Cheese And Sardines: A Perfect Pairing Guide

Sardines are a versatile food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. While some people enjoy them straight out of the tin, others like to get creative with their sardine recipes. One popular way to enjoy sardines is on toast or in a sandwich, and the addition of cheese can take this simple dish to the next level. But what type of cheese goes well with sardines?

Goat's cheese, cream cheese and sardines on toast

Goats Cheese, Cream Cheese and Sardines on Toast

This simple, delicious, and entertaining appetizer is perfect for holiday parties and can be whipped up in just 13 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 8 1/2-inch thick slices of fresh baguette
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 can of King Oscar Brisling Sardines With Spicy Cracked Pepper, drained
• 2 TBSP plain goat cheese
• 2 TBSP plain cream cheese
• 4 sweet cherry peppers, sliced; stems removed
• Black pepper, for seasoning
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 400º F.
• Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch slices and place them on a baking sheet.
• Brush the baguette slices with olive oil and bake for 5-8 minutes, or until they're golden and toasted. Remove and let cool.
• Combine the goat cheese and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15 seconds, or until softened.
• Spread the goat cheese mixture evenly over each slice of baguette and season with black pepper.
• Top the baguette slices with sweet cherry pepper slices and a sardine fillet.
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve.

Tips:

• You can also toast the buttered baguette slices in a skillet. Simply place them in a hot cast iron pan and toast for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• For a variation, try using creamy whipped feta or stick with cream cheese instead of goat cheese.
• For extra flavour, add some grated parmesan cheese, or top with veggies like tomatoes, ribboned spinach, or caramelized onions.
• A drizzle of balsamic glaze or pesto will also enhance the flavour of these crunchy toasts!

Halloumi and sardines

Grilled Sardines with Halloumi and Mint

For a refreshing take on grilled sardines, try this recipe from Australian Gourmet Traveller. Start by seasoning fresh sardines with sea salt and chilli flakes, then grill them to perfection. For the halloumi, thickly slice and grill until golden, adding a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Serve the sardines and halloumi together on a plate, garnished with freshly chopped mint and coriander, and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, as sardines are rich in minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and B12.

Spanish Sardines Pasta Salad

This flavourful dish combines Spanish sardines, rocket salad, radishes, sweet peppers, parsley, lemon, chilli flakes, and of course, halloumi. It's a quick and easy meal perfect for a simple lunch or a potluck gathering. Simply cook your pasta al dente, chop your desired ingredients, and mix everything together. This salad is versatile and can be customised with various crudites or ingredients from your fridge. It's a tasty and nutritious option, as sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.

Sardine and Halloumi Cheese Board

Impress your guests with a unique cheese board that includes sardines and halloumi. Start by preparing an herb yogurt dip by mixing Greek yogurt with lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh herbs like dill and parsley, garlic powder, and black pepper. Include a variety of cheeses such as sharp cheddar, gouda, and halloumi, along with fruits, vegetables, crackers, and pretzel rods. Don't forget to add a can of sardines, either directly on the board or flaked in a small bowl. This combination of flavours and textures will surely be a crowd-pleaser.

Sardine Toast Appetizer with Halloumi

For a simple yet elegant appetiser, try this sardine toast recipe. Start by toasting slices of baguette and spreading them with a mixture of softened halloumi and cream cheese. Top the toasts with slices of sweet cherry peppers, a sardine fillet, and freshly chopped parsley. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to impress your guests. You can also add extra veggies like tomatoes, spinach, or caramelised onions for a more wholesome bite.

Sardines with mature cheddar

While some people enjoy having sardines with cheese, others believe that it is a "clash of flavours". However, mature cheddar is one of the cheeses that is often mentioned in discussions about what cheese goes well with sardines. Here are some ideas for how you could incorporate mature cheddar into a dish with sardines:

Sardine Toast Appetizer

This recipe is simple and great for entertaining. It only requires seven ingredients and a few minutes to prepare. First, slice a French baguette into 1/2-inch slices and place them on a baking sheet. Brush the slices with olive oil and toast them in the oven for 5-8 minutes, or until they are golden. While the bread is toasting, mix together equal parts of goat cheese and cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about 15 seconds, or until it is softened enough to spread easily. Spread the cheese mixture on the toasted baguette slices, then add some black pepper, slices of sweet cherry peppers, and a sardine fillet on top. Finally, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve.

