Kraft Old English Cheese

[vvv03]

I have a recipe that calls for Kraft Old English Cheese. I have never heard of this and chances are I'm not finding this in the cheese section at Zabars. Anyone know what this stuff is and what a decent equivalent might be.

Someone at the office made a really tasty cheeseball and this was one of the ingredients listed in the recipe.

[norskskp66]

You can use Wipride Sharp Cheddar, plastic container in the dairy section (don't use the Wispride with the Port WIne, too strong a flavor)

[Candid1]

There's nothing better than, or equal to, the flavor Kraft Old English Medium Cheddar Cheese slices, (or block), but unfortunately Kraft no longer makes it except perhaps in the tiny jars which for me did not taste the same. Something in the processing to keep it soft I guess. The Kraft O.E. Med. Cheddar was universally available for many, many, years. Kraft did "substitute" with Sharp Cheddar slices, (found at Safeway), but I found it unacceptable. It has no comparison to the "original" rich, full-bodied flavor of the O.E. Medium Sharp Cheddar that all the best recipes used, and they also put a "spin" on the flavor that I found distasteful. (Though I gave it a hopeful, good try). I now substitute with Tillamook sliced medium cheddar but it's second best by far and I just reluctantly adjusted to the change in order to live with it and have something to use now. I still hold out hope that one day Kraft will release the Old English Medium Cheddar again. Or perhaps someone will put out something equal to or better than the original. There's always hope!

[Scott0]

The Kraft old english cheese slices have never been available here in md.............just the jars I grew up on. still looking for that "shrimp Newburg" recipe featuring this salty,cheesy jar of childhood joy!

[RoxieB]

It's at Randall's in Austin. I buy it for cheese olive balls that we have been making every Christmas for decades.

1 jar Kraft Old English cheese, 1/2 cup butter, both at room temp, blend in a bowl. Gradually add 1 cup flour and cayenne pepper to taste. Place in fridge till firm. Pinch off small amount and mold around small stuffed green olives. Place in freezer till you want to bake them. 12 minutes @ 400 degrees. Deelicious.

[alliegator]

Oooh, that sounds way too good! Now I'm going to launch my own search for the stuff. I remember it from my childhood, and I loved it then!

[Berheenia]

I just saw jars of it in the dairy section at Roche Brothers. - a large upscale supermarket chain in the Boston area. You should be able to find it in the New York area. If not you might look for WhisPride

[Berheenia]

I just saw jars of it in the dairy section of Roche Bros. - a large upscale supermarket chain in the Boston area. You should be able to find it in the New York area. If not you might look for WhisPride

[protzman]

Kraft Old English was the name used for over fifty years. It was sharp chedder slices. A few years ago they changed the name to "Deli Select Sharp Cheddar" to go with "Deli Select American". Who knows why. I think I do remember that Old English also came in glass jars. The Deli Select slices must be the same recipe--tastes the same.

[sunshine842]

the stuff in the glass jars was soft, like Cheez Whiz -- it wasn't a block-sliced product by any stretch of the imagination.

[bushwickgirl]

"I think I do remember that Old English also came in glass jars."

The poster stated that pretty clearly, and I do believe he/she meant that the jarred product was a soft spreadable cheese product, as opposed to slices.

[sunshine842]

I meant that you can't substitute a block-sliced product for a soft, spreadable product, even if it does taste the same.

[bushwickgirl]

Aha, and that is true.

[jeanmarieok]

Here's what it looks like -

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kraft-Chees...

I see it in the store every now and then. I mean, it's probably there all the time, but I don't notice it because I'm not usually looking for it. I use it for a crab/english muffin appy that goes in the freezer. Lowbrow stuff, my crowd eats it right up.

I don't really think it tastes the same as the slices.

[bushwickgirl]

That's how I remember the jars. I think my mom bought it when I was a kid, but I never had the slices until in my 20's and a friend bought them for burgers. I really liked them then; much better than plain old American slices, but now, well, eh...

It cracks me up that this thread's been chugging along since 2008.

[sunshine842]

ah, yes -- Crab bites -- made from utter crap, and taste divine.

We love 'em, too.

