Cajun's Perfect Cheese Pairing Partners: Spicy And Savory

If you're looking to add some cheesy goodness to your Cajun dishes, there are plenty of options to choose from! A sharp cheddar or Parmesan can stand up to the bold flavours and spices of Cajun food, while a Gruyere or Swiss cheese might be better if you prefer a milder flavour. For an even more intense flavour, blue cheese is a great option, and its creaminess helps to balance out the spiciness of Cajun dishes. If you're feeling creative, you can try adding cheddar to a Cajun omelette or grilled cheese sandwich, or even making Cajun cheese fries!

Characteristics of cheese that goes with Cajun:

Beehive Big John's Cajun Cheese

Beehive Big Johns Cajun Cheese

Beehive Big John's Cajun is a cheddar-style cheese with a twist. It is a semi-firm cheese, hand-rubbed with a blend of Cajun spices, including cayenne pepper, garlic, and celery seed. The cheese is produced by the Beehive Cheese Company in Utah, United States, and was named after local chef John Dearmin, who created the unique spice blend.

The Cheese

The base cheese for Beehive Big John's Cajun is the company's sweet and buttery "Utah Cheddar". The cheese is made from pasteurized Jersey cow's milk, known for its high butterfat content. The milk is sourced from a local dairy farm, located just 10 miles from the creamery, and cheesemaking begins just hours after the milk arrives. After pasteurization and the addition of starter cultures, the milk is left to ripen before adding microbial rennet to coagulate it. The curds are then "cheddared" to achieve the right moisture and pH level, milled, and finally transferred into molds for pressing.

The Cajun Twist

What sets Beehive Big John's Cajun apart is the spice blend hand-rubbed onto the cheese during the aging process. Unlike traditional Cajun rubs, which use paprika, this blend includes cayenne pepper, adding a spicy kick to the cheese. The heat is concentrated near the rind, so those who enjoy a spicy punch can eat the cheese with the rind, while those who prefer a milder experience can stick to the middle. The smooth, sweet richness of the cheese perfectly complements the heat of the spices, creating a fun and unique flavour profile.

Pairings and Recipes

When it comes to beverage pairings, Beehive Big John's Cajun is quite versatile. It goes well with full-bodied red wines, champagne, sweet non-fortified white wines, lagers, ales, and fruity wheat beer. As for food pairings, this cheese is excellent for cooking. It can be used in mac and cheese, chicken focaccia with avocado, shaved on a salad, or melted over a burger or grilled cheese sandwich. The spiciness of the cheese balances well with its rich, smooth, and melty texture, making it a tasty addition to various dishes.

Cajun Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• Water
• Kosher salt
• Large elbow pasta
• Canola oil
• Andouille sausage
• Yellow onion
• Green and red bell peppers
• Garlic
• Salted butter
• All-purpose flour
• Whole milk
• Cajun seasoning
• Medium Cheddar cheese
• Pepper Jack cheese

Optional Ingredients

• Fresh or dried basil
• Evaporated milk
• Paprika
• Cayenne Pepper
• Eggs
• Colby & Monterey Jack cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Scallions
• Wagon-wheel pasta

Instructions

Preheat the oven and bring water and salt to a boil in a Dutch oven. Cook the pasta for about 8 minutes, drain it and set it aside.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the sausage, onion, and bell peppers. Stir occasionally until the sausage begins to brown and the veggies are tender. This should take about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer the mixture to a plate and wipe the skillet clean.

To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in the skillet. Add flour and cook, whisking for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer. This should take about 14 to 16 minutes. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, for another 5 minutes. Whisk in the Cajun seasoning and remaining salt, then the cheeses until smooth. Remove from heat.

Stir in the cooked pasta and sausage mixture. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes. Increase the oven temperature and broil until the top is browned and crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Tips

• You can make this dish in advance and refrigerate or freeze it.
• For a milder taste, substitute Monterey Jack cheese and smoked sausage for Andouille.
• You can also add extra protein such as grilled or blackened chicken, shrimp, crab cakes, or additional Andouille sausage.
• For a vegetarian option, skip the Andouille sausage.
• For a spicier kick, add bell peppers, jalapeños, or other peppers.
• Top with breadcrumbs or extra cheese.

