Fromage Fort

Fromage Fort, which translates to “strong cheese,” is a classic French spread that originated as a way to use up leftover cheese bits and rinds. It is typically made by blending various types of leftover cheeses with white wine, garlic, and sometimes herbs to create a smooth, rich spread with bold flavors. The result is a versatile spread that can be enjoyed warm or cold and served with bread, crackers, or vegetables. Each batch is unique, reflecting the cheeses that were on hand, making fromage fort both economical and deeply flavorful.

Fromage Fort

The beauty of fromage fort is in its flexibility. Whether you have soft, semi-hard, or hard cheeses, they can all be used, provided you blend them thoroughly for a smooth and cohesive texture. This spread can range in flavor from mild and creamy to strong and tangy, depending on the cheeses used. It’s a perfect accompaniment to a charcuterie board, as a dip, or even melted over vegetables and meats. By modifying the preparation, fromage fort can be made IDDSI-compliant, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this unique and comforting spread.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Appetizer, Dips and Spreads

Cuisine: French, Gluten Free

Calories: 140

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups assorted cheese pieces soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses, trimmed of rinds and cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup white wine or use broth for a non-alcoholic version
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• Fresh herbs such as parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

• Food processor
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Spatula (for scraping and transferring spread)
• Serving bowl or ramekins

Method

 

1. In a food processor, combine the assorted cheeses, minced garlic, and softened butter. Pulse a few times to start blending.
2. Gradually add the white wine or broth while blending until the mixture reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency.
3. Taste and season with salt, black pepper, and herbs if desired. Serve chilled or slightly warmed as a spread.

Notes

IDDSI Texture Modifications:

• Puree 4 (PU4): Blend the cheese mixture thoroughly until it is completely smooth, being sure to add liquids slowly to ensure mixture does not thin out too much. 
• Minced & Moist 5 (MM5): Consider serving with soft vegetables, rice, or pregelled breadcrumbs/mince. 
• Soft & Bite-sized 6 (SB6): Breads should still be pregelled at this level, and pieces smaller than 15mm.
• Easy to Chew 7 (EC7): Focus on the accompaniment’s compliance by selecting soft vegetables, grains or bread as tolerated.  

Macro Adjustments:

• Protein: Blend in cottage cheese or Greek yogurt for more protein and lighter texture.
• Fats: Use part-skim cheeses, reduce butter to 1 tbsp, or add extra broth instead of more butter to lower fat content. Use triple-cream brie or mascarpone as part of the mix, keep full butter, or drizzle with olive oil before serving.
• Carbs: Already very low carb, consider what you’re pairing with, swap rice crackers or veggies. 

Dietary Swaps:

• Gluten-free: Naturally gluten free, just focus on what you pair with it to be compliant. 
• Dairy-free/Vegan: There is a wide variety of textures of vegan cheese alternatives, you can mix cream cheese with a cheddar style with a hard and vegan butter.

Low-Spoons Shortcuts:

• Use precubed cheese trays and use jarred garlic to reduce chopping.
• Toss everything in the food processor all at once; it will come together but will be harder to control the texture if not adding gradually. 

Blending Techniques
Ensure that all cheese pieces are well-trimmed and cut into small chunks before blending. Hard cheeses should be grated or broken into smaller pieces to facilitate smooth blending.

Adjusting the Consistency
For Levels 4 and 5, adding the liquid gradually allows for better control over the texture. If necessary, pulse in additional liquid in small amounts to achieve the required consistency.

Flavor Adjustments
Add herbs and garlic sparingly and ensure they are finely blended for Levels 4 and 5 to maintain a smooth, uniform texture without any chunks.

Fromage fort is highly adaptable, making it perfect for modified texture diets. Its creamy, spreadable nature allows it to be easily adjusted to various IDDSI levels, from pureed to soft and easy to chew. The blend of cheeses, garlic, and optional herbs creates a versatile, savory dish that can be enjoyed as a spread or a warm dip, adding rich flavors to any meal.