[melpy]

Even my more highbrow parents will make 'crabbies' for a Christmas Eve app. They last approximately three minutes and you are lucky to get even one.

[John E.]

So that's where the random little juice glasses that were found in my mother's kitchen came from? (Another awkward sentence).

[bushwickgirl]

Yup, and in my mom's kitchen as well. Plus the pimento cheese, the neufchatel, the bleu, and other Kraft jarred concoctions from the 50's-60's.

Kraft has the cojones to call the pimento cheese Fire Roasted Red Pepper cheese now.
Sign of the times.

[sunshine842]

but no matter what you call it, it's still nasty pimento cheese. Ugh.

[Candid1]

Absolutely not. It's nothing like Pimento cheese,...it's a completely new product offering.

[sunshine842]

you'd want to reply to bushwickgirl, not me, as it was she who said that they've renamed it.- I simply don't eat processed cheese food with anything resembling a pepper or pimento in it.

[bushwickgirl]

It's nothing like the great pimento cheese spread made in the South, or nothing like the original Kraft Old English pimento cheese in the jar, or what? How is it different from the original?

If it is a new product, and I'm sure the formula has changed as no fire roasted red peppers went anywhere near the original pimento, I can't imagine it's any better than it was.

In looking around the web, I could not locate this product, even at Kraft's website.

[Scott0]

The Kraft "Pimento cheese" has been around at least40 years. I remember it being a kitchen staple my mother kept around for her (special) recipes. Same with the Kraft Old English cheese. it's still available. it comes in the same 5 oz. glass jar with a metal top I remember from childhood. The same glass jar in fact that Kraft sells thier 'dried beef" in, also still available and a kitchen essential if making Creamed chipped beef.
There is a recipe I'm seeking using the "Old English" cheese if anyone could help. My mother has forgotten it but was a family favorite though it sounds odd. The main ingredients were shrimp, old english cheese and I think sherry, served over rice. Kind of like Shrimp Newberg but different and better. Anyone remember this?

[sunshine842]

and you know you're old when your juice glasses are the jars from cheese spreads and dried beef....

I remember that "newberg" recipe -- but can't remember what's in it -- I remember my mom being SO proud of it!

[John E.]

If anyone wishes to buy Kraft Old English Cheese Spread I found a source on-line:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00478V...

Oh, I forgot to mention, it sells for $9.99 for a 5 ounce jar plus $8.99 shipping and handling.

[Candid1]

How crazy is that!?!

[bushwickgirl]

Ouch! What we have to pay these days for a bit of nostalgia.

[clayton3014]

Listen to me everyone. Once and for all. I used this Kraft product for years and my mother before me. Before it was cheese slices or cheese in a jar it was a 2 pound loaf exactly like Velveeta. The only difference was that it was Sharp cheese as opposed to American cheese . As great as Velveeta is for cooking ( and it is although unhealthy) Old English was THE BEST COOKING CHEESE EVER!). I haven't seen it in at least 15 years so I don't think Kraft makes it anymore. But I am here to tell you it existed and it rocked!. My substitute for it is melted Velveeta and a sharp cheddar block. Usually I will build it from a white sauce. That works pretty well because you have the satiny consistency of Velveeta with a sharp cheese accent. Hope this helps.

[monkeyrotica]

Kraft still makes Old English Cheese in the jar but not the Velveeta-style loafs. As stated above, it's available in slices as Kraft Old English Deli Deluxe Cheese (Sharp Cheddar Slices). I imagine it's only a matter of time before the stuff in the jar goes the way of Kraft Roka Blue.

[bushwickgirl]

The discontinuance of Roka Blue made me sad...Sure, blue cheese dressing is easy enough to recreate, but the Roka stuff was great...

[eLizard]

roka bluu isn't discontinued. at least not where i live. i see it all the time (with old english and pimento), and i bought a few jars for the disgustingly delicious buffalo chix dip i make for the superbowl. my stomach still ain't quite right!

[monkeyrotica]

You are correct. Apparently, Roka Blue has been brought back as a seasonal item. The Kraft product search engine can tell folks where it's available.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7651...

[bushwickgirl]

Ok, after googling, it appears that the salad dressing is still in production and is now touted as blue cheese dressing and dip. Amazon even sells it, although the one review was not very favorable, calling it closer to ranch dressing than blue cheese. I've lived in NYC for 22 years and I've never seen it here, but to be honest, I don't peruse the bottled salad dressing aisle on a regular basis any more. Not seeing it in Brooklyn is not unusual, as supermarkets are smaller and shelf space is a preminum, so frequently the options are limited to the most popular or best selling brands. I doubt that Whole Foods or Fairway would carry it.

We still have the pimento cheese and Old English in the jars though, available only in very large supermarkets here. Roka Blue Cheese, in the glass jars, not the salad dressing, is impossible to find. From a post upthread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4758...

Curiosity makes we want to try a bottle to see if it still has the flavor I remember, but I'm afraid that for me, the magic of Roka that I experienced as a child is long over...

[Candid1]

I hope the heck Old English NEVER goes away! It is the best ever and in my opinion nothing can match it! It not only has a wonderful texture but it has a uniquely rich flavor, especially for a relatively inexpensive "store-cheese", as well.
My issue is I can't find the slices in recent weeks. I love it for sandwiches. I have a theory that because of how all the chain stores are going to house brands and cutting away everyone and everything they can to widen their profit margin, lack of demand will make it go away entirely! Yikes! I went to the Kraft website but was not able to find a search response or a way to contact and ask , but then I'm not the best at these things. I'm going to keep up the hunt for the cheese and hope for the best. I'll let this board know of my results.

[monkeyrotica]

The Great Grocery Store Purge continues. Many groceries have consolidated product lines and eliminated low-volume brand products, like Old English Cheese. Used to be Coke and Pepsi products made up 3/4 of the soda aisle, with the rest reserved for brands like RC. Now that's closer to 90%. Of course, this is a vicious circle, because if those are the products you're stuck with, they're the ones you get used to. A whole generation is missing out on Old English/Pimento/Roka Blue, and that's just sad.

[Candid1]

You're so right. :( It wasn''t that long ago that if I didn't find something I needed in the store they'd offer to order it for me.

Maybe we could start an internet petition. :)

I'm still finding Pimento in Safeway so far. Sales are supported by large groups of people with special dietary needs, such as kidney patients. Hopefully it remains.

[Wtg2Retire]

I can no longer find the Kraft Old English Deli Deluxe Cheese slices. My grandkids loved it on sandwiches and it truly upset them.

[jeanmarieok]

The slices are now called something different now, like 'Kraft Deli Deluxe' or something like that. I have a friend at who works for Kraft, and she said it's been rebranded, but it's the same product.

[Candid1]

Thanks jeanmarieok but It's been "Kraft Deli Deluxe" slices for years now and that's what I can no longer find. :(

[pikawicca]

It's now called "Sharp Cheddar" slices.

[Candid1]

I tried that and it's different. Thanks anyway. Even that has disappeared in the last few months. The whole Deli Deluxe line is vertually gone. I saw one pack of something I wasn't interested in, but I'll keep up the hunt.

[protzman]

Oh, I hope it hasn't disappeared. I used to get it at A&P. I order online from Stop and Shop and they don't carry it.

[yulejule]

If anyone has a recipe for Cheese cookies calling for Kraft Old English Cheese as an ingredient, would sure like to have it. It is a favorite recipe of mine which I have misplaced.
You rolled the misture into balls, pressed down with tines of fork and sprinkled with paprika - excellent cheese cookie plain or to serve with a tomato soup broth. Someone posted they had an old brochure with recipes - wonder if that recipe is on that brochure?

[coll]

I'm wondering, if the cheese itself is so different now, that the "cookie" wouldn't cook differently too? I see upthread that there used to be heavy cream in Velveeta. I'd love to make a cookie so simple.

[nostalgiafoodguy]

This is my first post here. I've been reading Chowhound for many months now but have not yet posted.

I remember my father buying these Kraft jarred "cheese foods" in decades past, mostly the "sharp cheddar" flavor which I don't know if it exists any more. In the last couple of weeks, I bought a jar of the Old English and it is so absolutely salty tasting, I could not eat it. Looking at the side of the jar, it has over 500 mg. of salt in a 2 tablespoon serving! 590 mg. is a quarter teaspoon, so there is about 1/4 tsp. of salt in 2 tablespoons of this product! Incredible! Salt lick city!

