Randy Chandler
Quince paste is a delicious, versatile treat that can be served in many ways. It is often paired with cheese, and the two make a great addition to a cheeseboard. Quince paste can be served with hard and semi-hard cheeses such as Manchego, or soft cheeses like goat's cheese, brie, or feta. It can be spread on crackers or toast, or served with bread, meats, and fruit. Quince paste is typically served at room temperature, sliced or cubed, and can be eaten as an appetizer or dessert.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Hard, semi-hard, soft, mild, salty, sweet, sour, basic, fancy, triple cream, cow's milk, goat, feta, halloumi |
| Type of board | Cheese, charcuterie, holiday |
| Other foods | Crackers, bread, toast, crostini, meats, fruits, nuts, honey, jam, jelly, blackberries, greens, pumpkin, persimmon, cinnamon, lemon |
| Preparation | Quince paste can be sliced, cubed, spread, dehydrated, rolled in sugar, baked, pureed, stewed, blended, dried, frozen, glazed, chilled, baked |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a quince paste and cheese holiday cheese board
A cheese board is a delightful addition to any holiday celebration, and quince paste is the perfect pairing for cheese. Here is a guide to creating a stunning holiday cheese board with quince paste:
Selecting the Cheeses
The key to a great cheese board is variety. Choose two to three different cheeses with different textures and flavours. A good option is to include one hard cheese and one soft cheese. For the hard cheese, Manchego, a nutty-flavoured Spanish cheese, is an excellent choice and pairs beautifully with quince paste. For the soft cheese, a creamy Brie is always a crowd-pleaser and goes well with quince paste and other toppings. You could also include a blue-veined cheese, an aged hard cheese, or a semi-firm cheese to add more variety.
Preparing the Quince Paste
Quince paste, also known as Membrillo, is a sweet, thick paste made from quince fruit. It is a popular accompaniment to cheese and can be easily made at home. To make quince paste, start by peeling and coring the quinces. Cut the quince into large cubes and place them in a pot with water and the juice of half a lemon to prevent discolouration. Add cinnamon sticks and cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes until soft. Once cooked, puree the mixture in a blender. To make the paste, cook the puree over low heat for about an hour, stirring regularly, until it becomes a dark amber colour.
Assembling the Cheese Board
Now, it's time to assemble your holiday cheese board! Start by placing your cheeses on a large cutting board or platter, spreading them out with some space between them. Add small bowls filled with nuts, such as Marcona almonds or Peppered Maple Pecans, and perhaps some spiced or roasted nuts to give a variety of textures. Include a bowl of honey, as well as some fruit preserves like fig jam. Don't forget the quince paste! Slice the quince paste and arrange it on the board. Fill in the gaps with fresh, colourful fruits such as persimmons, pears, apples, figs, grapes, or berries. Add some salty elements like olives or cured meats. Finally, include an assortment of crackers. Play around with the arrangement, treating the cheese board like a canvas, and don't be afraid to get creative!
Serving Tips
Your holiday cheese board can be assembled up to four hours before your event and kept at room temperature. If you're preparing it further in advance, it can be refrigerated for up to two days. Don't forget to provide mini plates, forks, and napkins for your guests. Pair the cheese board with some wine or champagne, and you're all set for a festive and delicious holiday treat!
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Best cheeses to pair with quince paste
Quince paste is a great addition to any cheese board, offering a sweet and tart flavour that pairs excellently with creamy cheeses. Quince paste is soft and spreadable, so it's best to include a few soft and hard cheeses on your board for variety. Here are some of the best cheeses to pair with quince paste:
Manchego
A traditional pairing, Manchego is a mild, nutty Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk. It is slightly dry and salty, making it an excellent contrast to the sweetness of the quince paste.
Sharp Cheddar
Aged white cheddar has a bite to it that goes well with the sweet notes of quince paste. Any cheddar will work, but an aged, sharp cheddar is particularly good.
Parmigiano Reggiano
This hard Italian cheese can be served in chunks to crumble over quince paste or cut into squares for bite-sized pieces.
Comte
This cheese gets stronger and develops delicious cheese crystals as it ages. Choose a Comte that has been aged for at least 24 months for the best texture and flavour.
Tomme de Brebis
This semi-soft sheep's milk cheese has a smooth taste that won't overpower the flavour of the quince paste. It is not spreadable but has a softer texture than some of the harder cheeses.
Brie or Camembert
Both of these soft cheeses are easy to find and pair well with quince paste. Brie is a little stronger in flavour than Camembert, but both have a creamy texture that goes well with the sweetness of the quince.
Brillat Savarin
This French triple cream cow's milk cheese sometimes has a ribbon of truffles through the middle. It has a very smooth texture and is excellent spread on a cracker or bread with quince paste.
Chevre (Goat Cheese)
Chevre can be basic or fancy, so there are many options to choose from. A basic Chevre is a good choice if you're unsure, but you can also dress it up by rolling a log in harissa paste and crushed almonds.
