Cheese Pairing Perfection With Duck Confit: The Best Matches

Duck confit is a beloved, age-old French dish, where duck legs are slow-cooked in duck fat until the meat is tender and the skin is golden and crisp. This indulgent dish is often served with decadent, starchy sides. While duck confit is a delicious meal on its own, adding cheese to the mix can take it to the next level. But what type of cheese goes well with duck confit?

Goat's cheese salad as a starter

A goat's cheese salad is a classic French starter, found in bistros across France. The warm goat's cheese salad, or 'Salade de Chêvre Chaud', is a fresh leaf salad with nuts and bacon, topped with pan-fried goat's cheese medallions. The cheese is golden and crispy on the outside, and soft and oozy on the inside.

The key to this dish is to use a ripened goat's cheese with a rind and a creamy centre that melts when heated. Suitable cheeses include Crottin de Chavignol, Crottin des Deux-Sèvres, Crottin de Champcol, Picandou, Pico Affine, Chabichou du Poitou, Le Chabichou d'Antan, and Holy Goat La Luna.

To make the salad, you will need to toast some nuts and cook the bacon. The dressing is typically made with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. The goat's cheese is crumbed and pan-fried, and then placed on top of the salad just before serving, so that the cheese is still warm and melting.

For a twist on this classic, you could try grilling the goat's cheese on slices of baguette and serving it on the side, or adding ingredients such as beetroot, honey, or Parma ham.

Crispy Peking duck grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 slices thick Asian milk bread or other high-quality soft white bread
• 1 tablespoon softened butter
• 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
• 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
• 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
• A pinch of five-spice powder
• 4 slices Gruyère or cheddar cheese
• 6 ounces cooked duck with crispy skin (sliced)
• 4 thin cucumber slices
• 4 thin, crisp cantaloupe slices

Optional Ingredients:

• Radish slices
• Swiss cheese

Instructions:

• Take each slice of bread and spread ½ tablespoon of butter on each.
• Make the green onion hoisin spread by combining the mayonnaise, green onion, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder in a small bowl.
• Spread the mixture on the other side of each slice of bread.
• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place one of the bread slices in the pan, butter-side down.
• Top it with the rest of the ingredients in the following order: the cheese, the duck, the cucumber, and the cantaloupe.
• Top the sandwich with the remaining slice of bread, butter-side up.
• Grill in the skillet until the bottom is lightly browned and the cheese begins to melt.
• Carefully flip the sandwich over and gently press with your spatula. Grill the other side until the bread is golden and the cheese is gooey.
• Slice your Crispy Peking Duck Grilled Cheese Sandwich in half and enjoy!

Tips:

• The duck for this recipe can be bought already prepared from an Asian grocer or made easily at home by searing a skin-on duck breast.
• If you want to add a little extra crunch to your sandwich, try adding a few thin slices of radish.
• For cheese, you can use a combination of Gruyère and cheddar, or Swiss cheese.
• This sandwich is best served hot and fresh off the grill, but if you have any leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cheese Pairings with Duck:

When pairing cheese with duck, it's important to consider the unique flavour profile of duck, which has a milder sweetness and creamier fat than pork, as well as a gamy flavour. Here are some cheese pairing suggestions:

• Washed rind cheeses, such as Murray's Greensward or Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere, complement the smoky flavour of smoked duck.
• Milder cheeses like Gorgonzola Dolce or Cremificato pair well with the sweetness of duck.
• Sharper sheep's milk cheeses like Roncal, Manchego, or aged pecorinos go well with duck prosciutto, balancing its dryness.

Grilled duck sandwiches are a unique and delicious way to enjoy duck, and the addition of cheese only elevates the flavours. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses and ingredients to find your perfect combination!

Gorgonzola, Parmesan, and Pepper Jack Cheese

Duck confit is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of cheeses to enhance its flavour. Here, we'll explore three types of cheese: Gorgonzola, Parmesan, and Pepper Jack, and provide detailed suggestions for each.