Perhaps in the 1950's when many people smoked and their taste buds dulled to the taste of excessive salt, this probably did not taste too salty.

And yes we saved the little glass jars to use as juice glasses and I still do, just for nostalgia's sake! (We saved the glass jars from the dried chipped beef that was made by Armour too!)

[clayton3014]

I must be the oldest replier here. I remember when Kraft used to make a 2 pound cheese loaf called Old English cheese. It came in a box like Velveeta but red instead of yellow. It was the best cooking cheese because it was I believe a sharp cheddar version of Velveeta. I wish I could find it. My mom used to use it to make a green bean casserole like the one people put a mushroom sauce in on the holidays but this was much better. You know the one with the Durkees fried onions on top. If anyone remembers this or knows where to find it I would love to know.

[immortalbeloved]

Am I the only one who remembers the Cheese spread with bacon in the jar? That was my favorite. Sadly also discontinued..

[Candid1]

You may be happy to know that Kraft Deli Deluxe is now selling packages of sliced Cheddar with Bacon! I saw it in Safeway and my friends would kill me to steal it off of my dead body now!

[John E.]

Old thread I know, but Kraft does not make the product you remember. My mother used to use it because it was sharper than Velveeta. It was unsliced and may or may not be the same as what is now called the Deluxe cheese slices.

[pikawicca]

Haven't read all posts, but could it possibly be this?
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Au-G...

[Dmtt1212]

Thanks pikawicca!! That's very close...I will adapt it by baking the potatoes first....thanks so much for posting! Happy Easter / Passover !!

[Dmtt1212]

I am searching for a recipe my Mom used to make for Easter with the Olde English in the jar....they were Cheese Potatoes...... All I remember is that first she baked the potatoes....then took off the skins, cut them into cubes, and sauced them with the Olde English and ?? Then back into the oven then went...they were absolutely delicious!! Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in Advance

[John E.]

My mother had a similar recipe but she used Cheez Whiz. It's a little more complicated than the recipe link just posted but it looks like it would turn out creamier. I haven't made it in a few years but it was what my mother always made for Easter to go with the ham. It's quite fattening, but I think that's probably why it tastes so good.

Cheesey Potatoes

18 potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced (14 cups)
2 sticks butter or margarine
5 tablespoons flour (may use more)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 quart milk
1 cup Cheez Whiz (may use more)

Melt butter in medium saucepan, add flour and cook into a roux. Using a whisk, stir in milk until mixture starts to thicken. Add Cheez Whiz and stir until cheese is melted. Pour over cooked, diced potatoes and heat through, either in a crock-pot or bake in the oven at 350 until bubbly.

[Dmtt1212]

Thanks so much John....it's a very similar recipe......I will give it a try for sure..... I appreciate your time! Happy Easter / Passover!!

[laliz]

I've used them all. didn't realize the old english slices were renamed however until I read this.

take pepperidge farm thin sliced bread. spread with the pineapple cheese. dust with ground walnuts. cut off crusts and cut into thirds.

Outstanding on a tea sandwich tray. Doesn't work to try to make it with cream cheese and pineapple (I've tried)

[Miss Rennie]

I remember this from when I was a kid in the late 50's: it came in a cardboard box, in block form and wrapped in plastic, and was infinitely preferable to and tastier than the regular Kraft American cheese. I didn't know it came in spreadable form, though: I thought that format was limited to Wispride Wine Cheddar, a mainstay of my college years. Then I learned about REAL cheese...

[coll]

I was going to say, Wispride plain is probably the closest around here (I love the horseradish verson, but that's another story). The only thing I've seen lately of the Old English Cheddar line is the Deluxe Kraft Sharp Cheddar slices. But it's now closer to Velveeta than sharp. I haven't seen the little bottles in years , but then again I haven't looked for it. I remember it with pimientos.

[Lorelai226]

Kraft Old English = Kraft Deli Select Sharp Cheddar Slices!

[danhole]

Kraft Old English comes in a jar and it is spreadable. There are old english slices but this isn't what the topic is about.

