Cheese Pairings For Raspberry Vinaigrette: A Guide

Raspberry vinaigrette is a fruity and sweet vinaigrette that goes well with a variety of cheeses, including goat cheese, blue cheese, and feta. The sweetness of the vinaigrette balances the tanginess of these cheeses, creating a delicious combination that can be enjoyed on a variety of salads or as a dressing for other dishes. For those who prefer a creamier option, gorgonzola cheese is also a good choice, as it adds a rich and tangy flavour to the dish.

Raspberry vinaigrette with goat cheese

Raspberry Vinaigrette Ingredients:

The key ingredients in a classic raspberry vinaigrette include raspberry vinegar, olive oil or vegetable oil, honey, Dijon mustard, shallots, salt, and pepper. Fresh or frozen raspberries can also be blended into the vinaigrette for a more intense raspberry flavour.

Goat Cheese Pairings:

When combining goat cheese with raspberry vinaigrette, consider using dark, leafy greens such as spinach or mixed greens as the base for your salad. The heartiness of these greens complements the creamy goat cheese and fruity vinaigrette.

To add texture and crunch to your salad, include nuts like pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts. You can also add sliced radishes for an extra crunch. Fresh or dried berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, not only enhance the raspberry flavour in the vinaigrette but also provide a beautiful pop of colour.

Recipe for Raspberry Vinaigrette:

To make the raspberry vinaigrette, simply combine the raspberry vinegar, oil, honey, Dijon mustard, shallots, salt, and pepper in a small sealable container. Shake vigorously to blend, ensuring the honey doesn't stick to the bottom. Alternatively, you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, slowly drizzling in the oil until emulsified.

Salad Assembly:

In a large bowl, combine your chosen greens, berries, and nuts. Add the vinaigrette a little at a time, tossing until the greens are well-coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Finally, sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the top of your salad and serve.

Variations and Customisations:

You can customise this combination by substituting blue cheese or feta for the goat cheese if you prefer a stronger flavour profile. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, to find your favourite variation.

For a keto-friendly option, use spring greens as your base and add prosciutto, walnuts, and raspberries. This variation provides a savoury contrast to the sweet and tangy vinaigrette.

Remember, the key to a successful pairing of raspberry vinaigrette and goat cheese is balancing the sweet, tangy, and creamy elements to create a delightful sensory experience.

Raspberry vinaigrette with blue cheese

Choosing the Right Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is made by adding cultures to warm milk and then ageing it to encourage the growth of a type of mould called Penicillium roqueforti. Depending on how it's aged, blue cheese can range from lush and creamy to dry and crumbly, and its flavour can be tangy, sharp, mellow, or nutty. When pairing blue cheese with raspberry vinaigrette, opt for a creamy or fudgy variety to contrast the tangy vinaigrette. If you're unsure, ask a cheesemonger for recommendations.

Salad Suggestions

A spinach salad with fresh berries, pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette is a stunning and tasty combination. The sweetness of the berries and the tangy vinaigrette complement each other beautifully. For an extra burst of flavour, add some crumbled blue cheese. To keep the cheese in nice chunks, crumble it over the salad after tossing. You can also try a baby greens salad with pears and pine nuts, drizzled with the vinaigrette.

Pasta Salad

For a unique and tasty dish, try a blue cheese pasta salad with a raspberry vinaigrette. Use a short pasta shape like Cavatappi or penne to ensure you get a good portion of all the ingredients in each bite. For the blue cheese, go for a creamy variety like Gorgonzola. Add in some candied walnuts, zucchini, tomatoes, and red onion for a colourful and flavourful dish.

Customising Your Vinaigrette

When making your raspberry vinaigrette, you can add a few extra ingredients to enhance the flavour. Try adding some diced shallots, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to give it a kick. You can also use red wine vinegar instead of raspberry vinegar for a more subtle raspberry flavour. If you like your vinaigrette on the sweeter side, add a touch of honey.

Raspberry vinaigrette with feta cheese

Raspberry Pecan Feta Salad:

This salad is a delightful mix of textures and flavours. Start with a bed of spring mix or red leaf lettuce. Top it with sliced ripe avocado, fresh raspberries, caramelized or candied pecans, and crumbled feta cheese. To make the candied pecans, heat granulated sugar in a non-stick skillet over low heat until it melts and turns caramel-coloured. Be careful not to stir the sugar! Once it's melted, quickly stir in the pecans to coat them evenly. Allow them to cool, then break them into bite-sized pieces. Finally, drizzle the salad with a homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

Spinach Salad with Berries and Feta:

This salad is a refreshing option, combining the sweetness of berries with the salty tang of feta. Start with a base of baby spinach and add in sliced strawberries, blueberries, and toasted pecans. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top. For the vinaigrette, combine raspberry vinegar, vegetable oil, honey, Dijon mustard, shallots, salt, and pepper in a small container and shake vigorously to blend. Alternatively, whisk the ingredients while slowly drizzling in the oil. Drizzle the desired amount of vinaigrette over the salad and toss until the greens are well-coated.

Feta Vinaigrette:

For a unique twist, you can even make a vinaigrette with feta cheese as the star ingredient. This creamy dressing is perfect for summer and goes well with green salads, grain bowls, pasta salads, or drizzled over grilled meats. In a blender or food processor, combine feta cheese, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, dried oregano, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Process until well combined and adjust the amounts to suit your taste preferences.

Other Combinations:

You can also experiment with adding other ingredients to your raspberry vinaigrette and feta cheese creations. Some options include romaine lettuce, bacon, red onion, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts. Additionally, you can play around with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or raspberry wine vinegar, to find the flavour that suits you best.

So, get creative and enjoy the delicious pairing of raspberry vinaigrette with feta cheese!

Raspberry vinaigrette with gorgonzola cheese

Ingredients

For a raspberry vinaigrette, you will need:

• Fresh or frozen raspberries
• Olive oil or canola oil
• Red wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• Honey (optional)
• Shallots (optional)

For the salad:

• Spinach
• Gorgonzola cheese
• Additional toppings of your choice (e.g. pecans, walnuts, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries)

Instructions

To make the vinaigrette, simply blend all the ingredients together in a food processor or blender. You can adjust the measurements to your taste preferences, and add honey or shallots if you like a sweeter dressing.

For the salad, start by washing and drying your spinach leaves. In a large bowl, combine the spinach leaves with your desired toppings, including the gorgonzola cheese. You can also add in some fresh raspberries to tie the flavours together.

Once your salad is assembled, drizzle your desired amount of raspberry vinaigrette on top. Toss the salad gently to coat the leaves and ingredients with the dressing.

This salad is a wonderful side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. Enjoy!

Raspberry vinaigrette with candied walnuts

To make the vinaigrette, simply toss all the ingredients into a food processor and blend for about 30 seconds—it's that easy! You can also add a teaspoon of honey to balance the acidity and a small clove of garlic instead of shallots for a subtle kick.

For a delicious summer salad, pair this vinaigrette with baby spinach, grilled chicken, fresh berries like strawberries and blueberries, and of course, candied walnuts. To make the candied walnuts, heat a saucepan over medium heat and add walnuts, butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar melts and coats the walnuts. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet to cool, and you're done!

Now, for the cheese. A tangy cheese like goat cheese, blue cheese, or feta is the perfect complement to the sweet and tangy raspberry vinaigrette. Crumble the cheese over the salad after tossing to keep it in nice chunks.

So, there you have it—a refreshing summer salad with raspberry vinaigrette, candied walnuts, and tangy cheese. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions