Bushra Griffith
Cheese is an essential ingredient in gourmet salads, adding flavour, texture, and richness to the dish. The type of cheese you choose for your salad depends on your taste preferences and the other ingredients in your salad. For example, a smooth, creamy Brie might be too soft for a salad, but it could work well in a dressing. On the other hand, a cheese with more substance that you can crumble, shred, or cube will lend an interesting, contrasting texture to the greens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Crumbles, shreds, cubes, slices, semi-soft, semi-hard, hard, smooth, creamy, crumbly, buttery, grainy, soft, sharp, funky, briny, salty, tangy, grassy, peppery, floral, zesty |
| Taste | Sweet, salty, tangy, nutty, bold, rich, funky |
| Type | Blue cheese, feta, goat, cottage, cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, Drunken Goat, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Swiss, buffalo mozzarella |
| Colour | Violet |
| Salad ingredients | Bacon, cranberries, toasted walnuts, bitter greens, asparagus, anchovy-laced Dijon vinaigrette, lettuce, croutons, radishes, pear, candied walnuts, balsamic dressing |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta: a semi-soft, tangy, and salty cheese made with goat, sheep, or cow milk
- Goat cheese: tangy, creamy, and crumbly, often paired with sweet or salty foods
- Blue cheese: bold and tangy, made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk
- Parmesan: a hard Italian cheese with a salty flavour, often grated or shaved
- Cheddar: a versatile cheese that can be shredded, crumbled, or cubed
Feta: a semi-soft, tangy, and salty cheese made with goat, sheep, or cow milk
Feta is a semi-soft cheese that originates from Greece. It is made with goat, sheep, or cow's milk. Feta is known for its creamy and crumbly texture and tangy and slightly salty flavour. It is a popular choice for salads due to its distinct flavour and texture.
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes. In salads, it adds a tangy and salty flavour, as well as a creamy and crumbly texture. It pairs well with other ingredients commonly found in salads, such as greens, vegetables, and vinaigrettes. The salty and tangy flavour of feta can also help to balance out other flavours in the salad, such as sweetness or bitterness.
The milk used to make feta can come from different animals, including goats, sheep, or cows. The type of milk used can affect the flavour and texture of the cheese. For example, feta made with sheep's milk tends to be tangier than those made with cow's milk.
When choosing feta for a salad, it is important to consider the other ingredients in the dish. As feta has a strong flavour and texture, it is important to select other ingredients that can stand up to it. Hearty greens, such as spinach or kale, or crisp vegetables, such as cucumbers or bell peppers, can pair well with feta.
Additionally, the amount of feta used in a salad should be considered. While feta can add a lot of flavour and texture, too much can be overwhelming. A small amount of feta, crumbled or cubed, can go a long way in a salad.
Overall, feta is a delicious and versatile cheese that can elevate a simple salad. Its tangy and salty flavour, along with its creamy and crumbly texture, makes it a popular choice for those looking to add a punch of flavour to their dish.
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Goat cheese: tangy, creamy, and crumbly, often paired with sweet or salty foods
Goat cheese is a soft, creamy, and tangy cheese that is commonly used in salads. It is made from goat's milk and is known for its rich and creamy texture. The cheese is often paired with sweet or salty foods, such as fruits or nuts, to create a balanced and flavorful dish.
One popular way to use goat cheese in a salad is to crumble it over a bed of arugula or other mixed greens, along with sliced cucumbers, onions, almonds, grapes, and dried cranberries. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the creamy texture of the cheese, makes for a delicious and refreshing summer salad.
Goat cheese can also be coated or covered in cranberries, which adds a sweet and tart punch to the salad. This type of goat cheese can be found in some supermarkets or specialty cheese shops, or it can be made at home by coating plain goat cheese in dried sweetened cranberries.
When making a salad with goat cheese, it is important to consider the texture and flavor of the cheese. Goat cheese comes in different varieties, including crumbled and whole logs, and can be found in different flavors such as plain or honey. The logs tend to be creamier, so they are often preferred for salads.
