Randy Chandler
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. When serving blue cheese, it is important to consider the type of cheese, its strength, and the other flavours on the plate. Some popular ways to serve blue cheese include crumbling it over a salad, melting it on top of a burger, or pairing it with sweet foods such as jam, honey, or fresh or pickled fruit. Blue cheese can also be used to make dips, or melted into grilled cheese sandwiches. When storing blue cheese, it is important to keep it in the coolest, driest part of the refrigerator and to wrap it in porous paper or cloth to promote air circulation.
How to Serve Blue Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eat it | On a cheeseboard, crumbled, spread, or melted |
| Melt it on | A burger |
| Make it into | A dip |
| Use it in | A dessert, grilled cheese, or salad |
| Pair it with | Salty crackers, fresh figs, roasted almonds, jam, marmalade, sweet vinegar, pickled fruits, wine, vegetables, gravy, bacon, endives, romaine lettuce, leeks, pear, arugula, or walnuts |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Serve with crackers, jam, marmalade, or sweet berries
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to burgers. However, one classic way to serve blue cheese is on a cheeseboard with crackers, jam, marmalade, or sweet berries.
When it comes to crackers, a simple unsweetened rye cracker with less salt than traditional cheese crackers can be a good choice. This type of cracker won't overpower the flavour of the blue cheese and will provide a nice textural contrast. If you want to add a bit of sweetness to your cracker, you could try a salted rosemary water cracker, which goes well with blue cheese and fruit spreads.
Speaking of fruit spreads, there are several jams and marmalades that pair well with blue cheese. A wild blueberry maple walnut compote with rosemary and balsamic is a great option, providing a sweet and savoury contrast to the salty, creamy blue cheese. For something a little different, try a triple ale onion jam spread, which combines the sweetness of caramelized onions with the bitterness of roasted garlic. This jam is especially good on a blue cheese burger or with steak and blue cheese. If you're looking for something more traditional, a simple rosehip marmalade is a classic pairing, especially with Roquefort cheese. Other marmalades that work well include fig, pear, quince, and apple.
Finally, fresh sweet berries can also be a delicious accompaniment to blue cheese. Blueberries are a natural choice, especially when paired with walnuts and maple syrup. However, don't be afraid to think outside the box—rhubarb, for example, can provide a nice contrast in colour and flavour, especially when paired with an extra small serving of a strong blue cheese like Roquefort on an unsweetened rye cracker.
The Blue Cheese of Roquefort: A Distinctive Delicacy
You may want to see also
Melt on top of a burger
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads to burgers. One of the most common and delicious ways to enjoy blue cheese is to melt it on top of a burger. Here are some tips and ideas to elevate your next burger night:
Choosing the Right Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a general term for a style of cheese characterised by blue or green veins and a bold, sharp, and tangy flavour. There are many varieties of blue cheese available, each with unique characteristics. When choosing a blue cheese for your burger, consider the intensity of flavour and texture you prefer. For a milder option, go for cheeses with fewer veins, such as Cambozola or Blue Brie. If you enjoy a stronger flavour, opt for varieties with more prominent veining, like Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.'s Original Blue.
Preparing the Blue Cheese
To melt blue cheese on your burger, crumble or slice it before placing it on top of the patty. This will allow the cheese to melt evenly and create a delicious, gooey texture. If you're feeling creative, you can even mix the blue cheese with other ingredients to make a cheesy sauce or spread for your burger. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and cheeses to find your perfect combination.
Cooking the Burger
When it comes to cooking your burger, there are a few techniques to ensure the blue cheese melts perfectly. First, cook your burger patty to your desired doneness. Then, place the crumbled or sliced blue cheese on top and continue cooking for a few minutes. You can also cover the pan or grill to help trap the heat and accelerate melting. If you're grilling your burger, try moving it to a cooler part of the grill or reducing the heat to prevent overcooking the patty while melting the cheese.
Additional Tips and Combinations
Blue cheese pairs exceptionally well with other ingredients, and you can experiment with various toppings to create a unique and mouthwatering burger. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Fried onions: The sweetness of fried onions complements the sharpness of blue cheese beautifully.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a salty, savoury contrast to the creamy blue cheese.
- Fresh pears: The mild acidity of pears balances the bold flavour of blue cheese, and the crunch adds a pleasing texture.
- Walnuts and pecans: Toasted walnuts or pecans provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy cheese, and their nutty flavour enhances the overall taste profile.
- Arugula or endive: These slightly bitter greens add a refreshing touch to your burger and pair well with the blue cheese.
- Jam or marmalade: Sweet jams, such as rosehip, fig, or quince, create a delightful contrast to the savoury blue cheese.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Is Ken's Pasteurized?
You may want to see also
Make a dip
Blue cheese dip is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of foods, such as buffalo wings, celery sticks, carrot sticks, bell peppers, crackers, and even some fruits. It is a simple dish to make and can be prepared in a few different ways. Here is a basic recipe with some suggestions for variations:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need blue cheese, sour cream or Greek yoghurt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some fresh or dried herbs such as chives or parsley, and a splash of vinegar or hot sauce for an extra kick. If you are serving the dip with wings, some people like to add poppy seeds.
In a bowl, mix together the sour cream or yoghurt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add in any fresh or dried herbs and vinegar or hot sauce at this stage. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. Next, crumble in the blue cheese. You can use as much or as little as you like, depending on how strong you want the flavour to be. Mix the blue cheese through the dip, but be careful not to overmix it as you want to keep some chunks of cheese.
Once you are happy with the consistency and flavour, transfer the dip to a serving bowl. You can serve it immediately, but it is best to refrigerate it for a few hours to let the flavours meld together. Before serving, sprinkle some extra blue cheese and herbs on top for garnish.
Some people like to make their blue cheese dip with a smoother consistency. To do this, use the back of a spoon to smash the blue cheese when mixing, or use a food processor. You can also adjust the consistency by adding a little milk or cream to the mixture. If you are making the dip ahead of time, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Indulge in Blue Cheese: Perfect Pairing Ideas for You
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Melt in a grilled cheese
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, including grilled cheese. Its bold, salty flavour and soft texture make it ideal for melting.
To make a Buttermilk Blue Melt, you will need Buttermilk Blue cheese, zucchini, and tomatoes. This recipe is a new take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
First, prepare your zucchini and tomatoes. Slice the zucchini and tomatoes into thin, even slices. You can also add other vegetables, such as onions, to enhance the flavour. Next, assemble your sandwich by layering the vegetables and Buttermilk Blue cheese between two slices of bread. Butter the outside of the bread to create a crispy, golden crust when grilled.
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese begins to melt. This should take approximately 3-5 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich and grill the other side until the cheese is completely melted and the vegetables are softened.
Serve the grilled cheese sandwich immediately while it is still hot and the cheese is melted. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as sourdough or rye, to find your favourite combination. Enjoy your grilled blue cheese sandwich!
Blue Cheese Dressing: A Low-FODMAP Surprise
You may want to see also
Top a salad
Blue cheese is a popular salad ingredient, and for good reason. Its salty, pungent flavour and creamy texture go well with a variety of ingredients, especially those that provide a contrast, like sweet fruit or crunchy vegetables.
When topping a salad with blue cheese, it's best to use a crumbly, relatively firm variety. Soft, bloomy-rinded blue cheeses won't achieve the same texture. Some popular options include Cabrales from Spain, Roquefort from France, Gorgonzola from Italy, and English Stilton.
To make the most of the blue cheese flavour, you can whisk some into your dressing, then sprinkle more on top of the completed dish. This works especially well with vinaigrettes, which can be made with ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and shallots.
For a simple blue cheese salad, start with a base of lettuce and add other vegetables like cucumber, carrot, celery, and radishes. Then, add some crunch and sweetness with ingredients like walnuts, pecans, or croutons. You can also include fruit like apples, pears, or dates. Finally, top with blue cheese crumbles and serve immediately.
If you're looking for something more substantial, you can add grains like quinoa, rice, or bulgur wheat, or proteins like bacon or grilled chicken. Blue cheese is also commonly served with steak, grilled meats, or BBQ.
Keto Diet and Blue Cheese: Is Ken's Dressing Friendly?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese should be stored in the coolest, driest part of the refrigerator, and kept well-wrapped in its original cheese paper. If it was wrapped in plastic when purchased, re-wrap it in parchment, then loosely in aluminium foil or beeswax wrap, as blue cheese needs to breathe.
Blue cheese can be served as part of a cheeseboard, crumbled, spread, or melted. It can be paired with salty crackers, roasted almonds, jam, marmalade, or honey. It can also be crumbled into a salad, melted on top of a burger, or stirred into a gravy.
Blue cheese can be used to make a dip, melted into a grilled cheese sandwich, or served as a dessert. It can also be paired with sweet foods like pears, honey, or walnuts.
Some popular blue cheeses include French Roquefort, German Cambozola, FireFly Farms MountainTop Bleu, and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.'s Original Blue.
