Randy Chandler
Aged cheddar cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways. From savoury to sweet, there are numerous dishes that can be enhanced by the addition of aged cheddar. Whether it's grated, sliced, melted, or crumbled, aged cheddar adds a burst of flavour to any meal. So, what are some ways to serve this delicious cheese?
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What You'll Learn
Pairing aged cheddar with wine
Aged cheddars are hard cheeses with strong, nutty flavours. When serving, it is best to take the cheese out of the fridge an hour to an hour and a half before serving to allow it to reach room temperature. This helps to bring out the flavours and textures.
When pairing aged cheddar with wine, it is recommended to choose a full-bodied white wine, such as an aged white Burgundy or Bordeaux. Tannic red wines and oxidative wines also work well with aged cheddar. These wines help to offset the strong, nutty flavours of the cheese. Examples of these include Barbaresco, Barolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, California red blends, Madeira, Nebbiolo, and Oloroso.
If you are creating a wine and cheese board, it is recommended to pair three to five different types of cheese with the wine, all with different textures and flavours. Start with the mildest cheeses first and work your way towards the sharper ones. For example, you could pair a soft, creamy cheese like brie with a nutty, textured cheese like Comte, and a dry, hard, aged goat cheese.
Aged cheddars can also be paired with other foods such as grapes, apples, and bread. A ploughman's lunch is a great way to showcase aged cheddar, pairing it with milder, creamier cheeses and cured meats.
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Serving it on a cheese board
When serving aged cheddar on a cheese board, it is important to remember to take it out of the fridge about an hour to an hour and a half before serving. This will ensure the cheese reaches room temperature, unlocking its full flavour and texture profile. If you are in a warmer climate, adjust the time accordingly so that the cheese does not get too warm and start to melt.
Aged cheddars are considered hard cheeses, and as such, they pair well with full-bodied white wines, as well as tannic red wines and oxidative wines. These wines help balance the strong, nutty flavours often found in aged cheddars. Some examples of wine that complement aged cheddars include aged white Burgundy or Bordeaux, Barbaresco, Barolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
When it comes to the cheese board itself, consider pairing aged cheddar with other cheeses that offer different textures and flavours. Start with a soft, creamy cheese like Brie, then move on to a nutty, textured cheese like Comté, before diving into the aged cheddar. You can also bake the Brie with honey, adding toppings such as dried cranberries, figs, rosemary, thyme, or walnuts/pecans.
To further enhance your cheese board, include some fresh fruit like apples, apricots, figs, and dates. Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans will also add a nice crunch and variety to your board. Don't forget to provide some bread, crackers, or breadsticks to accompany the cheeses!
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Cooking with aged cheddar
Aged cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a rich, sharp flavour to both savoury and sweet recipes. Here are some tips and ideas for cooking with aged cheddar:
Serving Suggestions
Aged cheddar can be served as part of a cheese platter, paired with fresh fruit like apples, apricots, grapes, figs, and dates, along with nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. It is recommended to allow the cheese to reach room temperature before serving to enhance its flavour and texture.
Grating and Melting
Aged cheddar is excellent for grating and melting into dishes. Try adding grated aged cheddar to scrambled eggs, french fries, mashed potatoes, or soup for a creamy, cheesy boost. It can also be melted into sandwiches, grilled cheese, or used as a topping for burgers and waffles.
Salads and Sides
Aged cheddar can add a salty, nutty flavour to salads and side dishes. Try pairing it with fruits like nectarines and strawberries, or adding it to a spinach salad with apples and walnuts. For a more indulgent option, create a butter-braised nectarine and aged cheddar salad.
Main Courses
Aged cheddar is a popular choice for adding flavour to main courses. It can be used in pies, quiches, and savoury rice dishes. Try a rustic tomato pie with a buttermilk crust, or a Tex-Mex-inspired rice bowl with sausage and a cheesy, eggy topping. Aged cheddar is also delicious in soups, such as a roasted broccoli and aged cheddar soup, or a rich and cheesy soup with kielbasa sausage.
Desserts
Aged cheddar can even be used in desserts! It pairs surprisingly well with sweet flavours. Try adding it to popovers, or use a combination of sharp white cheddar and Velveeta in a dessert to balance the sweetness.
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Serving it with fruit and nuts
Aged cheddar cheese is a versatile treat that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas for serving it with fruit and nuts:
Fresh Fruit
When creating a fruit and cheese platter, it's important to balance complementary tastes and textures. Fresh fruit goes well with fresh cheese, so consider pairing aged cheddar with crisp apples, whose crispness will complement the sharpness of the cheese. A Granny Smith apple will give you a creamy, smooth, and tart blend, while a Fuji apple paired with cheddar and a drizzle of honey will create a sharp and sweet delight.
Other fruits that can be served with aged cheddar include apricots, figs, and dates. The sweetness of these fruits will contrast nicely with the savoury, salty, and nutty notes of the cheese.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, cherries, apricots, figs, and dates can also be paired with aged cheddar. Their sweetness and chewiness will create an interesting contrast with the cheese's smooth, creamy texture.
Fruit Dishes
Aged cheddar can also be served with cooked fruit dishes. Try topping warm, spiced poached pears with grated aged cheddar, a dollop of yoghurt, pecans, and dried cranberries for a savoury dessert. For a fun summer side dish or dessert, top grilled peach halves with grated aged cheddar and garnish with honey, chopped nuts, and basil.
Nuts
When serving aged cheddar with nuts, opt for slightly salty varieties like almonds, which pair well with strong, flavourful cheeses. Other nuts that can be served with aged cheddar include walnuts, pecans, and pistachios.
Breads and Crackers
Aged cheddar can be served with hearty bread or crackers. Wheat bread, brown seeded bread, and oat bread can stand up to the bold taste of aged cheddar. For a sweet and savoury combination, try pairing aged cheddar with sweet breads like date nut bread or cinnamon raisin bread.
Drinks
When serving drinks with aged cheddar, consider a full-bodied white wine, a tannic red wine, or an oxidative wine to offset the cheese's strong, nutty flavours. A bold bourbon or a brandy/cognac can also complement aged cheddar, especially one with caramel and sweet notes.
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Allowing it to reach room temperature
Allowing aged cheddar cheese to reach room temperature before serving is important for bringing out its flavours and textures. About an hour before serving, the cheese should be taken out of the fridge and left in its wrapper to prevent it from drying out. In warmer climates, the cheese will reach room temperature faster, so it's important to keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't get too warm and start to melt or sweat.
Hard cheeses like cheddar should be taken out of the fridge an hour to an hour and a half before serving. This is because they are denser and take longer to lose their chill. Soft, creamy cheeses like brie, on the other hand, are less dense and can be left out for two to three hours before serving. Fresh cheeses, such as cottage cheese, are even softer and can be left out for 30 minutes before serving.
Once the cheese has reached room temperature, it can be served in a variety of ways. Aged cheddar can be paired with fresh fruit like apples, apricots, figs, and dates, as well as nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. It can also be grated and added to scrambled eggs, french fries, or mashed potatoes. For a simple snack, aged cheddar can be served with crackers or bread.
Aged cheddar is also excellent for cooking and can be melted into a variety of dishes. It can be used in soups, sandwiches, grilled cheese, salads, and even desserts. When cooking with aged cheddar, it's important to consider the other ingredients used to complement the strong, nutty flavour of the cheese. For example, apples and apple pie are a classic pairing, as are grapes and a glass of wine.
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