Randy Chandler
Pickles and cheese are a classic combination, especially in the UK, where it is a staple of the traditional Ploughman's lunch, typically served in pubs. The salty, sharp, and pungent flavours of pickles complement the rich, fatty mouthfeel of cheese. While any type of cheese can be paired with pickles, blue cheese is a popular choice. The pungent and salty blue cheese pairs well with rich, sweet pickled cherries, and dill pickle chips fried in a Cajun buttermilk batter are served with a blue cheese dip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food combination | Pickles and blue cheese |
| Classic combination | Yes, especially in the UK |
| Type of pickle | Sweet Bread & Butter Pickles, Sweet-and-Salty Pickle, Sweet Pickled Cherries, etc. |
| Type of blue cheese | Stilton, Wensleydale Blue, Shropshire Blue, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, etc. |
| Other ingredients | Bread, Butter, Salad, Beer, etc. |
| Food type | Appetizer, Salad, Sandwich, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Pickles and cheese are a classic combination
The classic cheese and pickle sandwich is made with mature cheddar cheese and Branston Pickle, a type of pickled vegetable chutney. However, there are many other types of cheese and pickles that go well together. For instance, blue cheese with sweet Bread & Butter Chips. The bold, tangy flavour of blue cheese contrasts with the sweetness of these pickles, creating an intriguing flavour profile that's both strong and balanced. Another option is goat cheese with Kosher Dill Pickles, which brings together the tangy, creamy goat cheese and the tang of the pickle—great for salads or as a fresh appetizer.
You can also try pairing blue cheese with Cajun fried pickles. Dill pickle chips are coated in a Cajun buttermilk batter, fried until crispy, and then dipped in a homemade blue cheese sauce. This combination is the ultimate fried pickle experience.
While pickles and cheese are a great combination, there are more pickles to explore than just cucumbers. Pickled vegetables, such as beets, beans, and even jalapenos, can also go well with cheese. For example, Tête De Moine, a shaved alpine cheese, pairs well with pickled zucchinis in the summer and pickled brown beech mushrooms in the fall. Another unexpected pairing is taleggio, a washed rind cheese, with pickled apricots.
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Pickle and cheese pairings beyond cucumbers
Pickles and cheese are a classic combination, but there's more to pickles than just cucumbers. There are many different kinds of pickled vegetables and other foods that can complement a variety of cheeses. Here are some unique pickle and cheese pairings to try:
Blue Cheese and Sweet Bread & Butter Pickles
The bold and tangy blue cheese is balanced by the sweetness of the bread-and-butter pickles. This pairing creates an intriguing flavour profile that is both strong and well-rounded.
Goat Cheese and Kosher Dill Pickles
Tangy and creamy goat cheese pairs well with the tang of a dill pickle. This combination is perfect for a salad or as a fresh appetiser.
Gouda and Spicy Pickles
The smooth and nutty flavour of Gouda can stand up to the heat of spicy pickles.
Tête De Moine and Pickled Mushrooms
This pairing features Tête De Moine, a shaved alpine cheese, with pickled zucchinis and a touch of tarragon. It's an unexpected combination that surprises and delights.
Taleggio and Pickled Apricots
Taleggio is an Italian washed-rind cheese that is meaty and a little funky. Pairing it with pickled apricots adds a unique twist to this classic combination.
Cheddar and Sweet-and-Salty Pickles
The "ploughman's lunch," a postwar British invention to encourage cheese consumption, pairs savory cheddar with a sweet-and-salty pickle. This combination is extremely satisfying and has become a classic.
Beyond Cucumber Pickles:
Pickles are not limited to cucumbers, and you can explore various pickled vegetables to pair with your favourite cheeses. Jacob's Pickles, for instance, offers pickled beets, beans, and even jalapeños. You can also find innovative options like pickled apricots, zucchinis, and mushrooms. These pairings showcase the versatility of pickles and open up a world of flavour possibilities.
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Sweetness and acidity complement blue cheese
Pickles and cheese are a classic combination, especially in the UK, where it is a staple of the traditional Ploughman's lunch, a meal of cheese, bread, and pickle invented by the postwar British government to get folks to eat more cheese after the end of rationing. The salty, sharp, and pungent flavours of pickles complement the rich, fatty mouthfeel of cheese. The sharpness of the pickles and the saltiness of the cheese complement each other perfectly, creating a delicious and addictive flavour profile.
