The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Chorizo

The combination of chorizo and cheese is a match made in heaven. This classic duo is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from grilled cheese sandwiches to pizzas and dips. The type of cheese you choose depends on the flavour profile you want to create. For example, a mild and mellow cheese like Monterey Jack or Mozzarella will allow the chorizo to shine, while a sharp cheddar or Manchego will add a robust flavour to your dish.

Spanish chorizo and manchego cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• Spanish chorizo
• Manchego cheese
• Bread
• Olive oil
• Arugula
• Piquillo peppers

Optional Ingredients

• Onion
• Jalapeño
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Other hard cheeses, such as smoked cheddar or aged cheddar

Method

• Warm a small skillet/frying pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil.
• Fry the diced chorizo, onion, jalapeño, and garlic until crispy.
• Slice the piquillo peppers and the cheese, and open the bread roll.
• Place the chorizo slices in the pan and allow to crisp and brown slightly, then turn over.
• Remove the chorizo from the pan but keep the oil.
• Pour the chorizo oil into the inside of the bread.
• Put arugula into the bread, followed by the piquillo pepper slices, cheese, and chorizo slices.

Tips

• Use a spicy or mild chorizo, whichever you prefer.
• Slice a whole sausage rather than using ready-sliced pieces, as they are generally too thin to crisp up in the pan properly.
• Use a firmer, cured or semi-cured chorizo rather than a cooking chorizo, as you are just gently rendering and crisping rather than giving it a longer cook.
• For a more Spanish sandwich, use Manchego or other good Spanish sheep's milk cheese.

Chorizo grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• 3 chorizo sausages (6 ounces), thinly sliced on the diagonal
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 8 slices of sourdough bread, cut from a pullman loaf
• 6 ounces of Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of drained and sliced pickled jalapeños
• 6 ounces of Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 small avocados, halved and sliced

Optional Ingredients

• 1 small white onion, finely diced
• 1 clove of garlic, finely diced

Instructions

• In a large skillet, cook the sliced chorizo over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Drain the chorizo on paper towels and wipe out the skillet.
• Butter the bread on 1 side and place 4 slices buttered-side-down on a work surface.
• Top the bread with Monterey Jack, chorizo, pickled jalapeños, avocado, and Mozzarella.
• Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side-up.
• Preheat 2 large skillets. Add the sandwiches and cook over moderate heat, turning once, until the bread is golden and crisp, about 8 minutes.
• Cut the sandwiches in half and serve.

Tips

• If you want to add some extra flavour, fry the onion and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned, then add the chorizo and continue frying until the chorizo is crisp.
• For a milder sandwich, replace the Pepper Jack cheese with a milder variety such as Havarti.
• For a crispier texture and to avoid large chunks of chorizo in the sandwich, dice the chorizo and fry it before adding it to the sandwich.
• If you're looking for a side to serve with your sandwich, sweet potato wedges or coleslaw are great options to balance out the spice and saltiness of the chorizo.

Four-cheese and chorizo pizza

A four-cheese and chorizo pizza is a delightful combination of flavours and textures that will tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving more. This pizza is a perfect choice for those who want to indulge in something hearty and savoury. Here is a detailed guide to creating this mouth-watering dish.

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough: Start by preparing or purchasing a ball of pizza dough, which will serve as the base for your delicious creation.
• Tomato coulis: This forms the foundation of your pizza sauce, adding a tangy and slightly sweet flavour to complement the other ingredients.
• Four cheeses: The magic happens with the combination of mozzarella, goat cheese, gorgonzola, and maroilles. These cheeses bring different characteristics to the pizza, creating a complex and indulgent flavour profile.
• Chorizo: Choose a tender and mild variety of chorizo to top off your pizza. Its savoury and slightly spicy notes will perfectly balance the creaminess of the cheeses.

Method:

• Prepare the pizza dough about an hour before you plan to bake the pizza. This will give it time to rest and rise, resulting in a more airy and delicious crust.
• Spread the dough onto your chosen baking tray or pizza stone.
• Cover the dough with a layer of tomato coulis. This will provide a flavourful base for your other toppings.
• Dice or grate the four cheeses and sprinkle them evenly over the dough. The combination of mozzarella, goat cheese, gorgonzola, and maroilles will create a creamy and tangy flavour profile.
• Remove the casing from the chorizo and cut it into thin slices. Layer these slices on top of the cheese. The chorizo will provide a savoury kick and a beautiful contrast in texture.
• Preheat your oven to 220°C (thermostat 7). This temperature will ensure that your pizza cooks through evenly and results in a crispy crust.
• Bake your pizza for approximately 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. You're aiming for a golden-brown crust and melted cheese.
• Once baked to perfection, remove your pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly. This will allow the cheese to set slightly and make it easier to slice.
• Slice the pizza into wedges and serve it while it's still hot. Enjoy the explosion of flavours as you bite into the crispy crust, savoury chorizo, and creamy, melted cheese.

