Lamb is a cornerstone of Greek and Middle Eastern cookery and is often served with a cooling yogurt sauce. But what about cheese? The answer depends on the type of lamb dish and your personal preference. For instance, if you're making lamb burgers, you might want to try goat's cheese, provolone, or halloumi. If you're making a lamb curry, you might want to skip the cheese altogether. For a leg of lamb, you could try ricotta, emmental, or feta.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cheese to pair with lamb chops | Ricotta salata, super creamy blue, Greek feta, Prufrock, Pont l’Évêque |
Cheese to pair with lamb meatballs | Washed-rind Prufrock, French Pont l’Évêque |
Cheese to pair with leg of lamb | Mizithra, Hudson Flower, Greek feta, Emmentaler |
Cheese to pair with lamb shoulder | Ricotta, goat cheese, feta |
Cheese to pair with lamb in general | Ricotta, emmental, feta, blue cheese, halloumi, provolone, pecorino romano, chevre |
What You'll Learn
Feta is a traditional pairing with lamb
Feta is often used in Greek cuisine, and lamb is a cornerstone of Greek cookery, so it is no surprise that the two go well together. Feta's vibrant, bright and milky flavour, with notes of lemon, pairs beautifully with lamb, especially when it is roasted with fresh herbs and garlic.
There are several ways to pair feta with lamb. One way is to crumble the feta over the lamb during the last few minutes of roasting, allowing the cheese to melt gently and mix with the meat's juices. Alternatively, a stuffing or marinade can be made by combining feta with herbs, garlic and lemon zest to infuse the lamb with Mediterranean flavours.
Feta is also a common topping for lamb gyros and can be served with lamb in sliders or kofte. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches.
The Perfect Cheeses to Pair with Lambrusco
You may want to see also
Ricotta and lamb is a good combination
Ricotta and lamb is a great combination, especially when it comes to lamb shoulder, shank, and leg. Ricotta is a creamy, soft cheese with a light texture, which can help balance the rich, earthy flavours of lamb.
Ricotta can be used to create a creamy sauce to accompany lamb. For example, a lemon-minted ricotta sauce can be made by combining ricotta with lemon juice and zest, mint leaves, olive oil, and seasoning. This sauce can be served with a rack of lamb, or with pasta and lamb ragu. The cool creaminess of the ricotta perfectly balances the rich sauce of the lamb ragu.
Ricotta can also be used as an ingredient in lamb meatballs, giving them a creamy yet light texture. Lamb and ricotta meatballs can be made by combining ricotta with bread, parmesan, herbs, spring onion, garlic, egg, spices, and lamb mince. These meatballs can be baked and then grilled with a tomato-based sauce, parmesan, basil, and radicchio.
So, if you're looking to pair cheese with lamb, ricotta is definitely worth considering, especially for lamb shoulder, shank, or leg dishes. Its creamy texture and mild flavour can complement the richness of lamb without overwhelming its delicate flavour profile.
Best Breads to Pair with Broccoli Cheese Soup
You may want to see also
Goat cheese is a tasty addition to lamb burgers
Lamb is a celebrated dish in Greek and Middle Eastern cookery, often served with a variety of warm spices and a cooling yogurt sauce. While lamb is not a common order in the United States, it is gaining popularity in other parts of the world. Lamb works well with olives, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon, rosemary, and cheese.
When it comes to cheese, experts recommend something mellow and bright to contrast the gaminess of the meat. For example, a super-creamy blue cheese or ricotta salata can be crumbled atop lamb chops to amplify the dish's savory notes.
When pairing goat cheese with lamb burgers, there are several creative ways to do so. For a direct infusion of flavor, try crumbling the cheese over the burgers during the last few minutes of grilling or cooking. This allows the cheese to melt and mingle gently with the meat's juices. Alternatively, a stuffing or topping that combines goat cheese with herbs, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon juice can add flavor and a Mediterranean twist to the lamb burgers.
Cheese and Pasta: The Perfect Pairing
You may want to see also
Blue cheese and lamb make a great kofte
Blue cheese lamb kofte is a simple dish to make and is a real crowd-pleaser. The combination of flavoursome lamb and pungent blue cheese is a match made in heaven. The recipe is straightforward: combine the lamb, onion, mint, cumin, garlic, and salt and pepper in a large bowl, then stir until well combined. Next, divide the mixture into equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. Flatten each ball and place a piece of blue cheese in the middle, before closing the lamb mixture around the cheese and sealing tightly. Thread the kofte onto skewers, chill in the fridge, and then cook on a barbecue plate or grill for around five minutes.
This dish is best served with a variety of sides, such as cauliflower rice, parsnip chips, and pear and parsnip chutney. However, as lamb is a very versatile meat, it can be served with a range of other sides to suit your taste.
If you're looking for a delicious and unique way to enjoy lamb, blue cheese lamb kofte is definitely worth trying!
The Best Cheeses to Pair with Mexican Beans
You may want to see also
Halloumi can be grilled with lamb
Halloumi is a versatile cheese that can be grilled, fried, or barbecued. It is often sold battered and fried as "vegetarian fish and chips" in the UK. It is a popular choice for vegetarians as it is a good source of protein. Halloumi is also a popular choice for grilling because of its dense texture and salty taste. It can be grilled on its own or with other ingredients such as zucchini, onions, and peppers.
Halloumi is a staple of Greek and Cypriot cooking and is often paired with lamb. Grilled lamb and halloumi kebabs are a delicious and hearty dish. To make this dish, you will need the following ingredients: lamb stew meat, halloumi cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, oregano, mint leaves, and pita bread. Cut the lamb and halloumi into 1-inch cubes, and thread them onto metal skewers, alternating with the tomatoes. Brush the skewers with a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs. Grill the kebabs on a high heat for about 6 minutes, turning once, until the meat and cheese are browned. Serve the kebabs with pita bread and a side of hummus.
Another option for grilling lamb and halloumi is to make wraps. To make the wraps, you will need minced lamb, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, rosemary, spices, halloumi cheese, tortilla wraps, and salad ingredients such as rocket, tomatoes, and red onion. Mix the lamb, breadcrumbs, onion, and spices together and shape them into small meatballs. Fry the meatballs in a pan until they are browned. In a separate pan, grill the halloumi until it is golden on both sides. Warm the tortilla wraps in the same pan as the halloumi. Fill the wraps with the salad ingredients, meatballs, and halloumi, and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice.
Halloumi and lamb is a classic combination that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you choose to make kebabs or wraps, grilling halloumi with lamb is a delicious way to enjoy this versatile cheese.
The Perfect Cheese Pairings for Parsnips
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Feta is a popular choice to pair with lamb, especially in Greek cuisine. Other options include goat cheese, ricotta, emmental, blue cheese, and provolone.
Feta is a tangy, sharp, and crumbly cheese that helps cut through the fattiness of lamb. It has a vibrant taste with notes of lemon, which pairs well with lamb that has been roasted with herbs and garlic.
Some dishes that use the lamb and feta pairing include lamb burgers, lamb meatballs, lamb koftes, lamb gyros, and lamb chops.
In addition to cheese, lamb pairs well with toppings such as yogurt, olives, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and rosemary.