with the cooked pears and a generous amount of Creamy Havarti. Option to add in sliced strawberries.
4. Dredge the sandwiches in the egg / milk mixture and place on a buttered skillet on medium heat, and cook each side until golden brown and crispy
5. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup