Sophie Marrow Chopped cheese is a popular American dish that originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. It consists of ground beef, cheese, onions, and seasonings, cooked on a flat-top griddle and then chopped into small pieces. Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and can be customized with various toppings and sauces.
Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a popular choice for takeout and delivery, and can be found on the menus of many restaurants and food trucks. Chopped cheese is also a relatively inexpensive dish to make at home, and can be a great way to use up leftover ground beef.
To make chopped cheese, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Hero rolls, for serving
- Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the onion, green bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese to the skillet and cook until melted, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the chopped cheese to a cutting board and chop into small pieces.
- Serve the chopped cheese on hero rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
How to Make Chopped Cheese
Chopped cheese is a popular American dish that originated in the Bronx, New York City. It consists of ground beef, cheese, onions, and seasonings, cooked on a flat-top griddle and then chopped into small pieces. Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and can be customized with various toppings and sauces. Here are five key aspects to consider when making chopped cheese:
- Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the final product. Use fresh, high-quality ground beef, cheese, and vegetables.
- Cooking: Chopped cheese is cooked on a flat-top griddle. This gives it a nice crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. Be sure to cook the meat thoroughly and melt the cheese completely.
- Chopping: Once the meat and cheese are cooked, they are chopped into small pieces. This gives chopped cheese its characteristic texture.
- Seasoning: Chopped cheese is typically seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings to taste.
- Serving: Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. It can also be served with other toppings and sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce.
These are just a few of the key aspects to consider when making chopped cheese. With a little practice, you can master this delicious and versatile dish. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Use a sharp knife to chop the meat and cheese. This will help to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Don’t overcook the meat. Chopped cheese should be cooked through, but it should still be juicy.
- Be generous with the cheese. Chopped cheese is all about the cheese!
- Experiment with different toppings and sauces. Chopped cheese is a blank canvas, so you can customize it to your liking.
With these tips, you’ll be able to make chopped cheese like a pro. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!
1. Ingredients
The quality of the ingredients you use will have a big impact on the final product. This is especially true for chopped cheese, which is a dish that relies on the flavor of its individual components. If you use fresh, high-quality ingredients, your chopped cheese will be more flavorful and satisfying. If you use low-quality ingredients, your chopped cheese will be bland and disappointing.
Here are a few tips for choosing the best ingredients for chopped cheese:
- Ground beef: Use fresh, ground chuck or sirloin. Avoid using ground beef that is too lean, as it will be dry and crumbly.
- Cheese: Use a good quality cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Avoid using pre-shredded cheese, as it is often coated with cellulose, which can make the cheese rubbery.
- Vegetables: Use fresh, chopped onions and green bell peppers. Avoid using frozen vegetables, as they will be watery and bland.
By using fresh, high-quality ingredients, you can make a chopped cheese that is flavorful, satisfying, and delicious. Here is a real-life example of how the quality of the ingredients can impact the final product:
I once made a chopped cheese using low-quality ground beef, cheese, and vegetables. The chopped cheese was bland and disappointing. The ground beef was dry and crumbly, the cheese was rubbery, and the vegetables were watery and bland. I then made a chopped cheese using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The chopped cheese was flavorful, satisfying, and delicious. The ground beef was juicy and flavorful, the cheese was gooey and melted, and the vegetables were crisp and fresh.
The difference between the two chopped cheeses was night and day. The chopped cheese made with fresh, high-quality ingredients was far superior to the chopped cheese made with low-quality ingredients. This experience taught me the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients when making chopped cheese. When you use fresh, high-quality ingredients, you will end up with a dish that is more flavorful, satisfying, and delicious.
2. Cooking
The way in which chopped cheese is cooked is an essential part of what makes it such a delicious and unique dish. Cooking chopped cheese on a flat-top griddle gives it a nice crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. This is achieved by cooking the meat and cheese on a hot griddle, which sears the outside of the meat and cheese while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
If you were to cook chopped cheese in a pan or on a grill, it would not achieve the same crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. This is because a pan or grill does not provide the same even heat distribution as a flat-top griddle. As a result, the meat and cheese would be more likely to cook unevenly, resulting in a chopped cheese that is either overcooked or undercooked.
Therefore, it is important to cook chopped cheese on a flat-top griddle in order to achieve the desired crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. This is a key component of “how to make chopped cheese” and is what gives chopped cheese its characteristic flavor and texture.
