Cheese And Wine: Perfect Pairings For Mulled Wine

When the weather turns chilly, there's nothing like a warm mug of mulled wine to keep you cosy. But what should you eat with it? The answer is cheese. Salty, creamy cheeses like Blue Cheese, Roquefort, Wensleydale, and Camembert are all excellent choices. If you're feeling fancy, try making some cheese straws or blue cheese cookies. If you're vegan, go for a cashew nut-based cheese or something with a strong flavour. And don't forget the crackers!

Blue cheese, Roquefort, Wensleydale, and other salty cheeses

Blue cheese, in particular, is a good match for heavily spiced mulled wines, with their cinnamon and clove flavours. The saltiness and tang of Roquefort also work well with these spices, and the creaminess of the cheese will complement the wine's full body. Wensleydale, too, is a good choice, especially if you opt for a variety flavoured with berries, which will echo the fruity notes of the wine.

If you're looking for a vegan option, try a cashew nut-based cheese with a strong flavour.

Puff pastry cheese straws and blue cheese cookies

When it comes to serving food with mulled wine, it is recommended to go in a savoury direction with cheese and bread. Here are some ideas for cheese-based snacks that would be delicious served with mulled wine:

Puff Pastry Cheese Straws

A crowd-pleasing party appetiser, puff pastry cheese straws are easy to make and combine two glorious ingredients – flaky, buttery puff pastry and sharp cheese. You can use a combination of Gruyere and Parmesan, or switch it up with other melty cheeses like Havarti or Cheddar.

To make the cheese straws, start by rolling out a sheet of puff pastry into a rectangle. Brush the pastry with egg wash, then sprinkle with cayenne pepper and paprika. Next, sprinkle over your chosen grated cheese, pressing it gently into the pastry. Cut the rectangle into strips, twist each strip, and lay them on a baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden.

Blue Cheese Cookies

If you're a fan of blue cheese, you might enjoy these Saint Agur Blue Cheese Sablés. They are sweet and buttery with a strong blue cheese flavour. To make the dough, beat together room-temperature butter and blue cheese until completely blended, then add sugar and salt and beat until well mixed and creamy. Next, add two egg yolks, one at a time, and finally stir in the flour. Form the dough into a log, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for four hours. Slice the log into cookies and bake until the edges are light brown.

These cheese straws and cookies would be perfect served with a glass of mulled wine!

Mince pies and other festive sweets

Mince pies are a classic British festive treat and a great snack to pair with mulled wine. This sweet and savoury pie is enjoyed across the UK during the holiday season and can be easily made at home or bought from a store. They are traditionally made with a shortcrust pastry and filled with mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and brandy or rum.

If you're looking for more festive sweets to pair with your mulled wine, here are some options:

• Gingerbread: Gingerbread cookies or cakes are a perfect match for mulled wine, especially if they are slightly chewy or have a spicy, buttery flavour.
• Fruit Cake: A slice of rich fruit cake can complement the spices and flavours of mulled wine.
• Stollen: This German Christmas cake, made with dried fruit and often marzipan, is a traditional treat enjoyed with mulled wine.
• Panettone: An Italian sweet bread with dried fruit, often served toasted and buttered, can be a delicious pairing with mulled wine.
• Lebkuchen: Traditional German gingerbread cookies, sometimes decorated with piped frosting, can add a sweet and spicy touch to your mulled wine experience.
• Pepparkakor: These Swedish gingersnaps are often served with glogg, the Swedish version of mulled wine.
• Christmas Cookies: Various types of Christmas cookies, such as sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies, can be a delightful treat to enjoy with your mulled wine.

So, whether you're curling up with a book or hosting a holiday gathering, consider pairing your mulled wine with mince pies and exploring other festive sweets from different cultures to enhance your winter warm-up experience.

Pigs in blankets and other savoury festive snacks

Pigs in blankets are a classic festive snack, and they go perfectly with a glass of mulled wine. The salty, crispy bacon pairs well with the sweet and spicy wine, and the contrast of textures is delightful. If you want to offer a vegetarian option, you can also make pigs in blankets with vegetarian sausages.

If you're looking for more savoury festive snacks to serve with your mulled wine, here are some ideas:

• Sausage rolls: another classic option that will satisfy your guests' savoury cravings. Again, you can offer vegetarian sausage rolls to cater to different dietary needs.
• Roasted chestnuts: simple yet delicious, and perfect for a cosy winter evening.
• Puff pastry cheese straws: the richness of the cheese straws is an excellent counterpoint to the warm spiciness of the mulled wine.
• Blue cheese cookies: these cookies with a little cayenne for an extra kick will be a hit with the mulled wine.
• Savoury nibbles: other savoury options that go well with mulled wine include roasted meats and vegetables, deep-fried foods like pork schnitzel or mozzarella sticks, and traditional Swedish dishes like pickled fish and crackers.

Dark chocolate-based desserts

Dark Chocolate Mousse

A light and airy mousse with a touch of ground dried chipotle pepper to enhance the flavour of the dark chocolate. For those who prefer a milder taste, the spice can be omitted, or you can substitute strong coffee for hot water to add a subtle coffee hint.

Dark Chocolate Cake

This highly versatile cake can be baked as a layer cake, cupcakes, or Bundt cake. It is a pastry chef-approved recipe, described as "the only chocolate cake I will make from now on".

Dark Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes

A unique combination of dark chocolate and bacon, topped with an extra dark frosting. This creative twist on traditional cupcakes is sure to impress and satisfy.

Chocolate Orange Fondue

A fun and interactive dessert perfect for a romantic night or family gathering. This fondue features dark chocolate, orange juice, orange peel, and orange liqueur for a burst of citrus flavour. Dip an array of treats, from strawberries to pretzels, for a delightful experience.

Salted Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Caramel Truffles

Indulge in the decadence of homemade truffles with a combination of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel. This recipe may require a bit of effort, but the result is well worth it, yielding beautiful and delicious treats.

Dark Chocolate Soufflé

A soufflé can be a challenging dish to master, but with easy-to-follow directions, even a novice can succeed. This dark chocolate soufflé is light, romantic, and perfect for an intimate dinner at home.

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