[mr99203]

My mother used to do an elaborate stuffed celery for holidays -- she'd take a head of celery and carefully separate it so she could put it back together the same way. Then she'd fill each stalk and re-form the celery head. She'd chill it with rubber bands around it to keep it together and then slice it to make these lovely, almost lacy, cross sections. I loved them when I was little!

[LaraineMae]

I have a very similar recipe in my "Woman's Home Companion Cook Book," from the early 40's. It was my mother's cook book. You separate the celery stalks, stuff them with a savory cheese spread, such as pimento, Fit the stalks back together in a cylinder shape, overlapping the stalks by 1/3, like a petal pattern. Chill until very firm. Slice into 1/2 inch rounds to serve.

[ewenmck]

I have been looking for two years for a substitute for Knorr-Swiss packet Newberg Sauce. It has been discontinued. My sister-in-law has an answer. Make a roux ( flour and butter) add cream, sherry, paprika and a jar of Kraft Old English cheese (no cheating). The jar looks like nasty stuff but that is the recipe. This version is at least 80 years old and is a Maine staple.

[chipwest]

Kraft once made a block processed cheese like Velveta and Delux American called "Old English" that came in a red box but I haven't seen it in years.I was looking for it when I came across this posting.

[gourmanda]

For those of you making "crabbies" or "crab muffies", if you can't find the jar of KOECS, you can make a very thick mornay with sharp cheddar and it will be fine. I did this the first time I made those and couldn't find the jar. Now I know it is in the dairy section of the grocery store.

[Sapeloe]

I have an undated recipe pamphlet from Kraft that I'm guessing is from the 1930s. On the back it shows three boxes of cheese -- "American Pasteurized Process Cheese" listed as medium, "Velveeta Pasteurized Cheese" listed as mild, and a box of "Creamed Old English Cheese" listed as sharp. I'm guessing they all had similar textures just different "sharpnesses." The fine print on the box for the Old English says "Sharp Aged Cheese Pasteurized with Added Cream." Hope that might help.

[yulejule]

Does this pamplet have a recipe for cheese cookies on it? I have lost my copy and would sure like to find a copy of it.

[deedavis]

I jar of Old English
1 stick of butter
dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 cup of flour
Roll into little balls, flatten slightly and bake at 325 for 8-12 minutes

Never used paprika but I suspect these are the same!

[Candid1]

The recipe sounds great and I copied it, but I'd prefer the slices for everyday use.

[MellowRoast]

Until recently there was both a Kraft Old English Deli Deluxe Cheese (Sharp Cheddar Slices) and also a bottled spread. The spread is still being sold under the name Kraft Old English Sharp Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread, and it comes in a 5-oz. jar.

However, the slices have been renamed as: Kraft Deli Deluxe Sharp Cheddar Slices (UPC 21000 60256) and is sold in an 8-oz., 8-slice pack. It's wonderful and I've been eating it since childhood. I use it on sandwiches, cheese toast, crackers, and in my own pimiento cheese spread recipe. Hope this helps.

[happyhomemaker]

You are correct. I use the 5 oz. jars (3 of them) of the Old English in a soup recipe I have. I hope they never quit making it because I really don't know what I would substitute for it. They have several different flavors too.

[marcia2]

I grew up eating the Old English slices and still like them for toasted cheese sandwiches or grilled cheese. Think a sharper, somewhat less fake version of American cheese. Until today, I never knew there was a spread with the same name. Either I just never noticed it on the supermarket shelves or it's not there.

I wonder if the difference is regional. I grew up Massachusetts and now live in NY.

[SweetPea914]

The "Crabbie" recipe mentioned below is what I had used Old English Spread for. Growing up in CT I had never used this and didn't know where to look for it. However, I got the recipe from my MIL who lives in Western Mass. I think it's more of a generational item than a regional one. But who knows!

[debbie032]

Thanks for the tip! One of my favorite recipies has the Old English slices in in and I thought they weren't making them any more! I was crushed! I'll hit HEB this morning and pick some up!

