Crunchy Walnuts And Cheesy Delights: Perfect Pairing

Walnuts and cheese are a classic pairing, but which type of cheese goes best with walnuts? Walnuts have a rich and slightly bitter flavour profile, making them a versatile nut to pair with various types of cheese. This earthy, less oily nut is excellent with aged cheddar, with its sharp and complex flavour, and the nutty notes of the walnuts complement the intense and savory taste of cheddar. For those who enjoy a pungent cheese, walnuts are a great match for blue cheese, especially Italian blue cheese, which offers a creamy and pungent profile. The robust flavour and crumbly texture of blue cheese complement the rich and slightly bitter taste of walnuts, and this pairing is taken to another level when drizzled with honey.

Walnuts and goat cheese

To elevate this combination, consider adding a drizzle of honey, which will give the duo a sweeter, milder taste. You can also experiment with different variations of walnuts and goat cheese to create unique flavour profiles. For instance, toasting the walnuts can enhance their fragrance and add a satisfying crunch to each bite.

When it comes to serving suggestions, there are endless possibilities. A popular option is to create warm walnut goat cheese bites as an appetizer. These bites typically involve mixing goat cheese with honey and spices, rolling the mixture into balls, coating them in whisked egg, and then rolling them in crushed walnuts before baking. Another option is to make a goat cheese crostini, where the goat cheese is spread on a crisp slice of baguette, topped with toasted walnuts, and drizzled with honey.

Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just starting to explore flavour combinations, walnuts and goat cheese is a pairing that is definitely worth indulging in.

Walnuts and blue cheese

Salads

Walnut and blue cheese salads are a popular choice for a healthy, tasty, and quick meal. The salad typically includes lettuce, spinach, and red onion, with walnuts and blue cheese crumbled on top. To add some extra flavour, a dressing made of olive oil, lime juice, dijon mustard, and black pepper is drizzled over the salad. Some variations of the salad include apple or pear, and other types of salad leaves such as arugula or baby spinach.

Pizzas

For those looking for a more indulgent option, a blue cheese, walnut, and pear pizza is a unique and tasty combination. The pizza typically has a base of vinaigrette, made with garlic, dijon mustard, rosemary, and vinegar, and is topped with mozzarella, blue cheese, pear, and walnuts. The sweetness of the pear and the crunch of the walnuts complement the tanginess of the blue cheese.

Other Combinations

When serving walnuts and blue cheese, honey can be drizzled over the top to add a sweeter, milder taste. Additionally, walnuts and blue cheese can be paired with aged cheeses like cheddar or sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro.

Walnuts and aged cheddar

Walnuts and cheese are a natural pairing, and walnuts' rich and slightly bitter flavour profile makes them a versatile nut to pair with various types of cheese.

Walnuts have an earthy flavour and a drier texture compared to other nuts, which makes them a delicious garnish for aged cheeses like cheddar. The sharp, complex flavour of aged cheddar pairs very well with the nutty notes of walnuts, resulting in a satisfying combination of flavours. The robust flavour of cheddar enhances the natural nuttiness of walnuts, creating a bold and satisfying combination.

For those who enjoy a pungent cheese, walnuts are also a great match for blue cheese, especially Gorgonzola, a type of Italian blue cheese with a creamy and pungent profile. The robust flavour and crumbly texture of blue cheese complement the rich and slightly bitter taste of walnuts, resulting in a delightful combination. Adding a drizzle of honey to this pairing takes it to another level.

When serving walnuts with aged cheddar, consider including some almonds as well. Almonds are another nut that pairs well with aged cheddar, and toasting them with smoked paprika will add extra colour and kick to the pairing. To make it a trio, add some crunchy, sweet pecans to the mix, which also complement the saltiness of cheddar.

To enhance the flavour of the walnuts, try toasting them before serving. Walnuts can also be coated and baked with sweet or savoury spices for an added flavour dimension.

Walnuts and sheep's milk cheese

Walnuts have an earthy flavour and a drier texture compared to other nuts, making them a delicious garnish for aged cheeses. Their flavour also complements sheep's milk cheese.

Sheep's milk cheese has a distinctly sheepy taste and nearly twice the fat and protein of cow or goat milk. It can be rich and tangy, with an undercurrent of sweetness, or intensely gamey. Sheep's milk cheese is ideal for standalone snacking and can be paired with red wine or served with briny olives and fresh fruit.

When it comes to pairing sheep's milk cheese with walnuts, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, walnuts go well with aged cheeses like cheddar, and sheep's milk cheeses such as Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro are recommended pairings. Secondly, if you're looking for a softer cheese, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort pairs well with walnuts, especially when drizzled with honey. Finally, for a sweet and mild taste, goat cheese pairs well with the smooth texture of walnuts, and a drizzle of honey can enhance this combination.

• Brebisrousse d'Argental: Buttery, soft, and smearable, with a thick fattiness and a balance of sweetness and brine.
• Rivertown from Many Fold Farm: Savory complexity with big tastes of mushroom and garlic, produced seasonally.
• Berkswell: Flavour changes seasonally, ranging from strawberry shortcake to lamby, with a dense yet powdery texture.
• Pecorino Toscano: Young, rindless, and moist, with a walnutty and tangy flavour.
• Manchego: Crowd-pleasing, with a sweet, candied undertone, and a texture that spans a huge range.

Walnuts and honey

Walnuts with honey also go well with soft cheeses like Roquefort or Gorgonzola. The sweetness of the honey balances the salty tang of these soft blue cheeses, creating a delightful contrast of flavours.

For a different take on the classic, try pairing walnuts and honey with goat cheese. The smooth texture of the goat cheese blends beautifully with the crunch of the walnuts, and the honey adds a touch of sweetness to the mix, making it a harmonious combination.

Finally, for those who enjoy a more complex flavour profile, walnuts and honey can be paired with sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque or Pecorino Ginepro. The creamy and tangy qualities of these cheeses harmonise exceptionally well with the nutty flavours of the walnuts, creating a unique and indulgent experience.

So, the next time you're curating a cheese platter, remember the magic combination of walnuts and honey to elevate your tasting experience.

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