Description
Ina Garten’s baked fontina elevates simple cheese into a luxurious Italian-inspired appetizer with irresistible herbs and garlic. Melted to golden perfection, this cheesy delight invites friends to gather and savor each rich, aromatic spoonful straight from the skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) italian fontina val d’aosta cheese, rind removed and 1-inch-diced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) minced fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) freshly ground black pepper
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Accompaniment:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) good olive oil
- 1 crusty french baguette
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack approximately 5 inches beneath the broiler element and activate the broiler to its highest temperature setting, ensuring even heat distribution.
- Select a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and carefully distribute fontina cheese cubes across its surface, creating an even layer that will melt uniformly.
- Prepare a fragrant herb mixture by finely chopping fresh garlic cloves, delicate thyme leaves, and aromatic rosemary sprigs in a small preparation bowl.
- Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil (about or 30 milliliters) over the cheese cubes, ensuring complete coverage and enhanced flavor infusion.
- Sprinkle the prepared herb mixture evenly across the cheese surface, followed by a precise seasoning of kosher salt (or 2.5 grams) and freshly ground black pepper (or 1 gram) to elevate the dish’s taste profile.
- Carefully position the cast-iron skillet under the broiler, allowing the cheese to transform for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbly texture that indicates perfect melting.
- Remove the skillet immediately using heat-resistant gloves, presenting the molten fontina directly at the table alongside crusty French baguette slices cut into rustic chunks for an interactive and indulgent appetizer experience.
Notes
- Carefully select authentic Italian Fontina Val d’Aosta for the most luxurious melting experience.
- Completely remove the cheese rind to ensure smooth, even melting without unwanted texture.
- Finely chop fresh thyme and rosemary to elevate the herb-infused flavor profile.
- Monitor the cheese closely under the broiler, removing it at the precise moment it becomes bubbly and golden brown.
- Prepare all accompaniments beforehand to serve the melted cheese immediately while it’s piping hot and perfectly creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 547 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 339 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg