What to Do with Fontina

Fontina is an Italian table cheese. This creamy to light yellow cheese has a mellow flavor and scattered eyes. Although many versions are sold in the United States under the same name, Fontina, from the Aosta Valley in northern Italy, can be recognized by its light brown, mottled crust. Domestic or Imported, this firm cheese is a delicate appetizer or dessert cheese and also has excellent melting properties.

These qualities make it the perfect cheese for adding to any food. If you love the taste of this delicious cheese, try mixing it with some chicken for a delicious, easy meal that is simple enough for everyday cooking or for serving at any dinner party. When chicken is used in this recipe, it makes for a dish with less fat and fewer calories. Try the following recipe and you will be delightfully surprised at the flavor mixtures that it has to offer.

Fontina Cheese With Smoked Chicken

Ingredients

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup vodka (optional)
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes with juice
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup heavy cream
1 pound rigatoni
10 ounces baby spinach
12 ounces cooked smoked chicken, ¼ inch thick cubes
6 ounces fontina cheese; 4 ounces cut into ½ - inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat the oil to medium high heat in a large pan. Next, add the onions and cook them until translucent, about 3 minutes. Next, you need to add the garlic to the pan. Next, take the pan off of the heat. If you want the flavor of the vodka, add it now and return the mixture to the heat. Now let it cook until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 1 minute.

Add the oregano and the tomatoes to the pan and cook them until the tomatoes are tender and they are falling apart. Next add the cream and cook until it is warmed through, about 5 minutes. .

Have your oven preheated 400 degrees. You should then cook your pasta in the pan of boiling water until it is al dente and then add the spinach. Cook this until the spinach is just slightly wilted. Drain the pasta and spinach and add it back to the pot.

Add the remaining ingredients to the mixture and toss lightly to coat everything evenly. Now divide this mixture evenly into two 1 ½ quart baking dishes.

Sprinkle the top with the grated fontina and the parmesan cheese and bake in a 400 degree oven until it is a golden brown.

This is a delicious dish to make that you will love serving to your friends and family.