[SOYLE]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR KRAFT "OLD ENGLISH" SLICES SEEMS LIKE FOREVER. I RECENTLTY TALKED WITH A KRAFT REP. IN A SUPER MARKET AND HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THEM. HE THOUGHT I WAS A LITTLE OFF THE BEAM. HE WENT SO FAR AS TO PULL THE PRODUCT LINE OFF HIS LAPTOP TO SHOW ME THERE WAS NO SUCH THING. I REALLY FELT STUPID. BUT AFTER READING YOUR RESPONCE I THINK I SHOULD WORK FOR KRAFT. THANKS FOR YOUR "I KNOW BETTER" INFORMATION.

[NostalgicOne]

Ms. Soyle,
Although a while ago. Don't feel off center, I'm not surprised by individuals working for companies and don't know there stock, it's common 21st. century. But, Old English does exist. The slices were discontinued back in the late seventies/early eighties due to Kraft Slices being more popular. The spreadable version in the glass jar still exists. They did bring back the Old English Cheese, in slices, but changed the name to Deluxe, or Deli Deluxe. I have'nt eaten this stuff in years, but I think the name change a long time ago. Beneath my responce, there is a responce from Saploe that might help further in sloving this mystery. I think some products were sold by popularity in some regions of the Country and virtually unknown in other parts. Old English was the sharp flavored, American Cheese medium flavored and velveeta as mild. I think Saploe is right. I always thought of these as similar cheeses, just different chemicals and colors to change the ellusion of it being a totally different cheese. Hope this helps!!

[jeanmarieok]

You are correct, the Old English slices are in the sliced cheese section, and I think they are called Delux now....

[sgplambeck]

Spot on, MellowRoast! Kraft Old English slices were originally marketed as a sharp version of American cheese, and I've been in love with it since I discovered it in my teens, at small neighborhood grocery in the late 60's. It has always been difficult to locate, even more so since the name change to Kraft Deli Deluxe sharp cheddar slices. I believe the name changed around 1990.

In Chicago some Jewel Foods stores carry it, but not consistently. Fortunately for me, Peapod always sells it.

But in all these decades of scanning food aisles for this elusive but essential cheese, I never once saw an Old English cheese spread -- this forum is the first place I ever heard of it! Perhaps it never found it's way into the Chicago market. Interesting!

[bushwickgirl]

Just want to mention that this is an old thread, and you'll probably not get a response from MellowRoast, who was a one shot poster and never returned. Another poster may respond, though, aside from me.

[lesliedm3]

I grew up in Chicago and my mom made a cheese ball with Old English and Roka Blu spreads mixed together along with cream cheese and grated onion and then rolled in chopped pecans. A real treat of my childhood. Mom always shopped at Jewel, so I know Jewel carried it way back when. I haven't lived in Chicago in quite a few years, but I'll bet Old English is there some where. After all Kraft hq is in Chicago.

[SweetPea914]

I tried to find this once for a recipe and had trouble as well. I eventually found it in the jar in the dairy section of a supermarket. I do remember checking the ingredients so I could sub it if I ever needed it again. If I remember correctly it is basically velveetta, but with some horseradish, onion powder and garlic powder added in. If anyone has a jar at home maybe they can check and post for you??

[karykat]

Wasn't there also something like this that had pimento in it? Or am I just imagining that?

[Slackerchick]

Yes, there is an olive and pimento version

[danhole]

My mom loved these Kraft spreads, so we had just about all of them in our fridge when I was a kid. There is pimento, olive & pimento, old english, and a pineapple. Those are the ones I most remember. She used to use the pimento, and the pimento & olive to stuff celery sticks. They really do not have the consistency of Velveeta. It's closer to a cream cheese, but not as creamy. Sort of halfway between the other two items.

[SweetPea914]

True, it is a little creamier, maybe more like the spreadable velveeta in a jar? Or is that cheez whiz? I don't buy this stuff very often, so not sure.

Pineapple kraft spread? That sounds oddly good, or really disgusting...I can't decide but it has me curious. :-)!