Sardine and Cream Cheese Rillettes

This recipe is a twist on the traditional French rillettes, which are similar to a pâté and usually made with pork. To make the sardine and cream cheese rillettes, combine two cans of drained sardines, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, parsley, and pink peppercorns in a bowl and mash with a fork until it turns into a paste with small chunks. In a separate bowl, mash together room-temperature cream cheese and lemon juice until smooth. Combine the two mixtures until smooth, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Chill the mixture for at least two hours before serving. To serve, spread about a tablespoon of the rillettes on toasted baguette slices and top with a cornichon, pink peppercorns, and a parsley leaf.

Sardine Sandwich

This recipe is a twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich. First, toast your choice of bread. Mix together drained sardines and mayonnaise in a bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste. Spread the sardine mixture on the toast, then add sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced sharp cheddar cheese on top. Broil the sandwich for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sardine Cheese Board

This idea is perfect for entertaining and can be customised to your liking. The key component is a can of sardines, which adds a touch of richness and savouriness to the cheese board. Some suggested ingredients to include are: sharp cheddar or gouda cheese, fruit preserves, fresh fruit, nuts, olives, whole grain crackers, pretzel rods, sliced cucumber, sliced radishes, and of course, sardines. Don't forget to set out some knives, toothpicks, small plates, and napkins for your guests.

Sardines with feta or halloumi on crackers

While some people may not like the combination of cheese and sardines, there are indeed several types of cheese that go well with sardines. Feta and halloumi are two such cheeses that can be paired with sardines and enjoyed on crackers.

Feta is a Greek brined curd cheese that is tangy and salty in taste. It is often crumbled and used as a topping or filling for dishes such as pastries and salads. Halloumi, on the other hand, is a semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese with a rubbery texture. It has a high melting point, making it suitable for grilling or frying.

For a tasty snack, try spreading some feta cheese on crackers and topping it with sardines. You can also grill or fry halloumi slices and place them on crackers with sardines for a delicious and satisfying bite.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make a sardine and cream cheese rillettes. Rillettes is a French dish similar to a pâté, often made with pork that is slowly cooked in fat and then shredded. In this case, you would mix sardines, black pepper, salt, parsley, and pink peppercorns with cream cheese and lemon juice to create a smooth paste. Spread this mixture on crackers for an elegant and tasty treat.

Additionally, goat cheese is another option that pairs well with sardines on crackers. You can even add some veggies, such as tomatoes, ribboned spinach, or caramelized onions, to take your snack to the next level.

Sardines with grilled halloumi

Grilled halloumi is a delicious pairing with sardines. Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese with a distinctive salty flavour and a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling. Here are some mouth-watering ways to serve sardines with grilled halloumi:

Sardine and Halloumi Salad

Grilled sardines and halloumi slices make a tasty addition to a salad. Try combining them with mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a zesty vinaigrette. For an extra flavour boost, add some fresh herbs like basil or parsley.

Grilled Sardine and Halloumi Sandwich

Layer grilled sardines and halloumi between slices of crusty bread, such as sourdough or a baguette. Add some sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and a drizzle of olive oil or mayonnaise for a hearty and satisfying sandwich.

Sardine and Halloumi Skewers

Thread sardine fillets and cubes of halloumi onto skewers, alternating with chunks of colourful vegetables like peppers, onions, and aubergine. Grill until the sardines are cooked and the halloumi is golden and slightly charred. Serve with a dip of your choice, such as tzatziki or houmous.

Halloumi-Crusted Sardines

For a unique twist, use grated halloumi as a coating for your sardines. Dip the sardine fillets in beaten egg, then coat them with the grated halloumi. Place them on a greased baking tray and grill until the cheese is melted and golden. Serve with lemon wedges and a side of your choice, such as roasted vegetables or a green salad.

Sardine and Halloumi Platter

Create a Mediterranean-inspired platter with grilled sardines, halloumi slices, olives, houmous, pitta bread, and a selection of fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Drizzle the sardines and halloumi with a little olive oil and lemon juice for added flavour.

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