Borden Cheese

Last night I ate a burger that by rights was not a burger. It was America on a plate. Or, rather, the ingredients that America loves to import and arrange on a plate. Japanese Kobe beef acted the part of blood-red meat; a perfect circle of foie gras from a force fed French goose added a not-so-subtle richness; and thick, creamy truffled mayonnaise (Italy) garnished the whole thing off. It was a burger sent from the international Gods.

As for the USA's other favorite adopted ingredients, how about pesto and cheese? Borden’s Elsie the Cow may be trashy but when it comes to all American imagery, she’s not messing around.

ELSIE’S FAMILY FAVORITES RECIPE CONTEST

The Rules: Recipe name (may not include fanciful names or words that could infringe another party’s trademarks). The recipe must include a minimum of 4 oz. of any Borden® Cheese (Natural Shredded, Chunk, Slices or String, or Process or Prepared Cheese). Excludes cottage or cream cheese. Designation in one of the following recipe categories: (1) breakfast, (2) lunch, (3) dinner, or (4) snack

The Prize: $5,000 home makeover

The Entry: Easy Stuffed Pesto Chicken

¼ cup minced sun dried tomatoes (the kind packed in oil)
1 cup shredded Borden Six Cheese Italian blend
8 tablespoons prepared pesto
6 slices Borden Swiss cheese
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, tenderloin removed

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. PREPARE stuffing by mixing together sun dried tomatoes, shredded “Six Cheese Italian” Borden blend and 2 tablespoons pesto.

PAT chicken dry and arrange on a cutting board. Beginning at center of thicker end of breast, insert a small knife horizontally, stopping about 1 inch from opposite end. Open incision with your fingers to create a 1-inch-wide pocket. PACK one sixth of stuffing into each pocket. Season chicken all over with salt and pepper.

ARRANGE chicken on a greased baking sheet and spoon 1 tablespoon of pesto on top of each breast, spreading with back of spoon to cover. Top each piece of chicken with 1 slice of Borden Swiss Cheese. ROAST chicken in middle of oven until just cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes.