Meatime Magic: Spicy Tater Tot Breakfast Muffins and Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sticky Buns

I recently had a chance to try out some delicious products courtesy of Jarlsberg®. 

Jarlsberg® Cheese Snacks have a mild, mellow and nutty flavor. These individually wrapped snacks are a convenient way to take your cheese with you. At 3/4 oz. each, they're just big enough to take the edge off of hunger.

Jarlsberg® Cheese Lite, has the same mild, nutty flavor as regular Jarlsberg® Cheese with 50% less fat and 30% fewer calories, than regular Swiss cheese. This low-fat variety of Jarlsberg® Cheese original has the characteristic large round holes, with a lower fat content. I loved this on crackers.

Jarlsberg® Hickory Smoked Cheese has a lovely smoky taste. It's cold smoked over smoldering, hickory chip embers. It adds a nice richness to sandwiches, and made a delicious grilled cheese.

Tine SkiQueen® Brunost is a slightly firm but flexible semi-hard cheese which can be cut with a cheese slicer. It is traditionally cut into wafer thin slices with a cheese slicer and eaten on toast or crispbread. It can also be used in cooking and adds a great flavor to sauces or a sweet fondue. This was a great way to bring back the memories of last summer's trip to Norway and was a great treat!

Here are a few recipes that really make Jarlsberg® cheese shine.

 Spicy Tater Tot Breakfast Muffinsby George Duran

Ingredients:

36 frozen tater tots
2 cups Jarlsberg® cheese, grated and separated
8 Large eggs
2 Jalapeño peppers, seeds and veins removed and chopped finely
½ red pepper, chopped finely
2 tbsp. heavy cream
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
Finely chopped parsley, for garnish

Non-stick spray
12 cup muffin tin pan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425° F and spray 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick spray.

Place 3 tater tots into each muffin tin and bake for 10 minutes. Remove carefully and use a small spoon or fork to gently press down to form the base and sides of each tater tot muffin.

Divide 1 cup of Jarlsberg® cheese throughout the tater tots and place back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

In the meantime beat the eggs in a large bowl and combine the jalapeño, red peppers, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Once the tater tot muffins are done, carefully divide egg mixture into each tater tot cup. Top evenly with remaining cup of grated Jarlsberg® and place back into the oven for 10 minutes.

Remove each muffin and allow to cool for 5 minutes on a cooling rack before garnishing with parsley and serving.

Makes 1 dozen muffins.

*Note: This recipe can be made non-spicy by replacing the jalapeño with the same amount of green bell peppers.

Brown Sugar Ham and Cheese Sticky Bunsby George Duran

 

Ingredients:

2 8-oz. refrigerated crescent roll dough
Flour, for dusting
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
12 slices thin-cut ham
12 slices Jarlsberg cheese
½ C. grated Jarlsberg cheese
Chives or green onions, for garnish

Non-stick spray

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 F and spray non-stick spray in an 8 X 8 pan or similar.

Unroll dough on a floured surface and gently stretch out until dough is about 8” x 12”. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. of brown sugar throughout the dough, then evenly line up six slices of ham and six slices of cheese on top. Starting on the short side, begin rolling dough jelly roll style. Cut into six even pieces.

Repeat with next piece of dough and place all 12 buns inside pan. Sprinkle grated Jarlsberg on top and place in oven and cook for 20-25 minutes until bun is full cooked. Garnish with chives or green onions and serve.

Makes 1 dozen sticky buns.

About Jarlsberg^® Cheese:

In 1956, we created Jarlsberg® Cheese, using an original Norwegian recipe. Why does Jarlsberg® cheese taste so mild, nutty and delicious? It's all part of the legend...and Norway's most guarded recipe! Jarlsberg® Cheese is endorsed by the Good Housekeeping Nutritionist Approved Emblem. All Jarlsberg Cheese varieties are naturally lactose and gluten free.

For a complete product list and recipes, go to www.jarlsberg.com