[danhole]

You are thinking about Cheez Whiz! That is thicker than the spreads in the jar. You would be surprised how tasty the pineapple spread was, or maybe I was too young to know better! ;-)

[NostalgicOne]

In responce, although a year later. As a child, I too loved these cheese spreads, like your Mom. Growing up on Long Island, I was able to find this Pasteurized processed Cheese Product in most grocery stores near the Deli meats, cheez wiz and velveeta. But, living presently in New York City I am unable. Which probably is for the best considering I've made more health concious decisions in recent years. The flavors you've mentioned, all but one, I am familiar with. 'The Pimento" I did not know that one existed. However, does anyone remember "Blu Rocu" I'm not sure I'm spelling it correctly, but, this was an additional flavor Kraft offered. It was white in color and had sort of a Cream Cheese flavor with the zest of Blue Cheese. Old English, However, was sharp in taste and kind of reminded me, similarly, to the cheese Kraft would use in their cheese n cracker snacks. Remember, four club crackers with a red stick and a cheese compartment, in a clear plastic miniature package.

[greygarious]

Yikes, that jogs the grey matter! "Roku", I believe it was spelled - a very slight nod to Roquefort, I imagine.

I think the 8oz plastic containers of sharp cheddar flavor processed cheese spread sold today - Kaukauna is one, but there are others - is pretty much the same as Old English. They're usually next to the flavored cream cheese tubs.

[coll]

I was going to say, a month or so I noticed the little jars of Kraft in the cream cheese section at the grocery. That's where they're hiding out.

[laliz]

I think it was Blu Roka

[greygarious]

Yes, I think you are right, but also think that it was Roka Blu.

[jeanmarieok]

My mom has a recipe for a blue cheese spread made with roka blue, cream cheese and a packet of onion soup mix. Haters - do not even bother trying it - but for the more open minded - it's really good. Must have been a recipe from the 70's because that's where most of my mom's good recipes came from.....

[wekick]

The Roka Blue in a jar has been discontinued.

[bushwickgirl]

Kraft Roka Blu was also the name for their "bleu" cheese bottled salad dressing, back in the '60s. As a kid, I Ioved it as a dip for apple slices.

[crazechik]

Ok I have a jar of Kraft Old English right here in front of me. Its ingredients are Cheddar chees (Milk, Cheese culture, Salt, Enzymes), Water, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Lactic Acid,Apocarotenal ( Color). It is a Sharp Pasteurized Process cheese spread. It is a mix between velveta and cheez wiz in consitincy thicker than cheez wiz.

[folprivate]

My family has used Old English for an extremely addictive appetizer for years.
Jar of Old English
4 Tbl softened butter
2 Tbl mayo
1 clove of garlic minced
can of lump crab
dash of cayenne
Mix well and spread on mini bagels. Sprinkle with paprika and bake in 350 oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. Even for those averse to processed cheese (like me) they are delicious.

[cuccubear]

i still make this recipe, although I put it on English muffins instead of bagels.

[danhole]

I would not use a substitute for the Old English Cheese spread, until you taste it. It is not just sharp cheddar cheese, seems to have a kick of something else. I haven't had it in years, but I do have the little glass jars, that are perfect for little hands for juice.

There is a Pub Cheese that I have had that is pretty close from what I remember, but I'm not sure the consistency would work.

[eLizard]

I made a cheese spread that could easily be made into a ball from a pound of the holiday leftover cheese, quarter cup of white wine, a clove of garlic and some parsley and processed it until creamy. It is delicious.

[LaLa]

They also make a pinapple flavor that people put on very very thin ham and toothpick for app.

[LaLa]

oh and in some stores it is by the crackers

[Tay]

To settle the jar Vs slices question: It apparently comes in both, although I'm not sure if the ingredients are the same and obviously, the consistancy isn't since one is a spread. It's very salty and has a strong "cheesy" flavor. That's probably why it's called for in the cheeseball reicpe. Velveeta is not a good substitution due to it's 'melty-when -heated' consistancy. The Kraft Old English sliced cheese packages (they only come in 8oz packages) are readily available at most large Supermarkets. I just saw it at Wegman's Just look in that section. It's surprisingly expensive. The packaging is similar to it's other packed cheese/cheese food, so it's usually a matter of just reading the labels

[Morganna]

Ooo weird! Thanks for clearing that up. :) I can't imagine a cheeseball made with a velveety thingie, but to each their own! :)

[Morganna]

You can replace it with any decent cheese spread (I'd recommend it, in fact). I have something from WisPride on my desk even as we speak that would probably be better than the Kraft stuff. :) But you can buy these cheese spreads from a lot of places. They're ubiquitous during the holiday season and places like Hickory Farms, Swiss Colony, Harry and David, a whole lot of places that have 'holiday baskets' make a killing. It is spreadable cheese in a crock or tub. The good ones are made from real cheese. :)

[deedavis]

It's not actually. I just tried substituting the WisPride cheese in a recipe that I've used forever using Kraft Old English--I can't find it in NYC groceries anymore. ANyway, the taste and texture are different. So it isn't the same --sadly.

