Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a pungent, flavourful cheese with a unique appearance. It is made with the addition of Penicillium roqueforti, a mould that gives the cheese its distinctive blue veins. With a range of textures and flavour profiles, blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads and cheeseboards to grilled cheese sandwiches and dips. For those who love its bold, tangy taste, blue cheese is a staple, but for those who are less convinced, it can be an acquired taste. This paragraph will explore different ways to showcase blue cheese, highlighting its versatility and unique flavour profile.
Characteristics and Values of Blue Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Production | Culturing of spore-rich inocula, fermentation, incubation, aerobic incubation, whey drainage, brine salting or dry salting, ripening |
| Taste | Tangy, savory, creamy, spicy, rich, bold, earthy, sweet |
| Texture | Semi-soft, soft, crumbly, creamy, crunchy |
| Pairing | Sheridans Brown Bread Crackers, Sour Cherry Chutney, grilled apples, walnuts, balsamic dressing, pecans, crackers, biscuits, charcuterie, chutneys, burgers, grilled cheese, salads, dips, desserts |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese on a cheeseboard
Blue cheese is a bold and distinctive choice for a cheeseboard. It's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of cheese, with strong, tangy flavours. If you're serving adventurous eaters, it's a must-have on your cheeseboard.
When selecting blue cheese for your cheeseboard, consider the different textures and flavour profiles available. For example, the Irish blue cheeses offer a range of experiences, from the spicy creaminess of Kearney Blue to the rich and earthy Young Buck, or the tangy Boyne Valley Blue. You could also try a strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort.
To showcase blue cheese on your cheeseboard, consider the following tips:
- Offer a variety of cheeses: Blue cheese is a great addition to a board with a variety of cheeses, perhaps two or three other options. You could include a soft cheese like brie, a mild cheese like goat cheese, or a semi-hard cheese like cheddar.
- Add contrasting flavours and textures: Nuts, dried fruits, and olives can provide a crunchy texture and enhance the flavour profile of your cheeseboard. Specifically, almonds are a great pairing with blue cheese, especially flavoured almonds like Rosemary and Sea Salt, or Garlic Herb and Olive Oil.
- Include something sweet: Honey, jam, or chutney can balance out the salty, tangy flavours of blue cheese. Offer these on the side so your guests can decide how much they want to pair with the blue cheese.
- Don't forget the crackers: Offer a variety of crackers or crostini to provide a neutral base for the blue cheese and other selections.
- Presentation matters: Slice your blue cheese in large chunks to showcase the texture and colour. Fan semi-hard cheeses across the board, and cut soft cheeses into bite-sized slices or wedges. Fill blank spaces with colourful fruits like grapes or clementines.
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Crumble on a burger
Blue cheese burgers are a delicious treat and a great way to showcase blue cheese. The key to a good blue cheese burger is to get that tangy flavour in every bite. To do this, you can either crumble the blue cheese into the ground beef or stuff the patty with blue cheese.
The Beef
The best blue cheese burgers are made with 80% lean ground beef and 20% fat. This will ensure your burger stays nice and juicy. You can use plain ground beef, but some recipes suggest adding grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, cinnamon, and rosemary to the mix for an extra kick of flavour.
The Cheese
You can use pre-crumbled blue cheese or crumble a block of cheese yourself. The latter melts better, giving you a more even distribution of flavour. However, if you're short on time, pre-crumbled cheese will work just fine.
The Method
Gently mix your ground beef, blue cheese, and any additional ingredients in a large bowl. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can cause the burgers to become tough. Form the mixture into four patties, making an indentation in the centre of each to prevent them from puffing up on the grill. Place the burgers on a preheated grill and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side for medium, adding a minute for medium-well, and subtracting a minute for medium-rare.
The Toppings
Blue cheese burgers go well with a variety of toppings. Red onion, lettuce, and tomato are popular choices, but you can also add bacon, mushrooms, and bell peppers. If you really want to showcase the blue cheese, top your burger with some extra blue cheese crumbles.
The Sauce
A blue cheese and rosemary mayonnaise is a perfect pairing for a blue cheese burger. Simply mix mayonnaise, blue cheese, rosemary, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, allowing the flavours to meld and develop.
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Make a dip
Blue cheese dip is a versatile and easy-to-make recipe that can be served with a variety of dishes, such as buffalo chicken wings, raw or roasted vegetables, salads, or even as a spread on homemade bread. The key to a delicious blue cheese dip is to use a good quality blue cheese that you enjoy, such as Gorgonzola, Danish Grand D'Or, or Stilton, and to allow the dip to rest so that the flavours can meld together.
