I actually had an entirely different post planned for today and was going to forgo writing within our sandwich-themed week. But just yesterday, I took a long car ride, for which I threw together a quick cheese sandwich using the only cheese in my sister's refrigerator. And just like that, whoa. A cheese column was born.
Havarti.
Yep, Havarti. It's a cheese I've probably never even purchased. I've eaten it only by chance and never, truly, by choice. It's a table cheese at best, perhaps more celebrated for its cube-ability on a dinky buffet than for its ability to wow on a refined cheese board, but I think this cheese may rival any other as the best cheese for a sandwich.
Sliced thinly and placed on bread, havarti has more of a condiment-like quality, more akin to mayonnaise or even butter than cheese. My sandwich was as simple as could be: mustard, havarti, and some frisee, in between two pieces of a really soft multigrain loaf. The cheese had this almost melty quality, the way that it sunk into those fluffy slices of bread. It's nearly sticky, it's so fatty. I found myself remarking after each bite just how this grocery store commodity cheese was entirely responsible for the deliciousness of my simple sandwich.
Havarti is rich. It tastes like softened, salted butter. Really, it does. My grandmother used to butter her bread for sandwiches, which I always loved. It's the butter devotee in me. I don't think I've buttered a sandwich since I sat in her kitchen during summers of my childhood, though. But now, this havarti-on-a-sandwich move of mine is a sure way to cull up some nostalgia.
If it's a plain cheese sandwich you're after, with only a condiment or two and perhaps a slice of tomato or some lettuce, I think havarti may be exactly right. Paired with another, more toothsome cheese might be nice, too, to offer a textural contrast. If placed directly on the bread itself, you'll get this buttered-bread effect to your sandwich.
My havarti sandwich moment made me think of two other applications for havarti, mainly due to its similarity to butter: on white bread with thinly sliced cucumber and fresh dill, to mimic a tea sandwich, and grated into scrambled eggs, because eggs plus butter equals heaven.
As for what I had planned to cover this week, you'll just have to check back next Wednesday.
Nora Singley used to be a cheesemonger and the Director of Education at Murray's Cheese Shop. Until recently she was a TV Chef on The Martha Stewart Show. She is currently a freelance food stylist and private chef in New York City.
Related: Recipe: Havarti, Parsley and Garlic Cheese Ball
(Image: CGissemann/Shutterstock)
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Grate havarti, mix with finely chopped chive or scallion, a sprinkle of caraway seeds, a little salt & pepper, and enough mayo to stick it all together. Spread on dark break, add some crunchy lettuce and/or thin slices of cucumber. Eat.
Havarti is like the gateway cheese. It's how I got my husband to try new cheeses. He had never had it, even though it's in every supermarket around. I love it's buttery taste which seems to go well with any kind of sandwich.
Yum. Since I don't like mayo or mustard, Havarti is a perfect cheese for adding something to a sandwich! I don't have to worry about eating something super dry...and on top of that, it's super delicious.
If you want good Havarti for a sandwich, try the dill Havarti or the horseradish Havarti. You're right, Havarti isn't an impressive cheese for eating out of hand, but it really plays well with others.
Havarti is one of my favorite sandwich cheeses as well. It makes a wonderfully decadent grilled cheese sandwich.
Oh yeah, dill Havarti is fantastic. Thanks for the reminder, rmrez!
it's great on top of an open face mustard/turkey sandwich, let it sit in the toaster oven just a little and it melts all over then add a green (spinach or lettuce) on top and it will wilt perfectly.
Totally agreed. Like sun-dried tomatoes, it seems Havarti is a victim of its overwhelming success in the 80s. Thanks for helping to bring it back!
My daughter went through a phase around age 4 when all she would eat was Havarti cheese.
We discovered that the ultimate meal made with Havarti is actually a quesadilla! You seriously have to try this!
We had a big family dinner growing up every Sunday night and called it Faspa... although we didnt grow up traditionally Mennonite, our roots go back to the Mennonite culture and we carried on allot of the Mennonite traditions, especially when it came to the food. Traditionally Sunday was a day of rest so Mennonite families in farming communities would gather for Faspa in the afternoon for a time of food and fellowship. The meals were made up of foods that were quick to prepare such as cold cut sandwiches, vegetables and fruit. My family always had homemade buns, homemade jams or fruit preserves and one of the cheeses that was ALWAYS on the table was havarti! I LOVE the combo of a fresh, homemade bun, strawberry freezer jam and slices of creamy havarti cheese. Sounds like a strange combo but its oh so good.
Oh totally, I can't believe this is even a surprise to anyone! Havarti has long been one of my favorites, definitely a great sandwich cheese. When I was a teenager I used to make what I called "exploding sandwich" (because it was so messy to eat) with Havarti, avocado, tomato, and Hellman's Dijonnaise...
Oh yes... A havarti and avocado melt is SO YUM, especially with a little Dijon and mayo! Mmmm
Havarti is great on a salmon burger with some grainy dijon and aioli
Ha ha, too true that Havarti is almost a condiment. My family is Danish and Havarti was the rock star cheese in our house when I was growing up, and it still is. Some crusty dark multigrain bread toasted with good butter and Havarti (oh yes, both butter and Havarti) makes an amazing breakfast or light lunch.
Dill havarti is one of my favorites!
Havarti is a wonderful cheese that is always in our fridge, because it's my 11 year old daughter's favourite! It is definitely the "go to" cheese for most of the sandwiches made by all the members of our household. Thanks for putting it into the spotlight and giving havarti the praise it deserves.
Havarti (dill or plain) + julienned carrots + mayo = best sandwich ever
My favorite sandwich cheese is edam.
When I was little my mom would slice havarti, dill or reg. as a late night snack and I loved the times I would join her in the little indulgence! It's still my favorite cheese!
Applegate makes the most heavenly Havarti I've ever tasted!!
Jalapeño havarti!
tonight's dinner (and last night's) was grilled havarti, kale, and tomato sammich on sourdough bread. just a little butter on the outside and toss it on the foreman grill. outstanding.