Tackle Your Appetite with Cougar Gold Game Day Snacks
Discover the magic of Cougar Gold cheese with this trio of show-stopping recipes! Known for its rich, bold flavor and iconic tin, this one-of-a-kind cheese shines in savory stuffed mushrooms, gooey Cougar Gold couglette, and classic chili con queso. Elevate your game day spread with the unique taste that only Cougar Gold can deliver!
Golden Stuffed Mushrooms
Makes 24 stuffed mushrooms
Ingredients:
- 2 dozen (approx. 1 lb) whole mushrooms
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 lb. chopped bacon
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 Tbsp dry sherry
- 1/2 cup grated Cougar Gold cheese
- 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan, divided
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Wash, trim and dry mushrooms. Remove stems from caps; chop stems fine.
- Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Toss mushroom caps in melted butter.
- Arrange buttery mushroom caps (removed) stem side up in a 13x9" baking dish.
- Fry bacon and drain the fat, reserving 2 Tablespoons bacon drippings in the pan.
- Add onion, chopped mushroom stems and sherry to the pan. Cook until liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Stir in Cougar Gold and 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
- Stuff cheese mixture into mushroom caps. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
- Bake 10 minutes until cheese is bubble and mushrooms are tender.
Tip: Mushrooms can be stuffed and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. If chilled, extend cooking time to 20 minutes.
Chili con Queso Dip
Makes 3.25 cups dip
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cans (4 oz each) green chilies, chopped and drained
- 2 large cloves garlic, mashed
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 lb Cougar Gold Cheese
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup tomato juice
- tortilla chips (for serving)
Instructions:
- Saute onion, green chilies and garlic in oil until onion is tender. Reduce heat to low, add remaining ingredients except tomato juice. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted.
- Add tomato juice gradually until dip is the desired consistency. Place over hot water to keep warm.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Couglette
Serves 6-8
Couglette is the WSU Creamery spin on Raclette: a Swiss wintertime snack that's perfect for any gathering of friends or family. In Switzerland, Raclette is made with Raclette cheese, potatoes and a Raclette machine. Raclette cheese is melted on the Raclette machine, scraped off, and placed on top of the cooked potatoes. The purpose of the Raclette (or Couglette) experience is to foster companionship – similar to a fondue party. Fortunately, you can whip up Couglette without all of the fancy cookware--just a griddle or frying pan. We adapted this recipe from the WSU Creamery:
Ingredients:
- 1 can Cougar Gold cheese
- 1.5 lbs mixed medly potatoes
- Cocktail onions and/or gherkins
- Paprika and black pepper
- Vegetables of choice: we recommend Sliced peppers, mushrooms, or onions… use your imagination!
- optional: Thick sliced ham or Canadian bacon
Instructions:
- Boil unpeeled potatoes until cooked.
- Arrange a platter of vegetables and meats.
- When potatoes are done, drain the water and place them in a covered dish or pot to stay warm. Smash them down ever so slightly.
- Place thick slices of Cougar Gold cheese on your griddle or pan and melt it at low heat.
- Once the cheese has turned gooey, scrape it from the pan with a spatula and pour over the potatos.
- Season with paprika and black pepper and serve with ham, veggies, gherkins, cocktail onions.