The Perfect Pair: Swiss Cheese's Complementary Companions

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient with a rich, creamy flavour and a nutty, bittersweet taste. It is commonly used in sandwiches, burgers, and casseroles, but there are many other ways to incorporate it into your meals. Here are some ideas for what cheese goes well with Swiss cheese.

Swiss cheese in French onion soup

French onion soup is a classic, comforting dish that's perfect for chilly days. And what's better than topping it off with melted Swiss cheese? Here's a recipe for a mouthwatering Swiss cheese French onion soup that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter
• Yellow onions (or a mix of white, red, and sweet onions)
• Garlic
• Low-sodium beef broth
• Low-sodium chicken broth (or chicken stock)
• Red wine (or more broth)
• Worcestershire sauce
• Balsamic vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Bay leaf
• French bread
• Olive oil
• Gruyere or Swiss cheese
• Mozzarella cheese (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Start by caramelizing the onions. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, add thinly sliced onions, and sauté for about 10 minutes until softened. Reduce the heat to medium, add salt and sugar, and cook for another 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and syrupy. Add minced garlic and cook for a minute more.

Next, deglaze the pot by pouring in red wine and scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the beef and chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer the soup for about 20 minutes, then discard the herbs and stir in the vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

While the soup is simmering, prepare the bread. Cut French bread into 1-inch thick slices, brush both sides with olive oil, and toast in the oven until golden.

Now it's time to assemble! Ladle the hot soup into oven-safe bowls, top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread, and sprinkle with shredded Swiss cheese (and mozzarella and Parmesan, if desired). Place the bowls under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.

Tips and Variations:

• For vegetarian French onion soup, replace the beef and chicken broth with vegetable stock and use vegan Worcestershire sauce.
• If you don't have oven-safe bowls, skip the broiling step and serve the soup with cheese toasts or croutons on the side.
• To make the soup in a slow cooker, cook the onions, garlic, and broth on low for 8-10 hours, then proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed.
• For an extra-special touch, serve the soup in traditional French onion soup bowls—ceramic crocks that can withstand high heat and are sized just right to hold the perfect ratio of soup to cheese.

Swiss cheese fondue

Fondue is a great way to make use of Swiss cheese. The dish is said to have originated in Switzerland as a way to feed families inexpensively, and it became so popular that it was named the national dish of Switzerland in the 1930s.

A classic Swiss fondue is made with a mix of Swiss cheeses and white wine. You will need the following ingredients:

• Garlic clove
• Dry white wine
• Lemon juice
• Cornstarch
• Gruyere cheese
• Emmentaler cheese
• Appenzeller cheese (optional)
• Kirsch
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• White pepper

First, rub the inside of a heavy-bottomed pot or a fondue pot with a garlic clove, then discard the garlic. Next, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese and cornstarch in batches, being careful not to boil the cheese. Make sure the cheese is fully melted and incorporated before adding the next batch. Once all the cheese has been added, stir in the kirsch and seasonings. Serve immediately with accompaniments of your choice.

Fondue is typically served communally, with people dipping bread, meat, potatoes, sliced fruit, or vegetables into the pot using long-stemmed forks. It is customary for the person who loses their garnish in the pot to pay a penalty, such as buying a round of drinks or cleaning up after the meal. The layer of cheese at the bottom of the pot that cooks into a crust is called a religieuse and is eaten at the end of the meal.

Swiss cheese and crackers

Choosing the Right Crackers

Select crackers that complement the flavour and texture of Swiss cheese. Look for crackers that are relatively neutral in flavour so they don't overpower the cheese. Water crackers, for example, have a light, crisp texture and a subtle taste that won't compete with the cheese. You could also try rice crackers, which have a similar texture but with a slightly sweeter flavour.

Adding Accompaniments

For a simple yet elegant presentation, arrange Swiss cheese slices or cubes on a platter with crackers. Garnish with fresh or dried fruit, such as grapes, apple slices, or apricots. You could also add some nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, for added crunch and flavour. If you want to get creative, you can even make your own crackers! Simply slice a baguette thinly, brush the slices with olive oil, and bake them in the oven until crispy.

Creating a Cheese Board

If you want to offer a variety of cheeses, create a cheese board with Swiss cheese as the star. Add some complementary cheeses, such as Gruyere or Cheddar, and arrange them on a board or platter with crackers, fruits, and relishes. You can also include some cured meats, such as salami or prosciutto, to create a more substantial offering.

Pairing with Beverages

When serving Swiss cheese and crackers, consider offering a beverage that will enhance the flavour experience. Swiss cheese pairs well with a variety of wines, including Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. If you prefer beer, go for a lager, pale ale, or Weiss beer. These beverages will complement the nutty, bittersweet flavour of the Swiss cheese.

Experimenting with Toppings

While Swiss cheese is delicious on its own, you can also experiment with toppings to add extra flavour and texture. Try spreading a thin layer of honey or fruit jam on your cracker before adding the Swiss cheese. You could also sprinkle on some fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, for a more savoury touch.

Swiss cheese in mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food, and a favourite for many. It's a simple dish to make, and can be adapted in many ways, including by adding Swiss cheese to the mix.

Recipe

A Swiss mac and cheese typically includes a blend of Swiss cheese, Gruyere, and Cheddar. The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, before adding milk, and then the cheese. This is then poured over cooked macaroni, stirred through, and baked.

Tips

• Use full-fat milk for the best flavour.
• You can use heavy cream instead of milk for a richer sauce.
• If you can't get hold of Gruyere, you can use a stronger Swiss cheese that has been aged longer.
• You can use any hard cheese in place of the ones listed, as long as you keep the same proportions.
• To reheat, place in a saucepan with a little milk or cream and heat gently, stirring often.

Variations

You can adapt this recipe in many ways, including:

• Adding breadcrumbs and baking to create a crispy topping
• Adding broccoli, spinach, jalapenos, or other vegetables
• Adding meat, such as bacon, sausage, or lobster
• Adding mustard powder or hot sauce to enhance the flavours

Swiss cheese and wine/beer

Swiss cheese is a versatile cheese that pairs well with both wine and beer. For wine lovers, Swiss cheese is a good match for both red and white varieties. If you're drinking red, a Merlot or Pinot Noir would be a good choice. For white wine, try a Chardonnay or Riesling.

Swiss cheese also goes well with beer, especially lager, pale ales, and Weiss beer. These styles tend to have malty or hoppy flavours, which complement the cheese.

Swiss cheese has a nutty, bittersweet taste, which makes it a good pairing with red wines, and its salty notes complement the bitterness of lager or pale ale. The cheese's texture and flavour are also well-suited to the bubbles in sparkling wines, like Champagne or Prosecco.

When it comes to creating a full cheeseboard, Swiss cheese is a good base to build upon. Try adding some other cheeses, grapes, and relishes to your platter.

Frequently asked questions