The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Chestnuts: A Guide

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are a good complement to fruit, vegetables, chocolate, and meat. They are commonly associated with the festive season and are often roasted on an open fire. But there are many other ways to cook and prepare chestnuts, including boiling, grilling, and turning them into flour, candy, deep-fried treats, or purée. So, what cheese goes with chestnuts?

Chestnut and chocolate desserts

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are commonly associated with the festive season and have a sweet, nutty, earthy flavour. When it comes to dessert, chestnuts pair particularly well with chocolate. Here are some ideas for indulgent chestnut and chocolate desserts:

Chocolate and Chestnut Cake

This dessert is a perfect complement to any joyous occasion. The roasted chestnuts give the cake a rich and nutty flavour. The cake has a fudgy texture, somewhere between a brownie, cake, truffle and mousse. The chestnut puree adds a sweet, nutty, buttery flavour. The cake is flavoured with vanilla, spiced rum and a pinch of cinnamon. The rum can be replaced with another spirit or left out entirely. The cake is also flourless, making it perfect for those who are allergic to gluten.

Chocolate-Chestnut Mousse

This decadent mousse is an impressive make-ahead dessert for a holiday meal. It is easy to make, with no eggs, double boiler or extra fuss. The mousse combines chestnuts, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, bittersweet chocolate and brandy. It is served with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Chocolate and Chestnut Truffle Torte

This glamorous dessert is a perfect festive centrepiece for a posh Christmas party.

Chocolate and Chestnut Cupcakes

Sweet chestnuts and chocolate make a heavenly combination at Christmas time.

Iced Chestnut Ripple Cheesecake

This frozen dessert has a dark chocolate digestive base and a nutty cream cheese topping.

In addition to these dessert ideas, chestnuts can also be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, including stuffing, salads, soups and casseroles.

Chestnut stuffing recipes

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are commonly associated with the festive season and are often roasted on an open fire. However, they can also be boiled, baked, or puréed and folded into cream for desserts. Here are some recipes for chestnut stuffing, a classic side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas:

Chestnut, Bacon & Cranberry Stuffing

This festive stuffing combines all the traditional flavours of the holiday season. It can be served as a side dish or used to stuff a turkey or chicken.

Ingredients:

• Bread: White bread, sourdough bread, Italian bread, or cornbread, cut into ½-inch cubes.
• Unsalted butter or olive oil.
• Vegetables/Aromatics: Onions, celery, and garlic.
• Fresh herbs: Sage, parsley, and thyme.
• Large eggs.
• Stock: Vegetable, chicken, turkey, or low-sodium chicken broth.
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper.
• Chestnuts: Cooked and peeled, or raw chestnuts to be boiled, roasted, or air-fried.
• Optional add-ins: Pancetta, sweet Italian sausage, or bacon; thinly sliced mushrooms or fennel; heavy cream; dried cranberries or raisins; nuts such as walnuts or pecans.

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9x13-inch shallow casserole dish with butter.
• Melt butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and celery until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, and sauté for 1 minute. Then add the sage and sauté for an additional minute. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix the cubed bread, parsley, and thyme.
• Add the eggs, stock, salt, pepper, and vegetable mixture to the bread mixture, gently tossing until just combined.
• Gently stir in the chopped chestnuts.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into a single layer. Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown. Alternatively, stuff the mixture into the cavity of the bird and roast until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing

This recipe features flavourful stuffing bites with dried cranberries, sausagemeat, and chestnuts wrapped in streaky bacon.

Ingredients:

• Dried cranberries
• Sausagemeat
• Chestnuts
• Streaky bacon

Directions:

Pop into the oven during the last 30 minutes of cooking your roast potatoes.

Chestnut & Bacon Cake

A festive and flavoursome stuffing that makes a wonderful addition to any holiday meal.

Ingredients:

• Chestnuts
• Bacon
• Herbs

Chestnut Stuffing Roll

A clever and practical way to serve chestnut stuffing, this roll is designed to save space in the oven and is served in thick slices.

Ingredients:

• Chestnuts
• Bacon

Chestnut & Wild Mushroom Stuffed Three-Bird Roast

An elegant and sophisticated main course, this multi-bird roast combines chicken, pheasant, and duck with a chestnut and wild mushroom stuffing.

Ingredients:

• Chestnuts
• Wild mushrooms
• Chicken
• Pheasant
• Duck

Chestnut soups

Roasted Chestnut Soup

First, prepare your chestnuts by scoring an 'X' on the flat side of each nut. You can then roast them in the oven, boil or steam them. Once cooked, peel the chestnuts and set aside. For a roasted chestnut soup, you'll want to cook some onions in a pot with butter or olive oil until they're translucent. Then, deglaze the pan with sherry or marsala, and add your choice of stock – chicken or vegetable work well. Toss in the chestnuts, herbs such as thyme or a herb bouquet, and simmer until tender. Puree the soup until smooth, and add a dash of nutmeg, maple syrup, and salt to taste. Finish it off with heavy cream for an extra indulgent touch.

Silky Cream of Chestnut Soup

For a silky-smooth and creamy soup, start by cooking your vegetables. Heat some olive oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan and add shallots, celery, and carrots. Cook until softened, and then add garlic. Stir in the chestnuts, thyme, bay leaf, vegetable stock, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender. Remove the bay leaf and puree the soup until creamy. If you'd like to add cream, stir it in and bring the soup to a boil. Season with grated nutmeg and serve with your choice of toppings, such as creme fraiche, chopped chives, or bacon bits.

Chestnut and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

This soup combines the earthy flavours of chestnuts with the rich, nutty taste of Jerusalem artichokes. Simply roast and peel your chestnuts, and combine them with roasted artichokes, thyme, and stock in a blender. Puree until smooth and silky. This soup is a great starter for a winter meal and can be served with crusty bread.

Chestnut Soup with a Twist

If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some unique ingredients to your chestnut soup. One option is to include caramelised onions instead of regular cooked onions for a deeper, sweeter flavour. You can also experiment with different types of nuts; try blending in some smoked chestnut flour for a hearty, smoky taste. For a boozy kick, finish the soup with a splash of brandy or sherry.

Savoury chestnut dishes

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Their sweet, earthy, and nutty flavour complements a wide variety of ingredients, including meat, fruit and vegetables, and even chocolate.

Chestnut Stuffing

A classic choice for Thanksgiving or Christmas, chestnut stuffing is a tasty side dish that goes well with roast turkey. You can also add ingredients like fennel, pancetta, cranberries, or sausage meat to make it even more flavourful.

Chestnut Soup

There are several variations of chestnut soup that you can try. For a simple option, you can make a roasted chestnut soup with carrots, vegetable broth, cloves, and bay leaves. Alternatively, add some bacon and herbs for a heartier option, or try a porcini-chestnut soup for an earthy flavour.

Chestnut Pasta

Chestnut flour can be used to make gluten-free pasta with a nutty taste. It pairs well with a butter and sage sauce or a creamy artichoke filling.

Chestnut Hummus

For a unique twist on a classic, try making hummus with chestnuts instead of chickpeas. Serve it with crudités or homemade herbed pita chips as an easy holiday snack or appetiser.

Chestnut and Vegetable Sides

Chestnuts are commonly paired with Brussels sprouts, and you can also add bacon for a salty contrast. Additionally, chestnuts can be added to mashed sprouts for those who like the taste but not the texture. Chestnuts also go well with other roasted or baked vegetables, such as squash, sweet potatoes, leeks, and root vegetables.

Chestnut Salads

For a lighter option, chestnuts can be used in salads. Try a roasted chestnut and beetroot salad with lettuce and blue cheese, or a wild rice salad with mushrooms, cranberries, and chestnuts.

Chestnut Casserole

For a hearty main course, try a venison sausage and chestnut casserole or a beef, chestnut, and red wine casserole.

Chestnut snacks

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. They are commonly associated with the festive season and have a sweet, nutty, earthy flavour. Here are some chestnut snack ideas:

Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted chestnuts are a classic snack, often sold at street stalls during late autumn and winter. You can recreate this simple and satisfying snack at home in your oven or on a grill for a smoky, toasty flavour.

Chestnut Hummus

Chestnuts can be used as an alternative to chickpeas to make a festive hummus. Serve with crudités, or homemade herbed pita chips for a holiday snack.

Chestnut Butter

Roasted chestnuts can be blended with walnuts to make a festive nut butter. This works well on a cheese and fruit platter or as a homemade gift.

Chestnut and Yogurt Smoothie

For a meal on the go, try a chestnut smoothie. Combine Greek yogurt, rolled oats, and pumpkin seeds with roasted chestnuts for a tasty and filling drink.

Roasted Chestnut Cookies

These cookies are full of chestnuts, butter, and warm winter spices, then rolled in powdered sugar. They are perfect for holiday baking and will melt in your mouth.

Chestnut Tart with Oyster Mushrooms

This savoury tart has a chestnut flour crust, with an earthy mushroom, rosemary, and feta filling. It makes a delicious snack any time of the day.

Frequently asked questions