Bread And Cheese: Perfect Pairing For Every Palate

Bread and cheese are two of the world's most beloved foods, and when paired together, they create a delicious combination that has been enjoyed for centuries. While there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a cheese to go with your bread, some pairings are more classic and complementary than others. From the simple pleasure of a grilled cheese sandwich made with white sandwich bread and medium cheddar to the more sophisticated combination of a baguette with brie, the options are vast and varied.

Cinnamon raisin bread with goat cheese

To make this combination even more indulgent, consider adding some sliced almonds and a drizzle of honey. The almonds will provide a satisfying crunch, while the honey will enhance the sweetness of the bread and create a delicious glaze.

If you're feeling extra creative, you can turn this combination into a grilled cheese sandwich. Simply spread a generous amount of goat cheese on each slice of cinnamon raisin bread, add your desired toppings, and grill it on a skillet until the bread is golden and the cheese is soft. The warmth from grilling will also help bring out the cinnamon and raisin flavours, creating an even more decadent experience.

For a bakery-style loaf of cinnamon raisin bread, you can try this simple no-knead recipe:

• Combine 1 ½ cups of warm water with 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast and let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
• In a large bowl, mix 3 cups of bread flour, ¾ cup of golden raisins, 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of Kosher salt. You can adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to your taste preferences.
• Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a craggy dough forms.
• Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 2-3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
• Preheat your oven to 450ºF and place a Dutch oven inside to heat up as well.
• Shape the dough into a smooth ball by gently folding it onto itself a few times on a lightly floured surface.
• Place the dough ball on a piece of parchment paper, cover it, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
• Remove the preheated Dutch oven and place the dough with the parchment paper inside. Make a slash on the top of the dough with a sharp knife or bread lame tool.
• Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
• Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Ciabatta and Parmesan

A simple yet delicious way to enjoy this combination is to make a Ciabatta Salami and Parmesan sandwich. Start by drizzling extra virgin olive oil over your ciabatta. Then, layer on thin slices of good-quality, hard imported salami, followed by thin slices of Parmesan cheese—grated cheese just won't do! Finish with another drizzle of olive oil and enjoy. This sandwich is best served fresh, so it's important to only add the olive oil when you're ready to eat.

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, why not try Ciabatta Garlic Bread with Parmesan? This comforting dish is easy to make and packed with flavour. Simply combine softened butter with garlic, parsley, thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese. Slice a ciabatta loaf into 2cm slices, without cutting through the base, and spread the butter mixture between the slices. Wrap the loaf in aluminium foil and bake until crispy. For an extra crunch, open the foil to expose the top of the loaf towards the end of the baking process.

For a heartier meal, Ciabatta and Parmesan can be the base for a satisfying soup and sandwich combination. Try pairing a warm bowl of roasted tomato soup with a Ciabatta and Parmesan sandwich. To make the soup, roast Roma tomatoes, onion, and garlic with dried basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Blend with chicken broth and heat in a pot. Stir in some heavy cream and serve with your Parmesan Ciabatta sandwich. This is the perfect comfort food for a cold day.

Sourdough and cheddar

When making a sourdough and cheddar loaf, it is important to use a healthy starter and to have overall experience as a bread baker. The recipe requires minimal mixing, which is often the worst part of making sourdough. This recipe is absolutely doable with a spatula rather than your hands, which can be unideal if you have dry hands or painted nails. There is also some flexibility with this recipe. For example, you can use your oven to build the levain and for the bulk fermentation, or you can use the counter, which takes longer but requires less rigid watching and timing.

When it comes to the cheese, it is important to choose a cheddar that is not too small or too large. Sharp cheddar is often the best choice as its flavour does not disappear into the bread. However, any cheese you like can be used. It is also important to pat dry any soft cheeses before adding them to the dough, as they can be a little wet.

When shaping the loaf, it is important to be gentle as the added cheese can make the skin easier to break. The dough should be shaped into a rough ball or oval shape, and it does not need to have a "taut" surface. The dough needs to be rolled very tightly so that the cheese doesn't fall out. If the dough is too warm, it may be difficult to roll, so it can be placed in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to cool it down.

Finally, it is important to note that this bread should not be stored in the fridge as it will become hard. Instead, it can be stored at room temperature in a bread bag, wrapped in a kitchen towel, or covered with a dome of a cake stand. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Bagel and cream cheese

Bagels and cream cheese are a popular food pairing, especially in the United States, where they are a staple of American Jewish cuisine and New York City cuisine. This combination is typically served sliced horizontally, with the cream cheese spread on one side and other toppings added. While the basic form of this pairing is simply a bagel with cream cheese, there are numerous ways to enhance this classic duo.

One way to elevate a bagel and cream cheese is to fry the bagel in olive oil before spreading on the cream cheese. This adds a golden, crispy texture that complements the dense dough of the bagel. Another way to enhance the cream cheese itself is to mix in roasted garlic and fresh herbs such as basil and chives, adding a new layer of flavour to the spread.

When it comes to toppings, there are a variety of options to choose from, both savoury and sweet. For a savoury bagel, popular toppings include lox, sliced red onion, capers, dill, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, sprouts, and sliced cheese. These toppings can be combined in different ways to create unique flavour profiles. For example, adding lox, red onion, capers, dill, and jalapeno jam for a combination of spice and sweetness.

If you're craving something sweet, you can top your bagel with blueberry jam, honey, or even fresh strawberries. A blueberry bagel with cream cheese and blueberry jam is a particularly popular choice for a sweet option.

The versatility of bagels and cream cheese lies in the ability to customise and combine different toppings to suit your taste preferences. Whether you stick to the classic combination or experiment with various toppings, bagels and cream cheese remain a beloved and convenient breakfast or brunch option.

Focaccia and goat cheese

Focaccia is a traditional Italian bread made with flour, yeast, and oil. It is crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. It can be eaten on its own or used as sandwich bread. Its versatility also extends to it being served as an appetizer, a side, or a snack.

Goat cheese is a perfect companion to focaccia. Its tangy, salty, and creamy flavour pairs beautifully with the bread. The combination of focaccia and goat cheese creates a delicious and indulgent treat.

When making a goat cheese focaccia, it is important to note that the dough requires time to rise properly. The process typically involves an initial rise at room temperature, followed by refrigeration for a slower rise. This ensures a well-developed flavour and texture in the final product.

For a simple yet mouthwatering goat cheese focaccia, the following ingredients are needed:

• Warm water
• All-purpose flour
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse sea salt
• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh thyme
• Goat cheese

The preparation and cooking time for this dish is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including the rising time. The dough is prepared by combining the dry ingredients, then adding water and olive oil. After the initial rise, the dough is placed in the refrigerator. Once ready, the dough is shaped, covered in olive oil, and left to rise again. It is then baked in the oven, resulting in a delicious focaccia with a crispy exterior and chewy interior.

For a flavourful twist, additional toppings can be added to the focaccia before baking. Sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions are excellent choices to enhance the flavour profile.

Frequently asked questions