Cheese to pair with Cajun food

Cajun food is known for its bold flavours and spices. If you're looking to tone down the heat, cheese is the perfect foil. It mellows out the spice and adds a creamy, rich texture that takes the dish to the next level.

The best cheese to pair with Cajun food is a sharp cheddar or a Parmesan. If you want a more mild flavour, you could try a Gruyere, Swiss, or Gouda. For an intense flavour, try a blue cheese.

• Add cheddar cheese to a Cajun omelette or grilled cheese sandwich.
• Sprinkle cheddar cheese over Cajun spiced popcorn or French fries.
• Stuff cheddar cheese inside Cajun-style chicken or a burger.
• Make Cajun mac and cheese by adding cheddar, pepper jack, and andouille sausage.
• Try a grilled cheese sandwich with gruyere and Cajun spices, or melt it over a bowl of jambalaya.
• Swiss cheese is a good melting cheese, making it ideal for dishes like Cajun cheese fries or cheese grits.
• For a more intense flavour, try a blue cheese dressing on buffalo chicken wings.
• Gouda has a mild yet nutty flavour, which pairs well with Cajun-seasoned chicken breast or shrimp.
• Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese with a slightly sweet flavour that would be a good contrast to the spiciness of Cajun dishes. Try melting it on top of Cajun chicken or shrimp.

So, next time you're enjoying a Cajun dish, don't forget to add a generous helping of cheese to enhance those bold flavours and balance out the spice!

Cajun grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• 3 Andouille sausages
• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 6 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
• 8 slices Italian or French bread
• 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 6 ounces Monterey Jack, shredded

Optional Ingredients

• Cayenne pepper
• Celery seed
• Garlic
• Gouda
• Gruyere
• Blue cheese
• Parmesan
• Swiss cheese
• Brie
• Camembert
• Chevre

Method

Slice the sausages in half lengthwise, then cut into thin half-moon shapes. Cook the sausage in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned (around 6-8 minutes). Remove the sausage from the pan and place in a bowl, then wipe the skillet clean to use for grilling the sandwiches.

In a medium bowl, mix together the cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoons of butter, and your choice of optional ingredients until well mixed. Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on one side of each piece of bread. On four slices of bread, spread the cheddar/butter mixture on the non-buttered side. Top the cheddar with the Andouille sausage, then sprinkle the Monterey Jack cheese on top.

Take the remaining four pieces of bread and spread the Dijon mustard on the non-buttered side, placing them on top of the other slices of bread with the mustard side down. Heat the skillet over medium heat and add two sandwiches at a time. Cook until nicely browned on the bottom, pressing with a spatula to flatten, then flip to the other side. Cook until the second side is nicely browned. If the cheese is not completely melted, turn the heat to low and cook until it melts. Repeat with the remaining two sandwiches.

Serving Suggestions

Spicy Andouille sausage

When it comes to cheese pairings, there are several options that can enhance the flavour of this sausage. Here are some suggestions:

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a classic pairing for Andouille sausage. Its robust flavour and melting texture make it an ideal choice. In a recipe like macaroni and cheese with Andouille sausage, sharp cheddar adds a nice kick to the dish.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese adds a luxurious, creamy texture to dishes featuring Andouille sausage. It can be used in pasta recipes, such as a creamy Cajun sausage pasta, to create a rich and indulgent meal.

Monterey Jack

Mild and creamy, Monterey Jack is another cheese that melts easily and blends well with other cheeses. It can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches with Andouille sausage to create a gooey, savoury treat.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese, such as Gruyère, offers a mild, nutty flavour and melts smoothly. It can add a touch of sophistication to a grilled cheese sandwich with Andouille sausage.

Gouda

Gouda is a slightly sweet, creamy cheese that melts wonderfully. It can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches to add a touch of sweetness to balance the spice of the Andouille sausage.

Provolone

Provolone is a mild and slightly tangy cheese that melts well. It pairs nicely with other cheeses, so it can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches with Andouille sausage for a complex flavour profile.

These cheese suggestions can enhance the flavour of Spicy Andouille sausage and create delicious, satisfying meals. Whether used in pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as part of a charcuterie board, these cheeses will complement the unique, spicy taste of the sausage.

Frequently asked questions