Additionally, the firmness of the cheese can impact how it is used in the salad. Goat cheese can be crumbled, grated, or shaved, depending on the desired texture and presentation. It can be tossed with the greens and other toppings, or simply drizzled with dressing and topped with the cheese.
Overall, goat cheese is a versatile and flavorful addition to salads, and its tangy and creamy characteristics make it a perfect pairing with sweet or salty ingredients.
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Blue cheese: bold and tangy, made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk
Blue cheese is a classic addition to any salad. Its bold, tangy flavour and distinctive look make it a somewhat controversial choice—you either love it or hate it. Blue cheese is made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk. All types of blue cheese are injected with a penicillium mould culture to create the classic blue veins.
Blue cheese is a natural pairing with bacon, making it a staple in a steakhouse wedge salad or a Cobb salad. It also goes well with cranberries, toasted walnuts, bitter greens, and vinaigrette. For a more exotic option, try Roquefort (usually made with sheep's milk) or Gorgonzola.
When adding blue cheese to a salad, it is best to buy a good quality block and crumble it yourself. This will result in a more flavourful and creamy addition to your salad. Pre-crumbled cheese is often dried out and inferior, and you will pay more per ounce.
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is another popular choice for salads. It is made with goat's milk, giving it a soft and creamy texture. Goat cheese has a tangy flavour and adds richness to any dish, making it a great option for summer salads. It pairs well with both sweet and salty foods. When choosing a goat cheese for your salad, opt for a more aged cheese that can be crumbled.
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Parmesan: a hard Italian cheese with a salty flavour, often grated or shaved
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese with a rich, nutty flavour and a grainy texture. It is made from cow's milk and aged for at least 12 months. Parmesan is a popular choice of cheese to add to salads due to its salty flavour and texture, which is usually grated or shaved.
When shaved, Parmesan can add an elegant touch to salads. For instance, shaved Parmesan pairs well with grilled asparagus dressed in an anchovy-laced Dijon vinaigrette. It can also be used in a classic butter lettuce salad, where it is combined with bacon, croutons, and a lemony vinaigrette to balance out the other flavours.
Parmesan is also a classic cheese for Caesar salads, where it is grated and sprinkled over the dish. Its salty flavour and grainy texture make it a versatile cheese that can complement a variety of salad ingredients.
While Parmesan is a popular choice, other cheeses such as blue cheese, goat cheese, and feta are also commonly used in salads, depending on personal preference and the desired flavour profile.
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Cheddar: a versatile cheese that can be shredded, crumbled, or cubed
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be shredded, crumbled, or cubed, making it a great addition to any salad. While some cheeses, like Brie, are too soft and buttery to hold their shape in a salad, Cheddar has a firm texture that lends itself well to being broken down into smaller pieces. This gives your salad a rich, rounded flavour and an interesting, contrasting texture to the greens.
Cheddar is a popular cheese that is widely available, and its versatility makes it a great option for those who are new to adding cheese to their salads. Its sharp, salty flavour can be a great way to add substance and depth to a salad without overwhelming the other ingredients.
When adding Cheddar to a salad, consider the other ingredients and how they will pair with the cheese. Cheddar pairs well with a variety of ingredients, making it a versatile option for salads. For example, it can be paired with fruits such as cranberries or pears, or nuts such as walnuts, to create a contrast of sweet and salty flavours.
Additionally, the texture of the Cheddar can be varied to create different effects in the salad. Shredded Cheddar will melt easily into the salad, creating a creamy texture, while crumbled or cubed Cheddar will provide a more substantial bite and a contrasting texture to the greens.
Overall, Cheddar is a versatile and accessible option for those looking to add cheese to their salads. Its sharp flavour and firm texture make it a great way to elevate a simple salad and add a rich, salty depth of flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta, goat, blue, and Parmesan cheese are all popular options for salads.
Feta is a semi-soft cheese that is crumbly and creamy with a tangy and slightly salty flavour.
Blue cheese is a good addition to green salads, steakhouse wedge salads, and Cobb salads.
