Discover these 5 essential recipes based on Beaufort that you absolutely must know and try. This famous French cheese, originally from Savoie, is a key ingredient to enhance your dishes and surprise your guests.
1. Polenta cream with porcini mushrooms and Beaufort
The polenta cream with porcini mushrooms and Beaufort is an original recipe that highlights all the flavors of Beaufort cheese. To make this delicious starter:
Ingredients for the polenta:
- 250 g of polenta (instant preferred for quick cooking)
- 750 ml of water or vegetable broth (for cooking the polenta)
- 100 g of Beaufort, grated
- 100 ml of liquid cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the porcini mushrooms:
- 300 g of fresh cep mushrooms (or rehydrated if you are using dried ceps)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
Bring the water or broth to a boil in a large pot. Pour the polenta in slowly while stirring with a whisk to avoid lumps. Cook according to the packet instructions, usually 5 to 10 minutes for instant polenta. Once the polenta is cooked and thick, stir in the liquid cream and grated Beaufort. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Keep the polenta warm on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
Subsequently, clean the porcini mushrooms by gently brushing them to remove the dirt. Cut the larger ones into equal-sized pieces. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the porcini and thyme, and sauté them until they are golden and tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
Tip
Do not hesitate to add a few thin slices of raw Savoie ham to give even more flavor to your dish.
2. Beaufort and potato puff pastry tart
A Beaufort and potato puff pastry tart is a comforting and gourmet dish. Here is how to make this recipe:
Ingredients for 4 to 6 people:
- 1 puff pastry (preferably pure butter)
- 500 g of potatoes
- 200 g of Beaufort, sliced or grated
- 3 eggs
- 200 ml of fresh liquid cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated nutmeg (optional, to add a flavor touch)
Preparation
Roll out a puff pastry in a pie dish, then prick the bottom with a fork. Cook the potatoes cut into cubes in water or steam until they are tender. Cut slices of Beaufort and arrange them on the pie base. Then add the drained and cooked potatoes. Beat some eggs with liquid fresh cream, season to your taste and pour this preparation over the potatoes and cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes at 180°C.
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Variant
You can add bacon bits or sliced onions previously sautéed in a pan to enhance your tart.
3. Beaufort Zucchini Gratin
To make this tasty gratin, follow these instructions:
Ingredients for 4 people:
- 4 medium-sized zucchinis
- 200 g of Beaufort, grated
- 200 ml of thick fresh cream
- Grated nutmeg, to taste
- Breadcrumbs, about 50g
- Butter, for buttering the dish and adding in hazelnut-sized pieces on the gratin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Preparation
Slice the zucchinis into rounds and pre-cook them in steam for 5 minutes. In a bowl, mix thick fresh cream, grated Beaufort cheese, and a hint of grated nutmeg. Gently incorporate the zucchinis into this mixture. Pour this mixture into a buttered gratin dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and add a few pats of butter on top. Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.
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Accompaniment
Serve your zucchini gratin with Beaufort cheese with a grilled meat or fish, like salmon, to create a complete and balanced meal.
4. Mushroom and Beaufort Risotto
This risotto is creamy and delicious and perfect for impressing your guests at a dinner. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients for 4 people:
- 300 g of arborio rice (specific for risotto)
- 1 liter of vegetable broth, kept warm
- 200 g of Beaufort, finely grated
- 300 g of mushrooms of your choice (such as button mushrooms, porcini, or a mix)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Preparation
Sauté sliced onions in a little olive oil, then add your Arborio rice. Once lightly golden, gradually pour hot vegetable broth, stirring regularly. Incorporate mushrooms that have been previously cut and cooked in the pan while the rice is cooking. When the rice is well cooked and creamy, remove it from the heat and generously add in finely grated Beaufort cheese. Stir well and serve immediately.
Tip
For even more flavor, use wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles or porcini, in your risotto.
Beaufort Soufflé
The soufflé with Beaufort is an absolutely delicious French classic. To prepare your soufflé, follow these instructions:
Ingredients for 4 people:
- 50 g of butter
- 50 g of flour
- 500 ml of cold milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 150 g of grated Beaufort
- 4 egg whites
- A pinch of salt
- Butter for buttering the ramekins
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Melt some butter in a pan, then add some flour to create a roux. Slowly pour in cold milk while constantly stirring. Allow to thicken and remove from heat. Incorporate the egg yolks, grated Beaufort cheese and season to your taste. Beat the egg whites until stiff with a pinch of salt and gently fold them into your preparation. Transfer the mixture into buttered ramekins. Bake for about 20 minutes without opening the oven door to ensure the soufflés rise well.
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Suggestion
Enjoy your Beaufort soufflé with a lovely green salad to accompany this refined dish.
In summary, Beaufort is a multifaceted cheese that will allow you to create tasty and original dishes. Do not hesitate to experiment with these recipes to surprise and delight your loved ones.