Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a distinctive, pungent, and salty ingredient that is beloved by many. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads to wings. Making a blue cheese dressing from scratch is easy and is the perfect accompaniment to a salad. It can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator, ready to be tossed with your salad.
Characteristics and their values for tossing a salad with blue cheese dressing
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Salad | Wedge salad, Cobb salad, Shaved Brussels Sprouts salad, Green Goddess salad, Chopped salad |
| Salad Ingredients | Iceberg lettuce, Romaine lettuce, Kale, Endive, Radicchio, Spinach, Crab meat, Green onion, Parsley, Lemon, Corn, Black beans, Chicken, Cheese, Walnuts, Pecans, Dried cranberries, Apples, Carrots, Cucumber, Fennel, Avocado, Basil, Tomatoes, Red onion, Bacon, Hard-boiled eggs, Grapes, Chilled cooked green beans, Ground beef, Steak |
| Dressing Ingredients | Sour cream, Mayonnaise, Blue cheese, Buttermilk, Parsley, Lemon juice, Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Garlic, Vinegar, Chives, Shallots, Mustard powder, Olive oil, Dijon mustard, Sherry vinegar, Blue cheese crumbles |
| Dressing Consistency | Thick, creamy |
| Dressing Preparation | Whisk or stir ingredients together, refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving |
| Salad Preparation | Toss the salad with the dressing, top with extra blue cheese crumbles |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right blue cheese
For a smoother, milder dressing, go with Gorgonzola Dolce or Danish Blue, which are made from cow's milk and have a creamy texture that blends easily. If you want to add some big chunks of blue cheese to your dressing, these varieties are a good choice. Gorgonzola is a popular choice in the United States and is often used as a spread on crackers or melted in pasta dishes.
If you prefer a bolder, more pungent flavour, try Stilton, Roquefort, or Maytag. These cheeses are firmer and pack more of a punch. They are dry and crumbly, with a robust flavour that stands out in the dressing.
Other American blue cheeses to consider include Point Reyes Blue (California), Hook's Blue Paradise (Wisconsin), Great Hill Blue (Massachusetts), Oregon Blue (Oregon), and Bayley Hazen Blue (Vermont).
When choosing your blue cheese, consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. Do you want a milder or stronger flavour? A smoother or chunkier texture? The right blue cheese for your salad dressing will depend on your personal preferences and the specific ingredients in your recipe.
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Toasting walnuts
First, preheat your oven to 350°F or 375°F. While the oven is heating up, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet or a pie plate, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly. You can line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make cleaning up easier.
Once the oven is heated, place the walnuts inside and roast them until they are deeply golden brown and start to smell toasted. This should take around 5 to 10 minutes, but it is important to keep a close eye on them as they can quickly burn. Walnuts should be removed from the oven as soon as they start to change colour, as their residual heat will continue the toasting process while they cool.
Once they are cooled, the walnuts can be chopped and added to your salad or stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to three months or in the freezer for up to six months.
To toast walnuts on the stovetop, heat a large, dry frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add the walnuts to the hot pan, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Cook the walnuts, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and smell toasted, which should take about 5 minutes.
Transfer the toasted walnuts to a plate or baking sheet to cool. As with the oven method, once they are cooled, the walnuts can be chopped and added to your salad or stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge or freezer.
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Making the dressing creamy
First, gather your ingredients. You will need a creamy base—usually, this is a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. You can also add in a splash of milk or water to thin the dressing and make it pourable. Full-fat versions of these ingredients will give your dressing the best flavor and consistency. You can also add a small amount of heavy whipping cream to make your dressing extra creamy.
Next, you'll need blue cheese. You can use any type of blue cheese you like, but a dry, crumbly cheese with a robust flavor is best. Good options include Maytag Blue, Stilton, Roquefort, and dry Gorgonzola. You can also add extra crumbled blue cheese to the dressing for even more flavor.
Finally, you'll want to add seasonings to your dressing. A little sugar will balance the sharp flavors, and seasonings like dry mustard powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and Worcestershire sauce will give your dressing a flavor boost without overpowering the blue cheese.