Ingredients:
- Blue cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Mayonnaise
- Chives or green onion
- Fresh garlic or garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Milk (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. If you prefer a chunky dip, simply crumble the blue cheese into the bowl. For a smoother dip, mash the blue cheese with a fork, adding a little lemon juice to form a paste, before mixing in the other ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper, and add other ingredients like lemon juice, parsley, or Worcestershire sauce to taste.
- Cover the bowl and chill the dip in the refrigerator until serving. The dip will taste better the longer it rests, allowing the flavours to meld together. It can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Serve the blue cheese dip with your choice of accompaniments, such as buffalo chicken wings, celery, carrot sticks, bell pepper slices, apple and pear slices, or homemade bread.
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and adjust the measurements to your preference. You can also try adding other ingredients like horseradish, dill, or feta cheese for a different flavour profile. Enjoy your homemade blue cheese dip!
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Melt in a grilled cheese
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including burgers, dips, desserts, grilled cheese sandwiches, and salads. Here are some tips and ideas for melting blue cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich:
Choose the Right Blue Cheese
Blue cheese has a soft texture and melts quickly and completely. When selecting a blue cheese for your grilled cheese sandwich, consider using a variety that has a bold, salty flavour, such as Gorgonzola, Cashel Blue, Buttermilk Blue, or Maytag Blue. Gorgonzola, in particular, has a very creamy texture that makes it ideal for melting.
Prepare the Cheese
Before adding the blue cheese to your grilled cheese sandwich, you may want to crumble or shred it into smaller pieces. This will help it melt more evenly and quickly. You can also try mixing it with other ingredients to create a spreadable cheese mixture.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Assembly
To assemble your grilled cheese sandwich, start by selecting a bread of your choice. You can use sliced bread, such as sourdough or rye, or a thicker option like Texas toast. Butter one side of each slice of bread lightly, which will help the bread toast evenly and give it a golden colour. Place the slices butter-side down in a hot pan. Add your blue cheese to one slice of bread, along with any additional toppings of your choice, such as zucchini, tomatoes, or caramelised onions. Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread, butter-side up.
Grilling the Sandwich
Cook the grilled cheese sandwich over medium heat until the bread is toasted and golden brown. You can use a panini press, a grill, or a skillet. If using a skillet, it is recommended to cover the sandwich with a lid or aluminium foil while grilling to help the cheese melt evenly. Grill the sandwich for a few minutes on each side, carefully flipping it over once the first side is toasted.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your grilled blue cheese sandwich warm, allowing the cheese to be melty and savoury. You can pair it with a side of tomato soup, a light salad, or some crispy potato chips. For added flavour, you can also experiment with different condiments, such as a tangy mustard or a creamy blue cheese dressing.
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Top a salad
Blue cheese is a strong-flavoured and creamy ingredient that can be used to top a variety of salads. When showcasing blue cheese in a salad, it's important to consider the other ingredients carefully to ensure they complement the cheese.
A blue cheese salad can be a simple yet impressive dish, full of exciting textures and flavours. The cheese itself is the star of the show, and you can use as much or as little as you like. It's best to opt for a crumbly, relatively firm blue cheese that can be crumbled over the salad. Some popular varieties include Danish blue cheese, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Cabrales.
To make a blue cheese salad, start by preparing the cheese. Crumble the blue cheese, reserving some for the dressing if desired. For the salad base, choose a crisp, neutral green such as chopped hearts of romaine lettuce, or a mix of little gem, curly lettuce, radicchio, and rocket lettuce for added crunch and peppery flavour. Thinly slice some sweet apple, celery for extra crunch, and red onion or shallot for a sharp kick. You can also add other vegetables like cucumber, carrot, avocado, and fennel.
Next, prepare your protein. Salty, crispy bacon is a classic combination with blue cheese, but you could also use cooked chorizo for something more sophisticated. Chop the bacon into small bite-sized pieces and allow it to cool completely before adding it to the salad. Toasted nuts add a lovely crunch and flavour to the salad; try walnuts, pecans, or sesame seeds.
Finally, prepare your dressing. In a blender, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and the reserved blue cheese. Blend well and adjust the seasoning to taste. If you're not a fan of blue cheese, you can substitute it with feta cheese. This dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, allowing the flavours to develop. When ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing and top with extra blue cheese crumbles.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheeseboard is a great way to showcase blue cheese. You can pair it with crackers, such as Sheridans Brown Bread Crackers, and a chutney like Indie Füde Sour Cherry Chutney to bring a balance of sweet and tangy flavours.
Blue cheese can be incorporated into a variety of meals, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas. It can be melted, crumbled, spread, or eaten as is. For example, you can melt blue cheese on top of a burger or make blue cheese, bacon, and candied pecan puff pastry bites for a dessert.
Blue cheese can be used to make a variety of dips, such as a pear and buttermilk blue dip or a quick blue cheese dip with Gorgonzola cheese and toasted pecans.
