Alexandrina Fresh Cheddar Curd and Pumpkin Nests 

Alexandrina Lunchbox Series

These Fresh Cheddar Curd and Pumpkin Nests are delicious as a lunchbox treat, for a picnic or for a weekend lunch. In the autumn, when they are served warm, they are gooey and delicious, but the secret is that there are five award winning Alexandrina Cheeses in the mixture. A quick and reliable addition to any lunchbox this season.

ALEXANDRINA FRESH CHEDDAR CURD AND PUMPKIN NESTS 

Makes 12 nests

ground work - 20 minutes preparation time • 20 minutes cooking time

elements

2/3 cup Alexandrina Fresh Cheddar Curd, chopped
2/3 cup Alexandrina Gourmet Shred (or grated Alexandrina Cheddar)
2/3 cup Alexandrina Full Cream Jersey Milk

4 eggs

12 slices of fresh bread, crusts removed*we love to use wholemeal

2/3 cup grated pumpkin
1 tablespoon dried basil * or if in season used fresh basil
oil spray

Optional 2 spring onions, coarsely chopped

technique

preheat the oven to 180 degree centigrade

use oil spray to grease a 12 hole muffin tray

push the slices of bread into the muffin tray, sometimes they need to be pushed down a couple of times to squish them into place

in a medium sized bowl, crack four eggs, and then add the other ingredients, including the Alexandrina Fresh Cheddar Curd, Alexandrina Gourmet Shred, Alexandrina Full Cream Jersey Milk, 2/3 cup grated pumpkin and 1 tablespoon dried basil

decant equal parts of the egg mixture into the bread nests, and put the tray into the oven for 20 minutes.

Alexandrina's Fresh Cheddar Curd is simply a fresh, unmatured curd of the Cheddar cheese. This cheese is made in an open-vat using a traditional Cheddaring method, whereby the Cheddar Curd is stretched, milled and salted before being pressed in a special hoop. Alexandrina’s Cheddar Curd has a pleasant mild, salty and savoury flavour, with a unique squeaky texture. Not only is Cheddar a cheese name, the term “cheddaring” describes the stretching step in production, where the large slabs of fresh curd are cut and stacked, and regularly hand-turned, to ensure maximum extraction of whey and even-development of acidity. Alexandrina Cheese are among only a handful of Cheddar producers in Australia today who include this important Cheddaring process. SERVE THIS CHEESE | on a platter with any locally sourced accompaniment, or fry on a low-heat as you would fry a halloumi-style cheese. You can also use Alexandrina's Fresh Cheddar Curd to make Poutine, a Canadian dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. 33.8 % minimum fat | available in 250g or 500g bag. 

Alexandrina’s Gourmet Shred is blended by our cheesemaker, it consists of four shredded cheeses including Edam, Gouda, Cheddar and Romano. Gourmet Shred has a tangy and medium bodied profile, but also a mellow sweetness. Gourmet Shred is conveniently used for melting, mixing or grilling, but can be used as a topping. When heated it has an elastic and stretchy texture, it has strong savoury flavour, and gives a beautiful aroma to your meal. 

33.8 % minimum fat | available in 500g & 1kg bags.

LOOKING FOR THE ALEXANDRINA RANGE? |   Alexandrina Cheese work with an incredible network of retailers and one or two key partners across the country. This list is just the beginning of where you can find Alexandrina Cheese products near you.  We recommend giving retailers a call to check for which Alexandrina Cheese products they have in stock. Here is the link ---> Stockist List

LOOKING FOR PUMPKIN? |  Pat D’Onofrio is a Farmers’ Market legend. Every Sunday you will find Pat spruiking at the huge Patlin Gardens stand, piled high with pumpkins and other fresh seasonal vegetables. Click here to follow --> 

Remember "Only the knife knows what goes on in the heart of a pumpkin."

FOODIE FACT | The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommends at least 2.5 serves a day of milk, cheese, yoghurt and/or alternatives for most adults aged 19-50. A serve from the dairy food group is a cup (250ml) of milk, three-quarters of a cup (200g) yoghurt, two slices (40g) of cheese, half a cup (120g) of ricotta cheese or appropriate alternatives. For more information on the benefits of Australian Made Dairy Foods  

*above quoted from https://www.dairy.com.au/health/recommended-dairy-intake/adults

TOP TIP | We were given the idea for this recipe many moons ago at a demonstration at the Adelaide Farmers Market by Chef Grant Schooling, however he suggested using mushrooms. You could substitute the grated pumpkin for practically any grated vegetable.

TOP TIP |  These nests can be eaten cool or warm, they will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Always choose Alexandrina Cheese 

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