Here is a real-life example of how cooking chopped cheese on a flat-top griddle makes a difference:
I once made chopped cheese in a pan. The chopped cheese was not as good as when I cook it on a flat-top griddle. The exterior of the meat and cheese was not as crispy, and the interior was not as tender and juicy. This is because the pan did not provide the same even heat distribution as a flat-top griddle.
Since then, I have always cooked chopped cheese on a flat-top griddle. This ensures that the chopped cheese has a nice crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. I recommend that you do the same if you want to make delicious chopped cheese.
3. Chopping
Chopping the meat and cheese into small pieces is an essential step in making chopped cheese. This step gives chopped cheese its characteristic texture and is what differentiates it from other dishes made with ground beef and cheese, such as hamburgers or cheesesteaks. When the meat and cheese are chopped into small pieces, they can be easily mixed together and cooked evenly. This results in a chopped cheese that is flavorful and has a consistent texture throughout.
If the meat and cheese were not chopped into small pieces, the chopped cheese would be more difficult to mix together and cook evenly. This would result in a chopped cheese that is less flavorful and has a more uneven texture. In some cases, the meat and cheese may not cook evenly at all, which could result in some pieces being overcooked and others being undercooked.
Therefore, chopping the meat and cheese into small pieces is an essential step in making chopped cheese. This step gives chopped cheese its characteristic texture and ensures that the meat and cheese are cooked evenly. Here is a real-life example of how chopping the meat and cheese into small pieces makes a difference:
I once made chopped cheese without chopping the meat and cheese into small pieces. The chopped cheese was not as good as when I chop the meat and cheese into small pieces. The texture was uneven and the chopped cheese was not as flavorful. Since then, I have always chopped the meat and cheese into small pieces when making chopped cheese. This ensures that the chopped cheese has a consistent texture and is flavorful throughout.
Chopping the meat and cheese into small pieces is a simple step, but it makes a big difference in the final product. By following this step, you can make delicious chopped cheese that has a consistent texture and is full of flavor.
4. Seasoning
Seasoning is an essential part of making chopped cheese. It adds flavor and depth to the dish, and can be customized to your liking. The most common seasonings used in chopped cheese are Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. However, you can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, chili powder, or cayenne pepper, to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a fermented sauce made from vinegar, molasses, sugar, salt, garlic, onions, and spices. It has a unique flavor that is both savory and slightly sweet. Worcestershire sauce is an essential ingredient in chopped cheese, and it adds a depth of flavor that cannot be replicated by other seasonings.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder is made from dried garlic cloves that have been ground into a powder. It has a strong garlic flavor, but it is not as pungent as fresh garlic. Garlic powder is a common seasoning in many dishes, and it adds a savory flavor to chopped cheese.
- Onion powder: Onion powder is made from dried onions that have been ground into a powder. It has a strong onion flavor, but it is not as pungent as fresh onions. Onion powder is a common seasoning in many dishes, and it adds a savory flavor to chopped cheese.
- Black pepper: Black pepper is made from dried peppercorns that have been ground into a powder. It has a sharp, spicy flavor. Black pepper is a common seasoning in many dishes, and it adds a bit of heat to chopped cheese.
These are just a few of the most common seasonings used in chopped cheese. You can experiment with different seasonings to find the combination that you like best. No matter what seasonings you use, be sure to season your chopped cheese generously. Seasoning is what makes chopped cheese so flavorful and delicious.
5. Serving
The way in which chopped cheese is served is an important part of the overall experience. Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. This combination of bread, meat, cheese, and vegetables creates a delicious and satisfying meal. The hero roll provides a sturdy base for the chopped cheese, while the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions add freshness and crunch. The combination of flavors and textures is what makes chopped cheese so popular.
Chopped cheese can also be served with other toppings and sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce. These toppings and sauces can add additional flavor and depth to the chopped cheese. For example, ketchup can add a bit of sweetness, while mustard can add a bit of tanginess. Hot sauce can add a bit of heat to the chopped cheese. Ultimately, the best way to serve chopped cheese is the way that you like it best. Experiment with different toppings and sauces to find the combination that you enjoy the most.
