The Perfect Cheese Pairings For Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are a versatile ingredient that can add a burst of flavour to many dishes. They are often used in sandwiches, salads, pasta, and even as a topping for crostini. When it comes to cheese, there are several options that pair well with sun-dried tomatoes, enhancing their sweet and tangy taste. These include mozzarella, feta, goat cheese, fontina, gruyere, and parmesan.

Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Brie, or White Cheddar

Mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss, Brie, and White Cheddar are all excellent choices when it comes to pairing cheese with sun-dried tomatoes. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:

Mozzarella

A classic combination, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes create a delicious pairing that can be enjoyed in various dishes. One popular option is to create a pesto grilled cheese sandwich with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. The creamy, melted mozzarella pairs perfectly with the tangy tomatoes. Alternatively, you can try making pasta with sun-dried tomato pesto and fresh mozzarella pearls. This dish is quick, simple, and perfect for a weeknight supper or a vibrant pasta salad.

Gruyere

Gruyere is another cheese that goes well with sun-dried tomatoes. You can use it in a grilled cheese sandwich, or try something different like a sun-dried tomato and Gruyere bread. This type of bread combines the tangy flavour of sun-dried tomatoes with the nutty, slightly sweet flavour of Gruyere, resulting in a savoury and delectable treat.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is a versatile option that can be used in a variety of dishes with sun-dried tomatoes. One idea is to make a Swiss cheese and sun-dried tomato bread. The moist and savoury bread, with the tang of sun-dried tomatoes and the mild, nutty flavour of Swiss cheese, makes for a delightful combination.

Brie

For a show-stopping appetizer, try baked Brie topped with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and parsley. This simple recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare and is sure to impress your guests. The creamy, melted Brie pairs beautifully with the tangy tomatoes and aromatic garlic.

White Cheddar

White Cheddar is another excellent choice to pair with sun-dried tomatoes. Like mozzarella, it melts beautifully, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also experiment with other add-ins, such as fresh spinach, avocado, or roasted red peppers, to create a unique and flavourful sandwich.

Fontina or Gruyere

Fontina is a popular cheese to pair with sun-dried tomatoes. It is a great melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, and frittatas. Fontina has a mild, nutty flavour, which is complemented by the intense, sweet and salty flavour of sun-dried tomatoes.

Fontina is a good choice for a sun-dried tomato dish as it is a versatile cheese that is easy to cook with. It is also a good option for those who are not a fan of very strong cheeses, as it has a more subtle flavour.

Gruyere is another cheese that works well with sun-dried tomatoes. It is a Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet and salty flavour, which is often described as nutty. Gruyere is another good melting cheese, so it can be used in similar recipes to Fontina.

When choosing between Fontina and Gruyere, consider the other flavours in your dish. For example, if you are making a pizza with other toppings, the nuttiness of Gruyere may be a better pairing. However, if you are making a simpler dish, such as a grilled cheese sandwich, Fontina may be a better option as it has a milder flavour.

Feta and Mozzarella

Feta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Feta and sun-dried tomatoes is a classic combination that works well in a variety of dishes. Baked feta with sun-dried tomatoes is a simple dish that can be served as an appetizer with crostini or crackers. To make it, preheat your oven to 350°F and place a block of feta in an oven-safe dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Then, sprinkle with fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and oregano, along with grated garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Bake for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to overcook, as the feta will harden.

You can also make a delicious pasta dish by combining sun-dried tomatoes and feta. To make sun-dried tomato feta pasta, cook cavatappi pasta until al dente, reserving about a cup of the pasta water. In a large skillet, sauté shallots, garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Then, add in pesto, artichoke hearts, and julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in milk and pasta water, and stir in crumbled feta. Finally, add the pasta and toss until coated, adding more pasta water or milk if needed.

Mozzarella and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy, and mild-flavoured cheese that pairs well with sun-dried tomatoes in sandwiches, paninis, and pizzas. To make a grilled cheese sandwich with mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread and sun-dried tomato pesto on the other side. Place the bread, butter-side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Divide the mozzarella evenly over the bread, then top with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula. Cover with the remaining bread slices and cook until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is fully melted.

Mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes can also be combined in a sandwich with pesto. To make this sandwich, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread and pesto on the other side. Place the bread, butter-side down, in a skillet and top with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula. Cover with the remaining bread slices and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Goat Cheese

Sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese are a match made in heaven. This combination is perfect for appetizers, canapes, and crostinis. You can also serve them over cucumbers or endives for a lighter, more vegetarian dish.

Ingredients:

• Goat cheese
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
• Fresh basil, chopped
• Italian or French bread, sliced

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet and set aside. Drizzle olive oil on bread and dust with garlic powder. Bake in the oven for about 7 minutes or until toasted and crispy. Let it cool slightly, add goat cheese, and spread it on each piece of bread. Top it with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

You can also make a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato spread by blending goat cheese, garlic, shallot or green onion, and sun-dried tomatoes with their oil in a food processor. This spread can be used in sandwiches, stuffed grape tomatoes, or as a simple appetizer with radishes and cilantro.

Parmesan

When making a sun-dried tomato pesto, the addition of Parmesan brings a salty, nutty flavour to the dish. This pesto can be used as a spread for sandwiches, or tossed with pasta for a quick and easy meal.

In a sun-dried tomato pasta, Parmesan is often combined with whole milk, starchy pasta water, and sometimes heavy cream, to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. This sauce is then tossed with the pasta and sun-dried tomatoes, resulting in a well-rounded, flavourful dish.

The versatility of Parmesan extends beyond these two applications. It can also be used to make savoury crackers, adding a tangy, crunchy element to your meal.

When paired with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan provides a flavourful, salty contrast that enhances the overall taste experience. Its sharpness complements the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes, creating a well-balanced combination that delights the palate.

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