National Cheese Day Favorite: Baked Fontina Cheese Dip Recipe

Is there any food that is more versatile, beloved, and delicious than a humble block of cheese? Few other foods have managed to ascend to greatness in quite the same way. It makes sense that this dairy dynamo would be deemed worthy of its own holiday!

National Cheese Day is on June 4th every year, and we prefer to celebrate by using delicious, fresh Ammerländer cheese in as many unique ways as possible! For this year's festivities, we'll be honoring our creamy, fresh, made-to-order Fontina cheese. 

How will you be embracing Ammerländer's rich and tangy full-flavored Fontina this National Cheese Day? 

Not sure yet? Don't worry! We've already picked out a whole collection of sumptuous Fontina cheese recipes for our celebration, and we'd like to share one with you! 

Continue reading to learn more about National Cheese Day, and stick around until the end for our incredible baked Fontina cheese dip recipe! 

All About National Cheese Day 

When is National Cheese Day? This national holiday has fallen on June 4th for over a century! It began in 1914 in Monroe, Wisconsin, one of the cheese capitols of the United States. 

Wisconsin is home to the biggest formal celebration in the country, but more intimate observances happen all over America. If you can, try to make the pilgrimage to Monroe to see how the Wisconsinites celebrate! The weekend-long celebration includes live music, carnivals, restaurant specials, and lots and lots of cheese!

For most of us, National Cheese Day is about learning more about one of the world's most popular dairy products. That's why we've chosen to focus on Fontina this year. Exploring a single variety of imported cheese can help expand the palate and open up new culinary possibilities.

What Makes Ammerländer Fontina Unique? 

We're sure we can anticipate your first question: what is Fontina cheese? 

Fontina is a semi-hard, smooth cow's milk cheese with a dense interior. It absorbs moisture as it ages, lending the delicious cheese its unique sweet and savory flavor profile. Fans have described it as mild, nutty, buttery, and tangy. 

The fresher and younger your Fontina, the better it will melt. Young Fontina is ideal for creamy, melty recipes such as dips and cheese sauces. Meanwhile, harder, aged Fontina is perfect for grating over nearly any dish. 

Ammerländer's premium imported Fontina is the freshest cheese you can find. It's unique because every block is made to order every time. Whether you're serving this creamy cheese hot or cold, you can taste the difference.  

Ammerländer Fontina holds its own on any charcuterie board and makes sandwiches sing. This year, we're spotlighting the tangy taste of this imported cheese by making it the star of a creamy, hot cheese dip, perfect for a National Cheese Day gathering!  

Our Baked Fontina Cheese Dip Recipe

You can search for a long time, but you're unlikely to find a fresher Fontina than Ammerländer's. This young, semi-soft cheese melts like a dream. That makes it the perfect base for a hot, melty cheese dip that you can serve on crackers, crostini, chips, or even vegetables! 

This is a baked recipe and best served immediately. While the cheese will begin to solidify as it cools, it won't lose any of its unique, aromatic quality. In our experience, this delicious appetizer tends to vanish long before it can cool down! 

Gather Your Ingredients

To prepare our baked Fontina cheese dip, you'll need to gather the following ingredients. As is traditionally the case, higher-quality ingredients yield a more impressive final product! We suggest using fresh herbs, if possible. 

You will need:

• 1 1/2 lbs of Ammerländer Fontina, cubed
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• A clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper 

Our favorite way to serve the dip is on a fresh crostini or baguette slice. Don't forget items for dipping when you gather your ingredients! 

Preparing the Dish

Step One: Cube your Fontina cheese. Place each cube in the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish or oven-safe skillet. It will be your serving container, so choose with that in mind. 

Step Two: Mince your garlic and thyme. Add them to a small bowl along with the olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine, then pour it evenly over the cheese.  

Step Three: Ensure that your oven rack is about five inches above your broiler element. Turn on the broiler. 

Step Four: Place the prepared dish in the oven and broil it for five to six minutes. Watch it carefully to prevent burning. When it is bubbly and beginning to brown, you can remove it from the oven. 

Step Five: Serve your dip while it's hot! Present it with whatever accompaniments you'd prefer. It tastes best on a thin slice of fresh, crusty bread. We also love it on carrots, fresh broccoli, apple slices, crackers, and kettle chips. 

Serving Suggestions

The aromatic and nutty taste of your Fontina cheese will shine through, even with the added herbs and garlic. We suggest serving it with one of the following wines:

• Cabernet sauvignon
• Montepulciano
• Chianti
• Riesling
• Chardonnay
• Vouvray

Offer a variety of accompaniments at your National Cheese Day celebration! Your guests will appreciate the opportunity to taste delicious, fresh Ammerländer Fontina in its creamiest, meltiest form. It's also a simple sample to whip up for customers who may be considering preparing an ode to Fontina this June 4th! 

Celebrate National Cheese Day With Ammerländer Fontina

While cheese-inspired holidays happen all year long, there is only one day when we get to celebrate fresh, delicious, high-quality cheese in all its forms! We hope you'll join us in embracing fabulous Fontina on National Cheese Day this year. You can't go wrong with the freshest, creamiest Fontina from our experienced, quality-obsessed cheese importers. 

Once you've tasted this transformative cheese dip, you'll want your customers to try it, too! Ambassador Foods can help bring you the freshest imported cheeses available. Reach out today, and we'll be happy to help!