We Love Melted Cheese This Much (PHOTOS)

In our humble opinion, melted cheese makes every food taste better. When two boring slices of bread get together with melted cheese, you've got a grilled cheese(a food so loved that it has its own national holiday). When served on top of tortilla chips, you get nachos. You could probably smear melted cheese on a piece of cardboard and we'd call it culinary genius. Melting is the best thing cheese could do.

While we haven't yet caved into buying this (awesome) 'I heart Melted Cheese' t-shirt, we did write a bit of a love letter to our favorite dairy product, when in its very best state. Melted cheese, we love you, in so many different ways.

Herman Reunion Cheese Ball

Ingredients :

Original recipe makes 12 servings

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions :

1. In an electric food processor or blender, combine cream cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce. Blend well. Add Cheddar cheese and process until the Cheddar is fine, but still very visible. Shape the mixture into balls or logs. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and place in the freezer.
2. While the balls are in the freezer, combine the ground pecans and parsley in a shallow bowl. Remove the balls from the freezer and roll them in the pecan and parsley mixture.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients :

Original recipe makes 2 servings

• 4 slices white bread
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 slices Cheddar cheese

Directions : 

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. 
2. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 1 slice of cheese. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich. 
3. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining 2 slices of bread, butter and slice of cheese.

Bacon Cheddar Chive Muffins

Ingredients :

Original recipe makes 12 muffins

• 6 thick slices bacon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 teaspoons dried chives
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions :

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin pan.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, chives, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Combine the egg, milk, cream of mushroom soup and vegetable oil. Mix into the dry ingredients and stir together just to moisten.
4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans and bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.