Hot Honey And Cheese: A Match Made In Heaven

Honey and cheese is a classic combination, with the sweetness of honey bringing out the best in many cheeses. When pairing honey with cheese, the ideal is to find the right balance between sweet and salty, strong and mild flavours, where neither overpowers the other. The same goes for hot honey, which is a great addition to a grilled cheese sandwich. The sweet and spicy combination will make you question whether you need meat.

Ricotta topped with honey, fruit, and prosciutto

To make this dish, start by choosing a fruit that pairs well with honey. Figs, apricots, and berries are all excellent choices that complement the honey's sweetness while adding a burst of freshness to the dish. You can also use other fruits such as apples, peaches, plums, or strawberries. Slice the fruit of your choice into thin pieces that can be easily enjoyed with the ricotta.

Next, prepare the ricotta by stirring it until it reaches a creamy consistency. You can use whole fat ricotta for a richer flavour and texture. Spread a generous amount of the creamy ricotta onto toasted bread slices or crostini. French bread or sourdough bread work well for this dish, providing a crunchy base that contrasts with the creamy toppings.

Now, it's time to assemble the dish. Drizzle the ricotta with honey, adding just enough to enhance the flavour without overwhelming the other ingredients. Then, add the sliced fruit, arranging it on top of the ricotta and honey. Finally, top the dish with thin slices of prosciutto, which will provide a salty contrast to the sweetness of the previous layers.

For an extra touch of flavour and texture, consider adding some arugula leaves and freshly ground black pepper. You can also serve this dish with a side of sliced almonds, which will add a satisfying crunch. Enjoy your Ricotta topped with honey, fruit, and prosciutto as a delicious and elegant treat!

Honey-infused grilled cheese with bacon

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread (white, sourdough, brioche, or gluten-free)
• 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 slices of cheese (American, cheddar, pepper jack, or Tallegio)
• 2 strips of cooked bacon
• 1 generous drizzle of hot honey
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Tomato
• Tomato jam
• Red pepper flakes

Method

• Spread half a tablespoon of mayonnaise onto one side of each slice of bread and place them, mayonnaise-side down, in a skillet.
• Place one slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread.
• Cook the sandwich in the skillet over medium heat until the cheese melts and the bread turns golden brown, which should take around 2.5 minutes.
• Add the bacon and drizzle with hot honey.
• Stack the slices and serve.

Tips

• For a vegetarian option, skip the bacon and let the hot honey take center stage.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute white bread with your favorite gluten-free alternative.
• To double the spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• To enhance the flavor of the cheese, experiment with different types of honey, such as wildflower, raspberry, or buckwheat.
• To make a more substantial meal, serve the grilled cheese with tomato soup or a salad drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Honey and blue cheese with walnuts

Honey and cheese is a classic combination, with the sweetness of honey bringing out the best in many cheeses. Blue cheese is one variety that goes particularly well with honey, as the sweet honey will mellow out its strong flavour.

A simple yet delicious appetiser can be made by plating blue cheese with honey and walnuts. The walnuts can be dry toasted first, and the cheese can be crumbled, or served in wedges. The honey is then drizzled over the cheese and walnuts. This combination can be served with crusty bread, crackers, apple and pear slices, or even on its own.

For a warm, gooey version of this appetiser, crumble the blue cheese into a small oven-proof dish, add walnuts, and drizzle with honey. Place in an oven preheated to 300 degrees Celsius for about 5 minutes, or until melted. This can be served with apple and pear slices for dipping.

Honey and brie with nuts

Honey and cheese is a classic combination that is sure to delight your taste buds. The sweetness of honey brings out the best in many cheeses, creating a delicate balance of sweet and salty flavours. One such pairing is honey and brie with nuts.

Brie is a mild, soft cow's milk cheese with a creamy interior and a white rind on the outside. When heated, it melts and becomes semi-liquid, making it perfect for dipping. To make baked brie with honey and nuts, start by placing a wheel or wedge of Brie in an oven-proof dish or pan. Score the top of the Brie, cutting about a quarter-inch from the edge, without removing the rind. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is warmed through and melted.

While the Brie is baking, prepare the honey nut topping. Toast your choice of nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or pistachios) in a skillet over low heat until they are slightly brown and fragrant. Add honey, a pinch of cinnamon, and a sprinkle of salt to the nuts and stir until well combined.

