Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a punch of flavour to various dishes. It is made from cow, sheep, or goat's milk and can be sharp, hard, crumbly, mellow, creamy, salty, or a combination of these. Blue cheese pairs well with fruits, including berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. It also goes well with other fruits like pears, grapes, and apples. Blue cheese can be used in salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and even sweet dishes like crostini.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Blue Cheese |
| Berry Types | Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Lingonberries |
| Other Fruits | Pears, Grapes, Apples, Figs, Cherries |
| Nuts | Walnuts |
| Meat | Prosciutto |
| Salad Ingredients | Spinach, Basil, Almonds |
| Condiments | Honey, Mustard |
| Bread | Toast, Baguette, Focaccia, Flatbread, Crostini |
| Wine | Red, White, Sparkling, Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc |
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What You'll Learn
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes
Blueberries make a great pairing with blue cheese, especially in a salad. A simple salad can be made with salad greens, walnuts, and a creamy vinaigrette dressing. Blueberries can also be used in place of strawberries in a strawberry and iceberg salad with blue cheese.
Blackberries are another berry that can be paired with blue cheese. A blackberry balsamic grilled cheese sandwich with brie and blackberries is one possible combination.
Raspberries are not mentioned in the sources provided, but they are a popular berry that could potentially be paired with blue cheese in a similar way to the other berries.
Grapes also go well with blue cheese. A recipe for walnut and blue cheese grapes involves coating grapes in a mixture of blended cream cheese, blue cheese, and heavy cream, and then rolling them in a mixture of walnuts, sugar, and parsley.
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Apples, pears, and strawberries
Blue cheese is a versatile cheese that pairs well with fruits, including apples, pears, and strawberries. Here are some ways in which these fruits can be used with blue cheese:
Apples and Blue Cheese
Apples and blue cheese is a classic combination that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One popular option is to include them in a salad. A late summer or early autumn salad might include crisp apple and pear slices, tender butter lettuce, crunchy walnuts, and creamy blue cheese with a mustard vinaigrette. Apples and blue cheese can also be used in croissants, as seen in a bakery that offered apple and blue cheese croissants.
Pears and Blue Cheese
Pears and blue cheese is another classic combination that can be served as a dessert. A pear and blue cheese crumble is a quick and easy option that combines the fruit and cheese into a beautiful and tasty treat. Another variation is to include gorgonzola and prosciutto in a sandwich on walnut bread with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Strawberries and Blue Cheese
Strawberries also complement blue cheese well. A baby spinach salad with strawberries and brie or goat cheese is a refreshing option. The addition of a basil-infused extra virgin olive oil can further enhance the flavours of the dish.
These combinations showcase how apples, pears, and strawberries can be deliciously paired with blue cheese, offering a range of sweet and savoury options to suit different tastes and occasions.
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Lingonberry jam and melon
Blue cheese is a versatile cheese that pairs well with fruits, such as pears, green grapes, and strawberries. Lingonberry jam, a staple of Northern European cuisine, is one such fruit accompaniment that can be paired with blue cheese. Lingonberry jam is made from the lingonberry shrub, which grows in the Arctic tundra across the Northern Hemisphere. The jam is commonly served with meat dishes in Sweden, such as meatballs, beef stew, or liver dishes. It is also paired with fried herring, oatmeal porridge, mashed potatoes, and various desserts.
When considering a cheese pairing, lingonberry jam and blue cheese can be a delightful combination. The tartness of the jam complements the creaminess of the cheese, creating a unique flavor profile. This pairing can be enjoyed on a variety of dishes, such as crackers or toast, adding a sophisticated twist to a simple snack.
Additionally, melon is another fruit that pairs exceptionally well with blue cheese. The sweetness of melon creates a beautiful contrast with the salty, pungent notes of blue cheese. Combining these two ingredients can result in a refreshing and unexpected flavor experience.
One way to bring lingonberry jam and melon together with blue cheese is to create a mouthwatering appetizer or salad. For instance, imagine a plate with slices of ripe melon, crumbled blue cheese, and a generous dollop of lingonberry jam on the side. The jam's tartness will balance the sweetness of the melon, while the blue cheese adds a creamy, savory element to the dish.
Alternatively, for a more substantial meal, consider a spinach salad with melon, blue cheese, and a lingonberry jam dressing. The sweetness of the melon and the jam will play off the salty cheese, while the spinach provides a nutritious base. This combination of flavors and textures will elevate your dining experience, offering a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and tangy notes in every bite.
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Figs, cherries, and honey
Blue cheese pairs well with many fruits, including pears, grapes, strawberries, and even blueberries. However, one classic combination is figs, cherries, and honey.
Figs, in particular, are a popular choice to accompany blue cheese. Their sweet, ripe flavour complements the salty tanginess of the cheese. A simple way to prepare this dish is to bake the figs with blue cheese and a drizzle of honey. First, cut a cross on top of each fig, bake them until soft, and then top with blue cheese. Return the figs to the oven and bake until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Finally, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with thyme or rosemary. These baked figs can be served warm as a delicious snack or starter, or they can be used to make luxurious canapés.
For a variation, you can create a fig and blue cheese tart by using puff pastry. Cut the pastry into circles to fit a baking tin, and then place quartered figs on top. Crumble blue cheese over the figs and drizzle with honey and rosemary. Bake until the cheese is melted and the pastry is golden. Serve warm.
Cherries are also a wonderful pairing with blue cheese. One suggestion is to serve blue cheese with biscotti and amarena cherries. The crunchy, sweet biscotti and juicy cherries provide a delightful contrast to the creamy, pungent cheese.
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Blue cheese types and wine
Blue cheese is a unique and strong-flavoured cheese that pairs well with many fruits, including berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. It is made with the help of a specific mould, which creates the blue veins that give this cheese its name. The saltiness and mouldiness of the cheese make it a good match for sweet and fortified wines.
When it comes to wine, there are two classic pairings that are well-known: port and stilton, and roquefort and Sauternes. However, this does not mean that blue cheese is limited to these combinations. The veining in blue cheese can have a bitter taste, which can be balanced by a dessert or fortified wine. On the other hand, if you are eating blue cheese in a savoury dish or with other ingredients, you might prefer a drier white or a red wine.
For example, a fresh fig and blue cheese salad is delicious with a smooth Italian white wine like a Gavi di Gavi. This wine would also complement pasta or gnocchi with a blue cheese sauce, where the cheese is mellowed by milk or cream. Another suggestion is to pair a Roquefort, pear and endive salad with a Jurancon Sec.
If you are looking to pair wine with a stronger blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Cabrales, you may want to avoid medium-bodied reds, as these can be tricky to match with the pungency of these cheeses. However, a southern Italian red like a negroamaro or nero d’avola, or a zinfandel can stand up to a milder blue cheese like Bleu d’Auvergne or Barkham Blue, or even a blue cheese-topped pizza. Other fortified wines that go well with blue cheese include medium-dry amontillado or oloroso sherry, and sweet madeira.
The classic pairing for Roquefort, one of the most famous French blue cheeses, is Sauternes from Bordeaux. This wine is considered one of the greatest Botrytised dessert wines in the world. The unique conditions in the Sauternes vineyards sometimes result in a phenomenon called Noble Rot, where a specific fungus feeds on the acid and sugar of the grapes, resulting in a honeyed and waxy wine with umami flavours. The sweetness of Sauternes contrasts beautifully with the sharp and salty tang of Roquefort.
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Frequently asked questions
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries or blackberries are all berries that go well with blue cheese.
Yes, blue cheese also pairs well with pears, grapes, apples, figs, and cherries.
Blue cheese and berries work well together on a cheese board, particularly with wine. Blue cheese can also be added to a salad with berries.
