Andy Montoya
Apricot Stilton is a unique and flavorful cheese that combines the traditional English Stilton with the sweet, tangy essence of apricots. This blend creates a beautiful contrast between the creamy, tangy cheese and the sweet, fruity apricots, resulting in a mild and fresh flavour. While it can be enjoyed by itself or within recipes, its crumbly texture makes it challenging to serve on crackers as an appetizer. For a delightful contrast in texture and flavour, consider serving it with fig and olive crisps, or even grilled in a sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Crumbly but smooth |
| Flavour | Sweet, tangy, mildly acidic |
| Type of Apricot | Dried |
| Suitable for | Vegetarians |
| Serving suggestions | On its own, with crackers, fig and olive crisps, grilled cheese sandwiches |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Serve with fig and olive crisps
Apricot Stilton is a delightful blend of traditional English Stilton and apricot's sweet, tangy essence. The White Stilton is combined with fruit, in this case, apricots, to create a beautiful contrast between the creamy, tangy cheese and the sweet, fruity apricots. The apricot adds a light sweetness to this mild cheese.
Apricot Stilton can be served in various ways, and one of the most popular methods is to enjoy it with fig and olive crisps. The crisp texture and savoury flavours of the crackers provide a delightful contrast to the creamy, crumbly cheese.
To serve the cheese with fig and olive crisps, first bring the cheese to room temperature to soften it slightly and enhance its flavour. Then, arrange the crisps on a serving platter or board, placing the cheese alongside or on top of the crisps. You can also try spreading the cheese on the crisps for a tasty, bite-sized treat.
For a more decorative presentation, consider garnishing the platter with fresh or dried apricots, as well as other complementary fruits such as grapes or berries. You can also add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chopped nuts to enhance the flavour and presentation.
When serving Apricot Stilton with fig and olive crisps, feel free to get creative and experiment with additional accompaniments. Some suggestions include fresh or dried fruits, various types of crackers or bread, chutneys or jams, and a variety of nuts. Enjoy exploring the different combinations of flavours and textures that complement Apricot Stilton and fig and olive crisps.
Gouda's Glory: Best Ways to Serve This Cheese
You may want to see also
Enjoy as part of a cheeseboard
Apricot Stilton is a delightful addition to any cheeseboard. This unique cheese combines the traditional English Stilton with the sweet, tangy essence of apricots, creating a delightful contrast between the creamy, tangy cheese and the sweet, fruity apricots. The clean, fresh, slightly acidic flavour of crumbly White Stilton makes an ideal partner for fruits like apricot. The result is a mild and fresh-flavoured cheese that is excellent for dessert.
When serving Apricot Stilton as part of a cheeseboard, consider including a variety of complementary crackers, breads, and accompaniments. For example, fig and olive crisps can provide a tasty contrast in texture and flavour to the cheese. You may also want to offer fresh or dried fruit, such as additional apricots, grapes, or berries, to enhance the fruity notes in the cheese.
Nuts and honey can also be delightful accompaniments to Apricot Stilton. Toasted walnuts, almonds, or pecans can provide a crunchy texture and a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the cheese. A drizzle of honey, especially a variety with a strong flavour like chestnut or thyme honey, can also bring out the sweetness of the apricots in the cheese.
If you want to include other cheeses on your cheeseboard, consider selecting varieties that will complement the Apricot Stilton. Mild and creamy cheeses, such as a young Cheddar or a Brie, can provide a nice contrast to the fruity notes of the Apricot Stilton. You could also include a blue-veined cheese, such as Blue Stilton, to showcase the different varieties of this famous English cheese.
When assembling your cheeseboard, remember to allow the Apricot Stilton and any other cheeses to come to room temperature before serving. This will ensure that the flavours and textures are at their best. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations and creating a delicious and visually appealing cheeseboard centred around Apricot Stilton!
The Art of Serving Stilton Cheese
You may want to see also
Try it in grilled cheese sandwiches
Apricot Stilton is a delightful blend of traditional English Stilton and apricot's sweet, tangy essence. The creamy, crumbly texture of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruit make it an excellent choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Here are some tips to make the most of this unique cheese in your grilled cheese creation:
Start with good-quality bread: Choose a type of bread that has a crust that will grill up crispy and a soft interior that will melt nicely. Sourdough or a crusty white bread are excellent choices.
Prepare your apricot Stilton: Bring the cheese to room temperature before using it, as this will make it easier to work with and ensure it melts evenly. Cut the cheese into thin slices or crumble it with your fingers to make it easier to distribute over the bread.
Assemble the sandwich: Butter each slice of bread lightly on one side. This will give your sandwich a golden colour and a crispy texture. Place the slices butter-side down on a work surface. Layer thin slices of the apricot Stilton on one slice of bread. You can also add some complementary ingredients, such as sliced apples or pears, a drizzle of honey, or a few fresh apricot slices. Top it with the second slice of bread, butter-side up.
Grill the sandwich: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese has melted. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. If you want to add a crunch, press the sandwich gently with a spatula while grilling. Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately.
Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients and serving suggestions to create your perfect grilled apricot Stilton sandwich. Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavours of this delightful cheese!
Cheese Portion Control: Babybel Cheese Serving Size
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pair with smoked meats
When pairing apricot Stilton cheese with smoked meats, you can create a delicious and sophisticated flavour combination. The key is to balance the strong, distinctive flavours of both the cheese and the meat. Here are some tips and ideas to guide you:
For a classic pairing, choose a smoked ham. The saltiness of the ham complements the sweetness of the apricot Stilton, and the smoke adds a delicate, savoury touch. Go for a dry-cured or baked ham, as the texture and flavour will stand up to the strong cheese. Try serving thin slices of smoked ham with chunks of apricot Stilton on a platter, perhaps with some crisp crackers or toasted walnut bread.
Bacon is another great option to pair with apricot Stilton. Wrap dates or figs with bacon and bake until crispy, then serve with chunks of the cheese. The sweet, sticky dates or figs balance the saltiness of the bacon and the richness of the cheese. Alternatively, try a bacon and apricot Stilton panini. Layer the cheese with sliced apple, a drizzle of honey, and rocket leaves between two slices of sourdough bread, then grill until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melting.
If you're a fan of smoked salmon, give this a try with apricot Stilton. The oily, rich salmon pairs beautifully with the cheese, especially when served on a bed of rocket or watercress. Add some thin slices of red onion and a drizzle of lemon juice to cut through the richness. Smoked duck or chicken breast also works well with apricot Stilton. Serve thin slices of the smoked poultry with the cheese, perhaps as part of a charcuterie board, or use it to top a salad that includes the cheese, toasted nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette.
For a heartier meal, apricot Stilton can also be used to make a delicious, smoky pasta dish. Try frying some diced smoked pancetta or bacon until crispy, then adding chopped apricots and crushed walnuts to the pan. Toss this through cooked penne pasta with a generous helping of apricot Stilton and a grind of black pepper for a quick and tasty dinner. Remember, when pairing apricot Stilton with smoked meats, you want to create a balance of flavours, so choose meats that are not overly smoky or salty, and always serve with fresh, complementary ingredients to enhance the overall flavour profile.
Serving Cold Brie: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Eat it by itself
Apricot Stilton cheese is a variety of White Stilton, a young version of Blue Stilton cheese that does not contain Penicillium Roqueforti. It is characterised by a salty, earthy flavour and blue-green mould veins. While it can be used in cooked dishes, such as sauces for steak or pasta, it can also be enjoyed by itself.
If you want to eat Apricot Stilton by itself, it is best to keep it somewhere cool, such as a larder. To keep it soft and creamy, you can double-wrap it in greaseproof paper followed by aluminium foil. If you have a whole Apricot Stilton cheese, it is recommended to cut off a round at a time and then replace the top to prevent the cheese from drying out.
Apricot Stilton is a crumbly cheese, so it can be tricky to put on a cracker. However, some people still enjoy eating it this way, perhaps with a little pickled onion or an olive. You could also try crumbling it on top of a salad or steak.
When eating Apricot Stilton by itself, it is essential to let it come to room temperature first. This will enhance its creamy texture and allow its flavours to shine.
Texas Roadhouse's Blue Cheese Dressing: Light or Regular?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Apricot Stilton cheese is a blend of traditional English Stilton and dried apricots, resulting in a sweet, tangy, and creamy flavour.
Apricot Stilton cheese can be served on its own or within recipes. It pairs well with crackers, fig and olive crisps, or grilled cheese sandwiches.
As a sweet and tangy cheese, Apricot Stilton would pair well with a variety of drinks, including dessert wines, ports, or sweet sherries.
Apricot Stilton cheese is versatile and can be paired with both sweet and savoury foods. Some options include smoked meats, fish, caviar, chocolate, cookies, and fresh or dried fruits.
Apricot Stilton cheese is a unique and flavorful cheese that can be a delightful addition to any cheese board, making it perfect for special occasions or summer gatherings.