Once you have your ingredients, it's time to mix them together. Whisk the creamy base ingredients until they are completely combined and smooth. Then, gently fold in the blue cheese until it is combined. Be careful not to overmix. You can serve the dressing immediately, or, for even better flavor, refrigerate it for at least 8 hours before serving. The dressing will get creamier as it sits, and the flavors will blend together.
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Adding other ingredients
When it comes to adding other ingredients to your blue cheese salad, the options are endless. Blue cheese is a strong and salty flavour, so it's best to pair it with ingredients that provide a contrast. Sweet ingredients like fruit are a great option—apples, pears, figs, beets, raisins, dates, honey, and candied nuts all work well. For a bit of crunch, try adding in some vegetables like radicchio, endive, or other chicories.
If you're looking for a more substantial salad, you can add proteins like grilled chicken, bacon, or crab cake. For a vegetarian option, include some beans or lentils. You can also bulk up your salad with grains like quinoa, farro, or rice.
Nuts and seeds are another great way to add texture and flavour to your salad. Try toasting some walnuts, pecans, or almonds to bring out their flavour and add a crunchy element. Dried fruits like cranberries or apricots can also add a sweet and chewy element to your salad.
Don't forget about herbs and spices! Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or chives can brighten up the flavour of your salad. A sprinkle of black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice can also enhance the other ingredients.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients. Get creative and try out new flavours and textures to find your perfect blue cheese salad!
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Serving suggestions
Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that pairs well with a variety of dishes, including salads, chicken wings, and steak. Here are some specific serving suggestions for your blue cheese dressing:
- Classic Wedge Salad: This is a traditional pairing with blue cheese dressing. Use iceberg lettuce as a base, and add crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, red onions, and blue cheese crumbles. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavour.
- Cobb Salad: This salad features mixed greens, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, blue cheese crumbles, and grilled chicken. The combination of flavours and textures makes it a delicious option.
- Chopped Salad: For a chopped salad, use a base of romaine lettuce, and add ingredients like cucumber, apple, avocado, carrots, fennel, walnuts, and blue cheese crumbles. The crisp lettuce and crunchy vegetables complement the creamy dressing.
- Spinach Salad: Spinach provides a nutritious base for your blue cheese dressing. Add walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese crumbles. The sweet and salty combination is delightful.
- Fruit and Nut Salad: Blue cheese pairs well with sweet ingredients. Consider a salad with mixed greens, grapes, walnuts, and your chosen blue cheese dressing. You can also add apples, pears, figs, beets, raisins, or dates for a unique flavour profile.
- Vegetable Crunch: If you prefer a more bitter taste, combine your blue cheese dressing with vegetables like radicchio, endive, or other chicories. The bitter crunch of these vegetables will contrast the creamy dressing.
- Buffalo Wings: Blue cheese dressing is a classic dip for buffalo wings. It provides a creamy and tangy contrast to the spicy wings.
- Steak: A juicy grilled steak goes well with blue cheese dressing. You can use it as a dipping sauce or spread it on top for an indulgent treat.
- Burgers: Blue cheese dressing can elevate your burger experience. Spread it on the bun or use it as a dipping sauce for your fries.
Remember, you can adjust the consistency of your blue cheese dressing by adding a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water to make it pourable for salads, or keep it thick for dipping. Enjoy experimenting with these serving suggestions and finding your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of blue cheese with a flavour you like. It should be dry, crumbly, and relatively firm. For European blue cheeses with PDO status, try Cabrales, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton.
You will need blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, salt, and pepper. You can also add in sugar, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, salt, and pepper until combined. Then, fold in the blue cheese. You can add more or less buttermilk to get your desired consistency.
Blue cheese salad dressing can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5-10 days.
Blue cheese dressing goes well with a classic wedge salad with iceberg lettuce, bacon, and tomato. It also pairs well with sturdy greens like romaine, kale, and endive.