[deedavis]

Found it in Queens grocery store -- long island city.

[leanneabe]

Here's what the jar looks like: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Products...

It's a cheese spread, which is what makes cheese balls so creamy smooth. Velveeta is not a good substitute, but your grocery cheese aisle (next to velveeta, block cheddar, american singles, string cheese, etc) should carry some variant of cheese spread, if not the Kraft brand.

[karykat]

I can picture this in our frig as a kid. In the glass jar. My mother must have been using it for something like cheeseballs back then. She was a whiz at those.

[pine time]

Sooo funny--I just went to the kitchen to check, and yes, I have 2 jars leftover from Christmas Beer Cheese! That recipe used to call for Kraft Nippy cheese, another awful processed product that came in a small plasticized roll (yummy, eh?) The little jarred stuff is great once drowned in beer, real blue cheese, garlic and hot sauce.

[sunshine842]

ROFL -- those little sausage rolls of cheese! You had to pry the little plastic lid off, then insert a knife into the cross pattern of the thing they inserted into the tube so you could squeeze the cheese out.

That stuff was just plain nasty, even to a kid, and I have no idea why my mom bought it.

[eamcd]

I agree. I think I've seen it near velveeta -- just past the real cheese aisle, since this stuff is on unrefrigerated shelves! I know my mom has a recipe that uses it too (yes, in a small glass jar) for a hot crabmeat appetizer. I seem to recall: cheese spread, canned crab, butter and I'm sure something else -- the mixture is then spread on english muffins, baked and served in slices). Hmm haven't thought about that in a while, not very healthy or Chow-worthy, but a memory of party food!

[Slackerchick]

You can search by Zip Code to see where a nearby store is
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Products...

I think my mom still uses a couple of these jars as juice glasses. They had "fancy" cutouts on them.

[cjc519]

Exactly the recipe I requested from a friend's mom last year.... Crab Muffies is what she called them. I make them all the time as apps and people devour them!

[ellieirish]

Dear Eamcd, I know that recipe with crab meat and Kraft old english spread and english muffins. I just had it at a party and it went over like gangbusters. It was fabulous and I made it for my son's graduation. Let me know if you have it or I can send.

[melpy]

We always called them Crabbies and they are DELICIOUS. Only reason I ever buy Old English.

[pikawicca]

I buy slices of it to wrap around my dog's monthly heart worm pill. It's no longer called Old English, however. I think it's Sharp Cheddar. They call it that, but of course it isn't. My dog likes it, though.

[monkeyrotica]

"I buy slices of it to wrap around my dog's monthly heart worm pill."

This is, without a doubt, the best product endorsement I have ever read here. You've sold me.

[AlaskaChick]

This is a presliced cheese from kraft - similar to kraft singles but thicker and not individually wrapped. I imagine any other type of processed cheese would work - its probably giving you the right texture since processed cheese will be smoother

[Becca Porter]

Hmm, I've only seen it in a small glass jar as well...

[Morganna]

No, it's a cheese spread, not sliced. :)

[pikawicca]

It might also be available as a spread, but I've been buying sliced for years.

[riversuzyq]

It's definitely a spread and not slices. My mom used to use it in her cheese ball too back in the day! It is a sharp spread, you could substitute any sharp flavored potted cheese spread. It's orange in color (cheddary).

[cjc519]

When I've had to use it I've found it at my local grocery store (Acme) and it actually comes in a small glass jar. I think it's just a processed cheese product. Strangely enough, it's usually next to the deli case with the Velveeta. Although I'm not sure, Velveeta might be an acceptable subsitute.