Feta
Feta offers a salty/sweet/sour combination when paired with quince paste. You can also find low-salt versions of feta if that is a concern.
Halloumi
Halloumi is a Greek-style cheese that is best served warm or hot. Fry or grill the cheese and serve it on toast for a grown-up take on grilled cheese.
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How to make quince paste
Quince paste is a sweet-tart fragrant preserve made with ripe quinces, sugar, and water. It is a firm, sticky paste that is perfect for slicing and serving with cheese. Here is a recipe for quince paste that can be made in less than an hour.
Firstly, cut the lemon in half and mix the juice of one half in 2 litres of cold water. Then, peel and core 450g of quince, placing the large cubes into a pot with the lemon water to prevent discolouring. Add the cinnamon sticks and cook at a medium temperature for about 25 minutes until the quince is soft. Once cooked, add the mixture to a food blender to make a fine puree.
Next, transfer the quince pulp to a saucepan and add sugar. Ideally, you should add the same amount of sugar as fruit pulp. Cook and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking and frequently stir with a wooden spoon until the paste becomes very thick and has a deep orange colour, which should take about 1.5 hours. Draw the wooden spoon along the bottom of the saucepan – if it leaves a trail, the quince mixture is ready.
Finally, lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with greased parchment paper. Transfer the quince paste to the baking dish, spreading it about 1.5 inches thick. Smooth the top and allow it to cool. Dry the paste for about 1.5 hours in the oven at the lowest setting, which should be no more than 125°F (52°C). Allow the quince paste to cool completely before slicing.
The traditional method of drying quince paste in Europe is to leave it in a cupboard for about 7 days. However, you can also place the paste in an oven at a low temperature (125°F) for 8+ hours to firm it up.
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How to serve quince paste and cheese
Quince paste is a delicious and versatile addition to any cheese board. It is a perfect pairing with a variety of cheeses, offering a sweet and tart contrast to the salty and creamy flavours of cheese. Here are some tips on how to serve quince paste with cheese:
Choosing the Cheese
When creating a cheese board with quince paste, it is best to include a variety of textures and flavours. Include some hard and soft cheeses, as well as a mix of ripe and mellow varieties. A few specific types of cheese that pair well with quince paste include:
- Manchego: This classic pairing is a hard, nutty-flavoured Spanish cheese that complements the sweetness of the quince paste.
- Creamy Brie: Brie is a soft cheese with universal appeal that goes well with quince paste and other toppings or spreads.
- Goat Cheese (Chevre): Chevre can range from basic to fancy and can be dressed up with harissa and crushed almonds.
- Feta: Feta offers a salty/sweet/sour combination that pairs well with quince paste.
- Grilled or Fried Halloumi: Halloumi is a Greek-style cheese that is best served warm or hot, such as on toast.
Preparing the Quince Paste
Quince paste can be purchased or made at home. To make quince paste, cook quince pieces with water, vanilla, and lemon peel until tender. Then, puree the mixture and let it set. The paste can be cut into squares or wedges and served with the cheese. It can also be dehydrated and rolled in sugar as a sweet treat.
Assembling the Cheese Board
When assembling a cheese board, consider the placement of the items. You can fan out mixed greens on various parts of the board to act as "coasters" for the cheeses and quince paste. Place festive items like pumpkin, persimmon, and cinnamon in the corners of the board. Put the cheeses near the centre of the board and arrange the crackers along the perimeter. You can also include other elements like nuts, fresh fruit, bread, and additional spreads.
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How to store quince paste
Quince paste can be stored in a variety of ways, depending on your preference. The high sugar content acts as a preserving agent, so it will keep for a long time. Some people wrap the paste in foil and store it in an airtight container in a pantry. This method can make the paste last for up to three months.
Alternatively, you can store quince paste in the refrigerator. This method can make the paste last for a year or more. You can use plastic containers or wrap the paste in plastic or glad wrap. It is best to expel as much air as possible and wrap the paste in several layers.
You can also freeze quince paste. To do this, pour the paste into a grease paper-lined tin and place it in the freezer for a few hours. Then, cut the paste into smaller pieces, wrap them in foil or plastic, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. This method can make the paste last for at least a year.
If you want to store quince paste for a shorter period, you can leave it on a board or in the moulds to dry out. This method will make the paste keep "very nicely" for a few days.
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Frequently asked questions
Quince paste is a great addition to a cheese board. It can be sliced or spread like a soft cheese and is typically served with hard and semi-hard cheeses, like Manchego. You can also serve quince paste with crackers or bread.
A classic pairing is quince paste with Manchego, a hard Spanish cheese with a nutty flavor. Another option is to pair quince paste with a soft cheese like creamy Brie or Brillat Savarin, a triple cream cow's milk cheese. For an easy finger food, skewer a piece of quince paste and a piece of queso fresco on a toothpick.
To prepare quince paste, you can stew quince and then puree the mixture before letting it set. You can also bake quince paste in the oven at a low temperature to help it dry out and set. Quince paste can be served at room temperature or chilled, and it will keep in the fridge for at least three months.
