Blue Cheese's Perfect Pairings: Cheesy Companions For A Tangy Treat

Blue cheese is a pungent and flavourful ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and sandwiches to burgers and pizzas. It is a versatile cheese that can be paired with many different foods, but what are the best cheeses to accompany it?

Blue cheese and fruit

Blue cheese is one of the best cheeses to pair with fruit. Its bold, sharp, and tangy flavour with grassy notes and hints of mushroom, combines beautifully with sweet, fresh, and dried fruits.

Some classic pairings include:

• Fresh figs, pears, and apples
• Dried fruits, such as cranberries and cherries
• Walnuts
• Honey

For a special treat, try serving blue cheese with a cranberry and dried cherry sauce, drizzled with honey, or spread on a baguette.

Blue cheese also works well with fruit in salads. For example, a stone fruit salad with sweet plums and nectarines, crunchy pecans, and a balsamic vinaigrette is a delicious combination. Another option is an autumn salad with figs, apples, and grapes, sweetened with a honey-vinegar drizzle.

If you're looking for a more indulgent option, grilled stone fruit with blue cheese and honey is a perfect balance of sweet and savoury.

When creating a cheese platter, blue cheese is an excellent addition, especially if you're serving 4-5 cheeses. Pick a variety of blues in terms of hardness, creaminess, type of milk, and country of origin. Some specific types of blue cheese that pair well with fruit include:

• Cambozola, a combination of triple cream brie and gorgonzola
• French Roquefort, a picante tangy pungent blue cheese
• English Stilton, a well-rounded, sweeter, creamier, and nuttier option

So, the next time you're looking to indulge in some blue cheese, don't forget to add some fruit to your plate!

Blue cheese and honey

A simple way to enjoy this combination is as an appetiser or part of a cheeseboard. To make this, bring blue cheese to room temperature, drizzle with honey and serve with slices of baguette or crackers. You can also add some crunch with toasted walnuts or pecans. For a more indulgent option, try drizzling the honey over blue cheese and melted butter on a rosemary flatbread.

If you're looking for something more substantial, blue cheese and honey work well in a salad with ingredients like apples, pears, grapes, dried fruits and walnuts. You can also add blue cheese and honey to a focaccia or crostini with caramelised onions and pears. For a heartier meal, try a chicken quesadilla with blue cheese and caramelised onions, or a beef dish with a creamy blue cheese and honey sauce.

For dessert, blue cheese and honey can be a surprisingly delicious combination. Try drizzling honey over blue cheese with crackers or crostini, or go all out with a dessert cheese board featuring blue cheese, honey and fruits like apples, pears or figs.

Blue cheese and chutney

Blue cheese is a versatile and flavourful cheese that can be paired with a variety of chutneys to create delicious and complex flavour profiles. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating exquisite pairings with blue cheese and chutney:

Traditional Pairings

Texture Considerations

When pairing blue cheese with chutney, consider the texture of both elements. Blue cheese can range from creamy and buttery to crumbly and sharp. A smooth and creamy blue cheese, such as a Cambozola or a Gorgonzola Dolce, pairs well with a thicker chutney that has chunks of fruit or nuts in it. On the other hand, a crumbly blue cheese like a Roquefort or a Stilton might be better suited with a smoother chutney that can provide a contrasting texture.

Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of both the blue cheese and the chutney should be taken into account when creating pairings. Blue cheese can have a range of flavours, from tangy and sharp to salty and spicy. Pairing a strong and spicy blue cheese with a sweeter chutney, such as a date or tomato chutney, can create an intriguing contrast. Alternatively, a milder blue cheese might be enhanced by a sharper chutney, such as a green tomato chutney. Consider the underlying flavours of the blue cheese and choose a chutney that will either complement or contrast with them.

Experimenting with Flavours

Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavour combinations. Blue cheese is a versatile cheese that can stand up to a variety of chutneys. For a unique pairing, try a blue cheese with a savoury chutney that incorporates ingredients like onions, garlic, or even beer. The savoury and tangy flavours of these chutneys can provide an interesting counterpoint to the richness of the blue cheese. Additionally, the sharpness of the blue cheese can help to balance the sweetness of some chutneys, so don't shy away from pairing it with chutneys that have a sweeter profile.

Presentation Ideas

When serving blue cheese and chutney, consider the presentation to elevate the dining experience. Arrange the blue cheese on a platter with small bowls of different chutneys, allowing your guests to sample and mix flavours. Accompany the cheeses and chutneys with fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and crackers or bread. This will provide a variety of textures and flavours for your guests to enjoy and create a visually appealing display.

Blue cheese and chocolate

Chocolate, on the other hand, is often associated with sweetness and dessert. So, how do these two seemingly opposite foods come together? Well, it's all about the contrast. The sweetness of chocolate can actually complement the boldness of blue cheese, creating a unique and indulgent flavour experience.

One example of this pairing is the Choco 21 cheese, a mild and delicate blue cheese ripened with Choco 21 Liqueur, rubbed with cocoa, and decorated with chocolate chips. This combination may sound unusual, but it has been a hit in Australia, where it is sold by Curds and Whey.

Another way to enjoy blue cheese and chocolate together is in the form of truffles. Smokey Blue Cheese Truffles, for instance, blend the Rogue Creamery's Smokey Blue Cheese with dark chocolate and buttery ganache, finished with finely chopped almonds.

So, if you're feeling adventurous and want to try something new, why not give blue cheese and chocolate a go? It might just become your new favourite indulgent treat!

Blue cheese and wine

Blue cheese is a strong-flavoured cheese with a distinctive smell that people tend to either love or hate. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes, from salads to burgers, and even desserts.

When it comes to wine, blue cheese is often paired with dessert wines. The sweet and salty flavours of the cheese and wine create an irresistible combination, and the wine's acidity has a refreshing palate-cleansing effect. Some examples of wines that go well with blue cheese include:

• Port: A classic British pairing with Stilton, the bright blue berry and raspberry notes of an older vintage port balance the saltiness of the cheese while lifting its earthy notes.
• Sauternes: The honeyed quality of this wine softens the sharp, funky notes of the blue cheese, while its intense acidity cuts through the cheese's fatty creaminess.
• Ice wine: The piercing acidity of a well-balanced ice wine refreshes the palate and cuts through the dense cheese, while the concentrated sweet-fruit notes create an indulgent pairing.
• Pedro Ximénez Sherry: The chocolaty notes of this sweet, viscous sherry style counter the salty character of the blue cheese, while fig flavours complement its spicy accents.
• German Riesling Beerenauslese: The candied citrus, intense tropical notes, and striking acidity of these German dessert wines play off the creaminess of subtler blue cheeses.

For those who don't enjoy sweet wines, big reds are often suggested as a pairing for blue cheese. However, tannins can clash with the salt and spice of the cheese. Instead, look for low-tannin reds with good acidity, such as Pinot Noir or Syrah/Shiraz. Alternatively, a malt-forward beer or funky, high-acid Spanish cider can also be excellent choices to pair with blue cheese.

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