While blue cheese can be an acquired taste due to its complexity, it is best to pair it with some sweetness and a little bit of acidity to create a balanced flavour profile. For instance, blue cheese is often paired with sweet pickled cherries or blueberries. The bold, tangy flavour of blue cheese contrasts with the sweetness of pickles like sweet bread and butter chips. The combination creates an intriguing flavour profile that is both strong and balanced.
One can also pair blue cheese with a hot sour cuke pickle, which is sweet, savoury, spicy, and sour all in one bite. This combination is exemplified in the pairing of Point Reyes Blue Cheese with a hot sour pickle, which touches on sweetness and heat while remaining balanced in salt and acidity.
In addition to the classic cheese and pickle sandwich, one can also try a bagel with shmear, lox, and dill pickles, or Cajun fried pickles with garlic blue cheese dip.
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Fried pickles with blue cheese dip
Ingredients:
- Pickles (preferably dill pickle chips)
- Buttermilk
- Cajun seasoning
- Blue cheese
- Chives
- Garlic
- Oil for frying
- Salt to taste
Method:
Begin by preparing the pickles. Drain the pickle juice and lay the pickle chips on paper towels to dry. While the pickles are drying, prepare the Cajun buttermilk batter by mixing buttermilk with Cajun seasoning. The amount of Cajun seasoning can be adjusted to your preference for spice.
Next, heat oil in a pot or a skillet over medium-high heat. Dip the pickles in the batter, ensuring they are well coated, and carefully place them in the hot oil. Fry the pickles for 1-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove the pickles from the oil using a slotted spoon or a spider, and place them on a cooling rack with paper towels underneath to absorb excess oil.
For the blue cheese dip, add all the ingredients, except for the blue cheese, to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Then, add the blue cheese and pulse until combined but still slightly chunky. You can adjust the consistency by adding more sour cream or mayonnaise. Season with salt to taste.
Serve the crispy fried pickles with the homemade blue cheese dip on the side. Enjoy the contrast of the warm, crispy pickles with the cool, creamy dip!
Variations:
You can experiment with different variations of this recipe. For a spicy kick, add smoked paprika to the cornmeal batter. Alternatively, create a creamy fried pickle dip with white cheddar, Duke's mayo, softened cream cheese, fresh herbs, and garlic. This dip pairs well with crunchy potato chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables.
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Ploughman's lunch
The ploughman's lunch is a British meal based on bread, cheese, and fresh or
A ploughman's lunch typically includes crusty bread, butter, a selection of English cheeses, pickled onions, chutney, and salad vegetables. It is often accompanied by a pint of real ale or cider, as the saltiness of the cheese enhances the flavour of the beer.
When preparing a ploughman's lunch, it is recommended to include at least three types of cheese: one blue cheese, such as Stilton, Wensleydale Blue, or Shropshire Blue; one hard cheese, such as Mature Cheddar, Red Leicester, or Double Gloucester; and one soft cheese, such as Camembert or Goat's Cheese. The blue cheese can be paired with sweet pickles like Bread & Butter Chips, as the bold, tangy flavour of the cheese contrasts well with the sweetness of the pickle. Other types of cheese that can be included are Black Bomber, Lincolnshire Poacher, Cheshire Cheese, or Cote Hill Snowdrop Cheese.
In addition to the core components, a ploughman's lunch can be customised with various items. Ham, pork pies, quiche, sausage rolls, hard-boiled eggs, and apples are popular additions. For the salad, tomatoes, celery, and spring onions are commonly used, and salt and pepper are provided as seasonings.
The ploughman's lunch is a simple yet satisfying meal that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, making it a popular choice for picnics and lazy lunches in the beer garden of a country pub. It is a classic British dish that combines staple foods and creates a well-balanced and flavourful experience.
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Frequently asked questions
A ploughman's lunch is a combination of bread, butter, cheese, onion, pickles, and salad, often accompanied by a pint of English beer. It is a classic British meal.
Blue cheese, goat's cheese, Camembert, and Brie all go well with pickles.
Sweet pickles, such as Bread & Butter Chips, go well with blue cheese. Pickled cherries are also a good pairing with blue cheese.
Yes, one recipe is for Cajun Fried Pickles with Garlic Blue Cheese Dip.
