a slice of pie(BPT) – Winter holidays conjure up cravings for our favorite comfort foods – from the aroma of fresh-baked apple pie to the taste of tender roast turkey. This year, give holiday recipes a delectable new twist by incorporating the flavors of imported gourmet cheeses.

“Creatively crafted cheeses add flavor and pizazz to traditional holiday dishes,” says Chef Michael Symon, co-host of “The Chew,” author of numerous best-selling cookbooks and owner of several restaurants. “Whether you love the bold taste of Danish Blue Cheese crumbles, or prefer rich and buttery Aged Havarti, gourmet cheeses give an extra kick to cold-weather favorites.”

Blue Cheese Stuffed Turkey Breast

It’s easy to transform the time-honored turkey into a feast of flavors, according to Symon.

“For a tasty twist on the holiday bird, butterfly-cut a boneless turkey breast and fill it with a mixture of Castello(R) crumbled Danish Blue Cheese, seasoned with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and minced shallots. Roll it up in jellyroll fashion, tie with twine and drizzle with olive oil. It’s simple to prepare and will be a festive hit.”

The key to this recipe’s tastiness is Castello Danish Blue Cheese. Its sharp and slightly salty flavor, referred to as the blue “bite,” adds epicurean excitement to turkey, along with a dash of self-indulgence. To bring out the cheese’s flavor, serve with accompaniments such as pears, olives, cranberries or rye bread.

Apple Pie with Havarti Crust

Apples and cheese have long been friends, so why not marry the two flavors in an amazing pie recipe? Simply add shredded Aged Havarti to the crust. Pulse traditional crust ingredients in a food processor until small crumbs form, then pulse in the shredded cheese. According to Symon, “Castello(R) Aged Havarti’s rich, creamy texture and crunchy flecks of salt crystals are the perfect partner for an apple pie crust.”

For the filling, Granny Smith apples complement the Aged Havarti flavor and blend beautifully with traditional ingredients like granulated and dark brown sugar, cinnamon and fresh nutmeg. Real butter and heavy cream add even more richness to the recipe.

The result, according to Symon, is a decidedly decadent apple pie with Aged Harvarti’s buttery flavor: “This pie is the ultimate holiday comfort food – no matter how you slice it,” Symon says.

Symon’s recipes for Blue Cheese Stuffed Turkey Breast and Apple Pie with Havarti Crust are at www.castellocheese.com/en-us.