Once the Brie is out of the oven, carefully remove the top rind using a sharp knife, if desired. Pour the honey nut topping over the melted cheese and serve immediately with crackers, apple slices, bread, or other dippers of your choice. This combination of warm, melted Brie, sweet honey, and crunchy nuts is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.

For a festive touch, you can also add dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots to the topping. Another option is to include a sprig of thyme for a savoury note. Play around with different types of honey, such as wildflower or raspberry honey, to find your favourite flavour combination.

Honey and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Parmigiano-Reggiano is a popular Italian cheese known for its rich flavour and versatility in cooking. Its unique characteristics make it a great pairing with various foods and drinks, including honey. Here are some tips and insights on pairing Parmigiano-Reggiano with honey:

Flavour Profile

Parmigiano-Reggiano has a salty and nutty flavour that is beautifully enhanced by sweet honey. The combination of salty and sweet creates a delightful contrast that will tantalise your taste buds. The sweetness of honey brings out the nutty notes in the cheese, creating a harmonious flavour experience.

Honey Varieties

When pairing honey with Parmigiano-Reggiano, you can experiment with different varieties to find your preferred taste. Some recommended honey types include:

• Acacia honey: This honey variety has a delicate floral and lightly fruity scent. It offers a sweet and vanilla-infused flavour with a hint of sourness. Acacia honey pairs well with Parmigiano-Reggiano, providing a subtle sweetness that complements the cheese's savoury notes.
• Chestnut honey: With a strong scent and flavour, chestnut honey is predominantly bitter and long-lasting on the palate. It is an ideal match for Parmigiano-Reggiano, as the cheese's complexity can stand up to the honey's bold character.
• Eucalyptus honey: This honey variety has a pungent fragrance and a robust flavour with hints of caramel. It is another excellent choice for pairing with Parmigiano-Reggiano, as the cheese's salty and nutty attributes can balance the honey's intensity.

Serving Suggestions

When serving Parmigiano-Reggiano with honey, there are several ways to present this delightful duo:

• Drizzle honey over a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano just before serving. This classic approach ensures the honey enhances the cheese's flavour without overwhelming it.
• Offer a jar of honey on the side of a cheese plate. This allows your guests to customise their own pairings, exploring the interplay of flavours at their own pace.
• Include pieces of honeycomb on the cheese plate. Leaving the honeycomb intact creates a visually stunning presentation. Your guests can cut off pieces of honeycomb to savour with the cheese, creating a unique textural experience.
• Accompany the cheese and honey with slices of baguette or crackers. These provide a neutral foundation for the flavours to shine and make it easier for your guests to enjoy the pairings.

Additional Pairing Elements

To elevate your Parmigiano-Reggiano and honey pairing, consider incorporating other complementary elements:

• Fruit: Add fresh or dried fruit to your platter, such as pears, apples, grapes, figs, or strawberries. The natural sweetness and acidity of the fruit will enhance the honey's flavour and provide a refreshing contrast to the salty cheese.
• Nuts: Include a variety of nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. The crunch and depth of flavour they provide will create a delightful textural contrast to the creamy cheese and viscous honey.
• Wine: Pair your Parmigiano-Reggiano and honey with a glass of wine to take the experience to the next level. Opt for a dry, aromatic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling to balance the complexity of the cheese and honey. Alternatively, choose a sparkling wine like Prosecco or Champagne, as their bubbles and freshness pair beautifully with the salty cheese and sweet honey.

Creative Combinations

If you're feeling adventurous, try these creative ways to enjoy Parmigiano-Reggiano with honey:

• Honey Pasta: Take your taste buds on an indulgent journey by preparing a honey garlic pasta dish that incorporates Parmigiano-Reggiano. The combination of sweet honey and salty cheese in a warm, comforting pasta dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
• Honey-Dipped Sticks: Cut Parmigiano-Reggiano into sticks and dip them directly into honey. This unexpected pairing will surprise your palate and may even convert those who haven't considered Parmigiano-Reggiano as a table cheese.
• Truffle Salt: For an indulgent twist, sprinkle a touch of truffle salt onto the Parmigiano-Reggiano before drizzling with honey. The earthy notes of truffle will elevate the pairing, creating a luxurious and savoury experience.

Frequently asked questions