Blue Cheese Companions: Perfect Pairing Cheeses

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads to burgers. It has a bold, sharp, and tangy flavour with grassy notes and hints of mushroom. Its strong flavour allows for sweeter pairings, such as honey, chocolate, and fruit. When it comes to cheese, blue cheese can be paired with milder cheeses like Danish Blue or Gorgonzola, or more pungent varieties such as Roquefort or Stilton.

Blue cheese with fruit

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to burgers. It is also a great stand-alone snack, especially when paired with fruits. Here are some ideas for pairing blue cheese with fruit:

Fresh Fruits

Blue cheese pairs well with fresh fruits like apples, pears, and peaches. The sweetness of the fruit balances the saltiness and boldness of the blue cheese. You can also try grilling or caramelising the fruits to add a depth of flavour that complements the cheese. For example, grilled peach halves with a sprinkle of blue cheese make a delicious summer treat.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruits such as figs, apricots, and raisins are also excellent partners for blue cheese. Their concentrated sweetness and chewy texture contrast nicely with the creaminess of the cheese. Try a classic pairing of blue cheese with dried figs for a sophisticated snack.

Fruit Spreads and Compotes

Fruit spreads and compotes can add a sweet and tangy dimension to blue cheese. Traditional pairings include quince paste, chutneys, and fruit jams. For a more indulgent option, drizzle honey on your blue cheese or try a rum toddy toffee dessert sauce. These pairings enhance the cheese's flavour and make for a decadent dessert.

Fruit-Based Dishes

Blue cheese can also be incorporated into fruit-based dishes. For example, a pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad is a refreshing option for a summer barbecue. Alternatively, you can make a pizza with blue cheese, caramelised onions, and sliced apples or pears for a sweet and savoury main course.

Blue cheese on a burger

Blue cheese is a bold and flavourful ingredient that can add a punch of flavour to a burger. When making a blue cheese burger, it is important to consider the type of blue cheese to use, as well as what other ingredients to pair it with.

There are several types of blue cheese that vary in flavour, texture, and strength. Some popular varieties include:

• Cambozola: a combination of triple cream brie and gorgonzola, known for its creaminess and mild flavour.
• Roquefort: one of the oldest and strongest blue cheeses, made from sheep's milk.
• Gorgonzola: a bold and crumbly Italian cheese that comes in two varieties: dolce (sweet) and piccante (hot).
• Stilton: a well-rounded, sweet, creamy, and nutty blue cheese made in the UK.
• Point Reyes Farmstead Bay Blue: a mild, sweet, and earthy variety from California.

When adding blue cheese to a burger, it is typically crumbled and melted on top of the patty. This allows the cheese to blend with the other ingredients and enhances the overall flavour of the burger. To take your blue cheese burger to the next level, consider pairing it with some of the following ingredients:

• Caramelised onions: the sweetness of caramelised onions can balance the sharpness of blue cheese.
• Bacon: the saltiness and crunch of bacon can add texture and flavour to the burger.
• Salad greens: crisp lettuce or other salad greens can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the blue cheese.
• Walnuts: the nutty flavour and crunch of walnuts go well with blue cheese and can add a nice textural element.
• Fruits: slices of apple, pear, or fig can provide a sweet and refreshing contrast to the savoury blue cheese.
• Honey: a drizzle of honey can complement the sharpness of blue cheese and add a touch of sweetness.

When building your blue cheese burger, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. You may want to avoid overwhelming the burger with too many strong flavours and instead choose a few key ingredients that complement each other well. Additionally, consider the quality and freshness of your ingredients, as this can make a significant difference in the overall taste of the burger.

Blue cheese dip

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be eaten on a cheeseboard, crumbled, spread, or melted. One of the most common ways to enjoy blue cheese is to crumble and melt it on top of a burger. It can also be used to make a dip, dessert, or grilled cheese.

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• Blue cheese crumbles (any kind)
• Fresh chives (or sliced green onions), chopped
• Lemon juice
• Pepper

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and gently mix until fully incorporated. You can adjust the intensity of the blue cheese flavor by increasing or decreasing the amount of blue cheese used. Serve with your favorite veggies, chips, or chicken.

This dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will improve as the dip sits, and it will also become thicker.

Blue cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich

Blue cheese is a bold, sharp, and tangy cheese with grassy notes and hints of mushroom. It is a versatile cheese that can be eaten on a cheeseboard, crumbled, spread, or melted. Blue cheese can be used to add flavour to salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 4 slices of Italian or Hawaiian bread
• 1/2 cup of grated sharp white cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup of freshly crumbled blue cheese
• 4 slices of cooked bacon (optional)
• 4 slices of provolone cheese (optional)
• Pickled onions (optional)

Method:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Place two slices of bread in the skillet and press them down to absorb the butter.
• Top the bread with white cheddar, followed by Parmesan (if using), and then crumble the blue cheese over the top.
• Top with more white cheddar and the remaining two slices of bread.
• Cover and cook until the bottom slice is golden brown, then flip, cover, and repeat.
• Serve with soup, chips, or by itself.

Some variations include adding provolone, bacon, and fig jam to the sandwich, or adding pickled onions to the skillet.

Blue cheese salad

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads to burgers. Its bold, sharp, and tangy flavour with grassy notes and hints of mushroom, along with its crumbly texture, make it a great addition to a salad.

A blue cheese salad is a tasty dish that combines sweet and savoury flavours. The key ingredients in a blue cheese salad are:

• Lettuce (romaine or iceberg)
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Blue cheese dressing
• Bacon
• Tomatoes (cherry or grape)
• Red onion

To make a blue cheese salad, start by washing and chopping the lettuce. It is important to ensure that the lettuce is completely dry before adding the other ingredients. Cook the bacon until crisp and chop it into small pieces. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, half of the bacon, and half of the blue cheese crumbles. Add the blue cheese dressing and toss until the lettuce is evenly coated. Top the salad with the remaining bacon and blue cheese crumbles. You can also add other ingredients like chives, sesame seeds, or walnuts for some extra crunch and flavour.

For a sweet and tangy twist on the classic blue cheese salad, you can add dried cranberries or fresh fruits like apples, pears, or figs. The combination of sweet and savoury flavours will elevate your salad and impress your guests.

So, the next time you're looking for a delicious and easy salad to make, give the blue cheese salad a try! It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser and might just become your new go-to recipe.

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