Focaccia's Best Friend: Cheeses That Complement The Bread

Focaccia is a flat, fluffy, oven-baked Italian bread with a texture and flavour similar to pizza dough. It is typically topped with herbs, olive oil, and salt, and pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

While almost any cheese will go well with focaccia, some varieties are considered a better fit. Italian cheeses are a natural choice, and the classic sea salt and rosemary focaccia is a good base for stronger cheeses like gorgonzola or provolone. Fresh mozzarella is another good match, especially when served with tomato and basil to highlight the creamy cheese and fresh bread. Parmesan, or parmigiano-reggiano, is another classic pairing, and ricotta with honey makes a great breakfast option. Feta is a good choice for those who want something lighter, and goat's cheese is another option for those who want something creamy and spreadable.

Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Feta

Mozzarella is a semi-soft, fatty cow's cheese first produced in Italy during the Roman period. It is known for its elastic and smooth structure and is often used on pizzas. Its mild lactic taste makes it a perfect pair for many dishes. When paired with focaccia, it is best served warm, with toppings such as tomato, basil, and balsamic vinegar to highlight the creamy cheese and fresh bread.

Parmesan is a hard and aromatic cow's cheese that dates back to the 13th century when it was first produced in the region of Parma. It has a complex and lengthy production process, requiring up to 16 litres of milk to produce just 1 kilogram of cheese. Its flavour is intense and rich, with fruity notes, and a crumbly texture. When serving with focaccia, it is best to slice it thinly or grate it to avoid an overpowering bite.

Feta is a traditional Greek soft cheese, made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk. It has a rich flavour and a slightly salty taste due to being preserved in brine. There are two types: a soft one that is less salty and has a fuller taste, and a hard one that is more intense and saltier. Feta is often used in Mediterranean cuisine and is ideal for salads. When paired with focaccia, feta can be crumbled on top alongside vegetables, or baked into the bread to create creamy pockets.

For a simple yet tasty focaccia recipe, try this: mix flour, dried yeast, salt, chopped rosemary, grated Parmesan, and olive oil in a food processor. Add water and mix until you have a soft dough. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, then form it into a ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl, brush the top with oil, cover, and let it rise. Afterwards, roll out the dough, place it in a baking tray, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and let it rise again. Finally, bake until the focaccia is golden brown. You can then add toppings such as sliced mozzarella, Parma ham, and rocket leaves, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Cheddar, Asiago, or Gouda

Cheddar, Asiago, and Gouda are all excellent choices to pair with focaccia.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a popular choice for focaccia, as it adds a sharp and creamy flavour to the bread. It can be grated and sprinkled on top of the dough before baking, or sliced and added to a focaccia sandwich. For an extra kick of flavour, try pairing cheddar focaccia with a pot of chili or some sandwich meat and veggies.

Asiago

Asiago is a great cheese to use if you're looking for a more intense, savoury flavour. Asiago cheese focaccia is a classic Italian combination and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as sandwiches, pizzas, or served with marinara sauce, soup, or salad. This type of focaccia is especially good for soaking up sauces and soups.

Gouda

Gouda is a mild and nutty cheese that would pair well with focaccia. It has a similar texture and flavour profile to Asiago, so it can be used in similar ways. Try sprinkling grated gouda over your focaccia dough before baking, or melting sliced gouda on top of a warm slice of focaccia.

All three of these cheeses can be used in combination with other cheeses and ingredients to create unique and delicious focaccia recipes. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!

Ricotta and honey

Start with a good-quality, whole milk ricotta—the fresher, the better. Whip the ricotta with a mixer until it's light and creamy. You can also add some lemon zest, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to taste. Spread this mixture on your focaccia and drizzle with honey. If you want to get even more creative, you can top your focaccia with fresh fruit, such as apples and figs, before adding the ricotta and honey.

This combination makes for a delicious breakfast or a sweet treat and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next get-together!

Salty cheeses like Feta or Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a strong Italian blue cheese that pairs surprisingly well with focaccia. Crumble the cheese on top of your focaccia and try eating it with figs or sweet jelly to balance out the saltiness of the cheese.

If you want to get creative, you can also stuff your focaccia with feta or gorgonzola. Simply divide your focaccia dough in half, layer on your desired fillings (including the cheese), and then place the second layer of dough on top. This creates an instant sandwich with the fillings baked right inside.

Additionally, if you're looking for a dip to pair with your focaccia, consider a creamy whipped feta dip. This salty, cheesy, fluffy spread is amazing with focaccia and can be easily prepared by blending the ingredients in a food processor.

Creamy Whipped Feta Dip

Ingredients:

• Feta Cheese: Use a block of good-quality feta cheese that has been stored in brine. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, as it tends to be too dry and salty.
• Greek Yogurt: Use whole milk Greek yogurt for a smooth and creamy dip. It balances the saltiness of the feta while adding a tangy flavour.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This adds a fruity depth of flavour and helps create a silky, rich texture.
• Lemon: Use either lemon juice or lemon zest to add brightness and a zesty flavour to the dip.
• Garlic: Minced or granulated garlic gives the dip a savoury bite.

Optional Ingredients:

• Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, parsley, or oregano can be added for bright and fresh flavours.
• Spices: Black pepper, red pepper flakes, or Aleppo pepper can add a spicy kick.
• Nuts: Toasted pine nuts or crushed pistachios can be added for texture and crunch.

Instructions:

• Combine the feta, Greek yogurt, lemon zest (if using), and garlic in a food processor.
• Blend until smooth, gradually drizzling in the olive oil while the processor is running.
• For an even smoother texture, pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind that feta is already quite salty.
• Transfer the dip to a serving dish and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, herbs, spices, and nuts (if using).
• Serve with focaccia, pita chips, pita bread, or fresh vegetables.

This dip can be made in just a few minutes and is perfect for parties or gatherings. It can also be used as a spread on sandwiches or toast, or as a base for roasted vegetables. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions