Cheese, Apples, And Pears: A Perfect Match

There are endless ways to pair apples, pears, and cheese. Whether it's for a party platter, a fun family snack, or a delicious appetizer, there are many fantastic options to choose from. For example, Granny Smith apples pair well with soft, mild cheeses like brie or camembert, while Honeycrisp apples are wonderful with firm or semi-firm cheeses like cheddar or smoked gouda. When it comes to pears, D'Anjou pairs beautifully with creamy, tangy goat cheese, and Bartlett pears are perfect with salty, brined cheeses like feta and halloumi.

Honeycrisp apples with cheddar or smoked gouda

Honeycrisp apples are a juicy, sweet, and refreshing variety of apple that pairs well with tart, firm, or semi-firm cheeses. Two cheeses that are often recommended to accompany Honeycrisp apples are cheddar and smoked gouda.

Honeycrisp Apples with Cheddar

Cheddar is a versatile cheese that can be used in a range of dishes, from classic grilled cheese sandwiches to cheeseboards. When pairing cheddar with Honeycrisp apples, it is best to opt for an aged variety, as this will provide a nice contrast in texture and flavour. The sharpness of the cheddar will also complement the sweetness of the apples.

Honeycrisp Apples with Smoked Gouda

Smoked gouda is a semi-firm Dutch cheese with buttery caramel notes. It is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches as it melts beautifully and has a slightly smoked flavour. When pairing smoked gouda with Honeycrisp apples, the sweetness of the apples will balance out the smokiness of the cheese.

Recipe Ideas

Whether you choose cheddar or smoked gouda to pair with your Honeycrisp apples, there are plenty of recipe ideas to explore. Here are a few suggestions:

• Grilled cheese sandwich: Combine sliced Honeycrisp apples, cheddar or smoked gouda, and crispy bacon on sourdough bread. Butter both sides of the bread, cook on medium-low heat until the cheese is melted, and enjoy!
• Crostini: Top baguette slices with smoked gouda, bake until the cheese is melted, and then add thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples and fresh thyme leaves. For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle with honey.
• Cheeseboard: Create a cheeseboard with sliced Honeycrisp apples, cheddar, and/or smoked gouda. Include other items such as crackers, meats, and jams for a well-rounded and delicious snack.

Granny Smith apples with brie or camembert

Granny Smith apples are a famously green and tart variety of apple. They are dense, with a thick skin and a strong flavour. Their sharp taste makes them a perfect match for creamy, soft cheeses such as brie and camembert.

A brie and Granny Smith apple sandwich is a popular choice, with the rich and creamy cheese pairing perfectly with the sweet and tart apple to create a satisfying and flavourful sandwich. The addition of butter, mayonnaise, mustard, and a sturdy bread such as sourdough or a rustic loaf can elevate this combination even further.

For those who enjoy a cheese board, Granny Smith apples and brie or camembert can be served alongside crackers or bread, such as baguette slices. The crisp, sweet, and tart apple provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy, mild, and soft cheese. This pairing is also well-suited for use in recipes, such as baked camembert with apple slices, or apple and blue cheese crostini.

When pairing Granny Smith apples with brie or camembert, consider adding complementary ingredients such as arugula, spinach, or nuts for a touch of crunch. For a more elaborate dish, try a grilled cheese sandwich with ham or turkey, or a slow cooker apple crisp for dessert.

In summary, Granny Smith apples and brie or camembert make a delicious combination, offering a delightful interplay of flavours and textures that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to cheese boards to baked recipes.

Fuji apples with gorgonzola or pecorino

Fuji apples are a late-ripening variety of apple that is moderately sized, with a round to ovate shape and a slightly lopsided appearance. They are known for their dense, crisp texture and sweet-tart flavour with notes of honey and citrus. When it comes to cheese pairings, Fuji apples work best with firm, aged, tart cheeses.

Fuji Apples with Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese that is often used in salads or as a topping for apples. It has a tangy, creamy and spreadable texture, and a milder flavour compared to other blue cheeses. When paired with the sweetness of Fuji apples, the combination creates a mix of textures and flavours that complement each other.

A simple way to enjoy this pairing is by making an apple gorgonzola salad. Start by toasting some walnuts in a skillet over medium-low heat until they are browned. Slice a Fuji apple into thin pieces and combine it with baby arugula, gorgonzola cheese, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and sliced red onions. You can also add a dressing made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.

Fuji Apples with Pecorino

Pecorino is a firm, aged sheep's milk cheese with a salty and nutty flavour. It pairs well with the sweetness of Fuji apples, creating a contrast between the sharp cheese and the crisp, juicy apple.

One way to serve this combination is by making a pecorino Romano with apples and fig jam. Start by simmering dried figs in a mixture of simple syrup and brandy. Puree the fig mixture with some chopped toasted hazelnuts. Drizzle baguette slices with olive oil and top them with grated pecorino Romano. Bake until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Top each slice of toast with the fig jam, a slice of apple, and a piece of shaved pecorino Romano.

Both gorgonzola and pecorino offer distinct flavour and texture profiles that enhance the sweetness of Fuji apples, making them excellent choices for cheese and fruit pairings.

D'Anjou pears with goat cheese

D'Anjou pears are a juicy, egg-shaped pear with a sweet and brisk citrus flavour and a hint of spice. They are a perfect match with creamy, tangy goat cheese.

A simple but impressive appetizer can be made with fresh pears, baguette slices, and goat cheese, drizzled with honey. This combination of flavours works beautifully: the sweetness of the honey and the pear, the savoury notes of the soft goat cheese, and the crunch of the toasted baguette slices.

To make this appetizer, preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Slice a baguette into 1-inch-thick pieces, brush with olive oil, and bake for 5 minutes on each side until toasted. Spread about 1/2-1 tablespoon of goat cheese per crostini, add a pinch of pepper, and top with 2-3 thin slices of pear. Finish with a sprinkling of almonds or walnuts, and a drizzle of honey. Fresh thyme or rosemary can be added as a garnish.

This appetizer can also be served deconstructed as part of a cheeseboard, with the softened goat cheese, pear slices, crostini, and honey, allowing guests to make their own.

For a more substantial dish, a goat cheese and pear kale salad can be made, with the addition of red onion.

Bartlett pears with feta or halloumi

Feta and halloumi are both salty, brined cheeses. Feta has a more crumbly texture, while halloumi is springy and firm, with a high melting point that makes it ideal for pan-frying or grilling.

When combining Bartlett pears with feta or halloumi, consider the following serving suggestions:

• Slice the pears and serve them fresh with the cheese as a simple, yet appetising snack.
• For a hot side dish, try roasting the pears with red onions and herbs, and either feta or halloumi. This brings out the sweetness of the pears and adds a savoury element to the dish.
• Bartlett pears can also be used in a variety of recipes, such as salads, wraps, pinwheels, or baked goods.

Frequently asked questions