Serving chopped cheese on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions is a classic combination that is sure to please everyone. However, you can also experiment with other serving options. For example, you could serve chopped cheese on a different type of bread, such as a hamburger bun or a hoagie roll. You could also add different toppings and sauces to your chopped cheese, such as bacon, jalapeos, or pickles. The possibilities are endless!
Creating the Perfect Chopped Cheese
Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a popular choice for takeout and delivery, and can be found on the menus of many restaurants and food trucks. Chopped cheese is also a relatively inexpensive dish to make at home, and can be a great way to use up leftover ground beef.
To make chopped cheese, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Hero rolls, for serving
- Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the onion, green bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese to the skillet and cook until melted, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the chopped cheese to a cutting board and chop into small pieces.
- Serve the chopped cheese on hero rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
6. Tips for Making the Perfect Chopped Cheese
Tip 1: Use high-quality ingredients. The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the final product. Use fresh, ground chuck or sirloin. Avoid using ground beef that is too lean, as it will be dry and crumbly. Use a good quality cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Avoid using pre-shredded cheese, as it is often coated with cellulose, which can make the cheese rubbery.
Tip 2: Cook the meat thoroughly. Chopped cheese should be cooked through, but it should still be juicy. Brown the ground beef over medium heat and cook it until it is no longer pink. Do not overcook the meat, as it will become dry and tough.
Tip 3: Melt the cheese completely. The cheese is what makes chopped cheese so delicious. Be sure to melt the cheese completely before serving. This will help to create a gooey, flavorful sauce.
Tip 4: Chop the meat and cheese into small pieces. Chopped cheese is typically chopped into small pieces. This helps to distribute the flavor and texture evenly throughout the dish. Chop the meat and cheese into small pieces before serving.
Tip 5: Season the chopped cheese to taste. Chopped cheese is typically seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add other seasonings to taste. Experiment with different seasonings to find the combination that you like best.
Tip 6: Serve the chopped cheese on a hero roll. Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll. The hero roll provides a sturdy base for the chopped cheese and helps to soak up the juices. You can also serve chopped cheese on other types of bread, such as a hamburger bun or a hoagie roll.
By following these tips, you can make the perfect chopped cheese at home. Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. Experiment with different toppings and sauces to find your favorite combination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chopped Cheese
Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a popular choice for takeout and delivery, and can be found on the menus of many restaurants and food trucks. However, there are still some common questions and misconceptions about chopped cheese. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about chopped cheese:
Question 1: What is chopped cheese?
Chopped cheese is a dish made with ground beef, cheese, onions, and seasonings, cooked on a flat-top griddle and then chopped into small pieces. It is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, but can also be served with other toppings and sauces.
Question 2: Where did chopped cheese originate?
Chopped cheese originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. It is believed to have been created by a Dominican immigrant named Felipe Lopez.
Question 3: What is the difference between chopped cheese and a hamburger?
Chopped cheese is similar to a hamburger, but it is made with ground beef that is cooked on a flat-top griddle and then chopped into small pieces. This gives chopped cheese a different texture and flavor than a hamburger.
Question 4: What is the best way to cook chopped cheese?
Chopped cheese is best cooked on a flat-top griddle over medium heat. This will help to create a nice crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior.
Question 5: What are some common toppings and sauces for chopped cheese?
Some common toppings and sauces for chopped cheese include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce. You can also add other toppings and sauces to your chopped cheese, such as bacon, jalapeos, or pickles.
Question 6: Where can I find chopped cheese?
Chopped cheese can be found on the menus of many restaurants and food trucks in New York City and other major cities. You can also make chopped cheese at home using the recipe provided above.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about chopped cheese. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Summary of key takeaways:
- Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Chopped cheese originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s.
- Chopped cheese is made with ground beef, cheese, onions, and seasonings, cooked on a flat-top griddle and then chopped into small pieces.
- Chopped cheese is typically served on a hero roll with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, but can also be served with other toppings and sauces.
- You can find chopped cheese on the menus of many restaurants and food trucks in New York City and other major cities, or you can make it at home using the recipe provided above.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the ins and outs of “how to make chopped cheese.” We have covered everything from the origins of chopped cheese to the ingredients you need to make it. We have also provided a step-by-step guide on how to make chopped cheese at home.
Chopped cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a popular choice for takeout and delivery, but it can also be made at home with relative ease. If you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, we encourage you to give chopped cheese a try. You won’t be disappointed!
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