Patrick Oconnell
Cheese and salad have been a dynamic duo since Caesar's time. But is it bad to put cheese on a salad? Not at all! Cheese is an essential ingredient in gourmet salads as it adds delicious flavour, texture, and richness to the dish. However, not all cheeses are suitable for salads. For example, a smooth and creamy Brie is generally considered too soft and buttery. Instead, opt for cheeses that can be crumbled, shredded, or cubed, adding a contrasting texture to the greens and a rich counterpoint to the acidity of the dressing. Popular choices include salty and tangy feta, creamy goat cheese, nutty Parmesan, and pungent blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese to avoid | Smooth, creamy cheeses like Brie |
| Cheese to use | Feta, Blue Cheese, Goat Cheese, Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Halloumi, Akawi, Roquefort, Gorgonzola |
| Texture | Crumble, shred, cube, grate, shave |
| Flavour | Tangy, salty, nutty, funky, cheesy |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta, goat's cheese, and blue cheese are popular choices for salads
- Cheese adds flavour, texture, and richness to a salad
- Cheese is not always a healthy addition to a salad
- Some cheeses to avoid in salads include soft, creamy cheeses like Brie
- Cheese can be crumbled, shredded, shaved, or fried when added to a salad
Feta, goat's cheese, and blue cheese are popular choices for salads
Goat's cheese is another popular choice for salads, especially in Greek, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisines. It is often described as having an earthy and gamy taste, as goats tend to consume a natural grass diet. Goat's cheese is also crumbly and pairs well with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, as well as a light olive oil vinaigrette. It is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and protein.
Blue cheese is also commonly used in salads. It has a strong flavour and a creamy texture. It is often sold pre-crumbled, but it is recommended to buy a block of blue cheese and crumble it yourself for a superior taste and texture.
All three cheeses can add a rich and rounded flavour to a salad, as well as a contrasting texture to the greens.
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Cheese adds flavour, texture, and richness to a salad
Cheese is an essential ingredient in gourmet salads as it adds flavour, texture, and richness to the dish. There are numerous varieties of cheese available, each with its distinct flavour, aroma, and texture. Choosing the right cheese for a salad can elevate its taste and appeal.
Feta, a Middle Eastern classic, is one of the most successful and best-known salad cheeses. Its salty, tangy flavour is one of the best companions to extra virgin olive oil. Feta is creamy, not dry, and full of actual cheesy flavour. It has a crumbly texture that is perfect for salads.
Blue cheese is another excellent option for salads. It has a huge flavour-to-volume ratio, and a little goes a long way. Blue cheese is tangy, salty, funky, and cheesy. It is naturally creamy and pairs well with bacon, making it a great addition to a steakhouse wedge salad or a classic Cobb salad.
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a versatile option that can be crumbled over greens or fried into rounds. It has a semi-soft texture and a wonderful creaminess. Goat cheese can add floral, zesty, peppery spice, along with salty creaminess to your salad.
Other cheeses that can enhance your salad include Parmesan, which can be shaved or grated over greens, adding a grainy texture and rich, nutty flavour. Halloumi can be grilled or pan-fried before being added to a salad, as it holds its shape and has a more enjoyable flavour when heated. Cheddar, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, and cottage cheese are also great options to add flavour and richness to your salad.
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Cheese is not always a healthy addition to a salad
While cheese is a tasty addition to a salad, it is not always a healthy option. Cheese is high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. For example, blue cheese has a high flavour-to-volume ratio, meaning a little goes a long way. However, it is still a calorie-dense food, so using too much can quickly increase the calorie count of your salad.
Cheese is also high in sodium, which can be problematic for those with high blood pressure or heart disease. Feta, for instance, is a popular salad cheese known for its salty, tangy flavour. However, just two ounces (56 grams) of traditional Greek feta provides 306 mg of sodium, which is 13% of the daily value.
In addition, some cheeses are highly processed and loaded with additives and preservatives, which can be harmful to health. For instance, pre-crumbled cheese is often dried out and lacking in flavour, and it tends to be more expensive per ounce.
Lastly, cheese is a common allergen and can cause digestive issues for some people. Lactose intolerance, for example, is a common condition that affects people who cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products like cheese.
In conclusion, while cheese can add flavour, texture, and richness to a salad, it is not always a healthy choice. It is important to consider the type of cheese, the quantity consumed, and any potential health concerns when deciding whether to include cheese in your salad.
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Some cheeses to avoid in salads include soft, creamy cheeses like Brie
While cheese is a great addition to a salad, not all cheeses are suitable. Some cheeses to avoid in salads include soft, creamy cheeses like Brie, which is too soft and buttery for a salad. Instead, you want a cheese that has substance and can be crumbled, shredded, or cubed to lend a contrasting texture to the greens and a rich, rounded flavour to the dressing.
Goat cheese is a popular choice for salads, as it can be crumbled on top of greens or fried and added as a garnish. Feta is another well-known and successful salad cheese, especially when paired with extra virgin olive oil. Its salty, tangy flavour can add complexity to a salad without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Blue cheese is also a good option for salads due to its strong flavour and creamy texture. A little goes a long way, and it pairs well with bacon, making it a common ingredient in steakhouse wedge salads and Cobb salads.
Other cheeses that can be considered for salads include sharp cheddar, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. These cheeses can add flavour, texture, and richness to the dish, elevating its taste and appeal.
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Cheese can be crumbled, shredded, shaved, or fried when added to a salad
Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be added to salads in a variety of ways to enhance their taste, texture, and visual appeal. Crumbling cheese is a popular method, especially for cheeses like feta, goat cheese, and blue cheese. Crumbled cheese adds a salty, tangy, and creamy element to the salad, providing a contrast to the crisp greens.
Shredding or grating cheese is another option, creating a different texture and allowing for a more even distribution throughout the salad. Popular shredded cheeses include mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan, which can add a rich, nutty flavour to the dish.
Shaving cheese is a delicate process that results in thin, elegant slices of cheese that complement the salad without overwhelming its subtle flavours and textures. Parmesan is a popular choice for shaving due to its grainy texture and nutty flavour.
Lastly, frying cheese before adding it to a salad can transform its flavour and texture. Halloumi, for example, can be grilled or pan-fried, giving it a unique flavour and allowing it to hold its shape in the salad. Fried goat cheese has also gained popularity, adding a salty and creamy element to the dish.
The method of adding cheese to a salad depends on the type of cheese and the desired effect on the overall dish. Each method, whether crumbling, shredding, shaving, or frying, brings a unique dimension to the salad, making cheese a versatile and valuable ingredient in the kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not bad to put cheese on a salad. Cheese and salad have long been friends, and cheese adds delicious flavour, texture, and richness to the dish. However, not every cheese is right for salad.
Feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, mozzarella, halloumi, and parmesan are all popular choices for salad.
Smooth, creamy cheeses like brie are generally too soft and buttery for salads.
Salad cheese is a sprinkle, not a blanket. It should be used to add complexity to the salad without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Although most people don't think of cheddar as a salad ingredient, it is a popular choice in the Midwest for picnic macaroni salad. Sharp cheddar is especially good.