Tips and Variations:

• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese to find your perfect combination. For a milder flavour profile, you could opt for Monterey Jack and mozzarella, as suggested in a chorizo grilled cheese sandwich recipe.
• If you're feeling adventurous, add some extra toppings to your pizza. Sliced peppers, onions, or even avocado can enhance the flavour and provide a colourful contrast.
• For a more authentic Spanish experience, pair your pizza with a glass of red wine or a crisp cider.
• If you have any leftover pizza, it can be easily reheated. Pop it in the oven or toaster oven to warm it through, and you'll have a delicious snack or meal ready in no time.

Now you have all the information you need to create a mouth-watering four-cheese and chorizo pizza. It's a perfect choice for a casual dinner with friends or a cosy night in. Enjoy the delicious combination of flavours and the satisfaction of creating a restaurant-worthy pizza at home.

Chorizo and cheese dip

A creamy, spicy, and velvety dip, this chorizo and cheese dip is perfect for any party or get-together. It is easy to make and can be served with tortilla chips, or even sweet potato wedges.

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Fresh chorizo
• Onion
• Jalapeño
• Garlic
• Flour
• Milk
• Tomato
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Pepper Jack cheese
• Cilantro
• Pickled jalapeños

Method:

Heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced jalapeño, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

Next, add the chorizo to the pan. Cook until the chorizo is browned, and be sure to crumble it as it cooks. Drain the excess fat and set the chorizo aside.

In the same pan, add a little more olive oil and heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly browned. Gradually add the milk, followed by the diced tomato. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens.

Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the cheeses until the mixture is smooth. Add the cooked chorizo, keeping some aside for topping. Season with salt and pepper.

For an extra golden, crispy topping, place the pan under the grill for a few minutes.

Serve immediately with the remaining chorizo and some fresh cilantro leaves. For extra heat, add some pickled jalapeños on top!

Tips:

• This dip can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. However, it is best served fresh.
• When reheating, avoid using the microwave. Instead, use a stove-top or oven to ensure the dip stays creamy and doesn't become grainy.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute gluten-free flour.
• If you can't find fresh chorizo, you can use ground pork seasoned with spices like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and a dash of vinegar.

Chorizo and cheese platter

A platter of chorizo and cheese is a winning combination. The country par excellence of chorizo, Spain, is full of little treasures that can be combined with this charcuterie to create an exceptional combination.

Cheese Options

When it comes to cheese, you can opt for the classic Spanish "queso Manchego" (sheep's milk cheese) or "cabrales", a real Iberian nugget that brings together three kinds of milk: cow, goat, and sheep. These Spanish cheeses are ideal if you want to keep your platter as Spanish as possible.

However, if you want to explore other options, Bleu des Causses, Pélardon, and Comté are French cheeses that also pair well with chorizo.

Chorizo Options

For the chorizo, offer your guests several varieties to cater to different tastes. You can include mild, strong, and extra-strong chorizos. Slicing the chorizo yourself instead of buying pre-sliced pieces is recommended, as thicker slices will crisp up nicely in a pan.

Extras

While the star of the platter is the chorizo and cheese, you can add some extras to enhance the experience. Consider including crackers or bread, olives, and pickled vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, or onions. Fruits such as apples, pears, or grapes can also complement the platter, as well as dried fruits like apricots or dates.

Serving Suggestions

For a simple and delicious serving suggestion, enjoy the chorizo and cheese raw, without any cooking or embellishments. However, if you want to take it a step further, you can try melting the cheese and serving it with the chorizo. Here's a quick recipe:

Chorizo and Melted Cheese

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of grated cheese (Emmental or 4 cheese blend)
• 150 grams of chorizo
• 1 small onion
• Olive oil
• 1 raw tomato

Instructions:

• Pour olive oil into a pan and brown the finely chopped onion.
• Add thinly sliced chorizo when the onions start to become transparent.
• Brown the mixture and pour it into an ovenproof container.
• Cover the chorizo with grated cheese.
• Place the dish in an oven preheated to 200°C and cook for around ten minutes.
• Once out of the oven, add chopped or diced tomato and lightly salt it.
• Serve with flour tortillas, corn totopos, or nachos.

You can also serve this dish with a country salad (tomato, lettuce, olives, potato, egg, etc.) and guacamole for a refreshing contrast to the melted cheese and chorizo.

Drinks

As for drinks, a glass of red wine or cider is often paired with chorizo in Spain.

Frequently asked questions