Gorgonzola Cheese

Gorgonzola is a strong-flavoured, veined blue cheese that can add a creamy and pungent dimension to duck confit. When pairing Gorgonzola with duck confit, consider using it as a topping or incorporating it into a sauce. The rich, salty flavour of Gorgonzola can complement the duck's savouriness, creating a decadent and indulgent dish. This combination is ideal for those who enjoy bold and intense flavours.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a classic choice for duck confit and can elevate the dish in several ways. Its sharp, nutty flavour and granular texture make it a versatile ingredient. Finely grated Parmesan can be sprinkled over duck confit to add a subtle salty note, or it can be mixed into a breadcrumb coating for a crispy, savoury contrast. Additionally, Parmesan can be incorporated into a creamy sauce to accompany the duck, adding depth of flavour and a silky texture.

Pepper Jack Cheese

Pepper Jack cheese, with its creamy texture and spicy kick, offers an exciting contrast to the richness of duck confit. The heat from the peppers adds a unique dimension to the dish, creating a delightful interplay of flavours. Pepper Jack cheese can be melted over the duck confit, providing a spicy twist. Alternatively, it can be incorporated into a sauce or used as a filling for a stuffed duck confit dish. This pairing is perfect for those who enjoy a touch of spice and adventure in their meals.

When choosing the cheese to pair with duck confit, consider the overall flavour profile you wish to achieve. Each cheese will contribute its unique characteristics, enhancing the duck confit in different ways. Experimenting with these cheeses and finding the perfect balance will allow you to create a truly memorable culinary experience.

Manchego, Roncal, or aged pecorinos

When it comes to duck confit, you can't go wrong with Manchego, Roncal, or aged pecorinos. These sheep's milk cheeses will add a rich and buttery dimension to your meal.

Manchego, a Spanish staple, is known for its distinctive herringbone rind and sweet, nutty, and tangy flavour. It is produced in the La Mancha region of central Spain, specifically in the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, and Toledo. The cheese's texture varies from semi-soft to firmer and crumbly, depending on its aging time, which can range from 30 days to 2 years. Young Manchego, or "Fresco," has a mild, milky, and grassy flavour, while aged Manchego, or "Viejo," offers a deeper, zestier taste.

Roncal, another Spanish sheep's milk cheese, is a great alternative to Manchego. It is produced in the same region as Manchego and has a similar flavour profile, with a firm texture.

Pecorino, an Italian sheep's milk cheese, is also a wonderful option. Like Manchego, its texture and flavour vary depending on aging time, from semi-soft to harder and more flavourful. If you're looking for a mature, hard cheese to grate over your duck confit, go for an older Pecorino.

These cheeses will beautifully complement the flavours of duck confit, adding depth and richness to your dining experience.

Washed rind, such as Murray's Greensward or Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere

Washed-rind cheeses, such as Murray's Greensward or Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere, are an excellent pairing with duck confit. These cheeses have a subtle smokiness that complements the duck's gamy flavour, while their vegetal notes add an interesting contrast.

Murray's Cheese in New York City is a renowned cheese shop that offers a wide variety of cheeses, including washed-rind options like Greensward. Birney, the buying manager and resident meat expert at Murray's Cheese, recommends these types of cheeses for their ability to stand up to the bold flavour of duck.

When choosing a washed-rind cheese to pair with duck confit, consider the following:

• Flavour: Look for cheeses with a hint of smokiness, as this will enhance the duck's flavour.
• Texture: Washed-rind cheeses tend to have a creamy texture, which can complement the duck's creaminess.
• Accompaniments: Consider serving the cheese with some accoutrements, such as crackers, nuts, or fruit, to add different flavours and textures to your dish.

By selecting a washed-rind cheese like Murray's Greensward or Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere, you can elevate your duck confit dish and create a delicious and memorable culinary experience.

Frequently asked questions