Cheese And Onion Chutney: A Perfect Pairing Guide

There are many types of cheese that go well with onion chutney. For example, mature cheddar, brie, goat's cheese, and gruyere all complement onion chutney. If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can add butter, cheddar, gruyere, and onion chutney to your sandwich and grill it until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. You can also add other ingredients like bay leaves, black pepper, and mustard seeds to your onion chutney for extra flavour.

Mature cheddar and onion chutney sandwiches

A classic flavour combination, mature cheddar and onion chutney sandwiches are a delicious and indulgent treat. This simple yet effective pairing is a great way to elevate your lunch or snack. Here is a guide on how to make the most of these two ingredients in a sandwich.

Ingredients

• Bread of your choice
• Butter (optional)
• Mature Cheddar Cheese
• Onion Chutney

Method

Firstly, choose your bread. A good sandwich starts with a good foundation. For a classic sandwich, a sliced white or brown loaf will do, but for something a little fancier, you could opt for a crusty baguette, a soft brioche roll, or even a focaccia.

Next, you'll want to prepare your onion chutney. There are many recipes available, but a basic onion chutney consists of red or brown onions, olive oil, bay leaves, black pepper, salt, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and red wine. You can also add mustard seeds, garlic, paprika, or chilli flakes to taste. Simply caramelise your onions, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer until you reach a jam-like consistency.

Now it's time to assemble your sandwich. If you like, you can spread butter on your bread to add a little extra richness. On one slice, lay down a generous helping of mature cheddar. Mature cheddar has a strong, sharp flavour that will stand up to the sweetness of the onion chutney. You can use sliced or grated cheese, depending on your preference.

On the other slice of bread, spread a generous amount of onion chutney. You can adjust the amount to your taste, but a good slathering will provide a nice contrast to the cheese. Close your sandwich, and you're almost ready to eat!

Serving Suggestions

If you're making a grilled cheese, heat a frying pan to medium heat and cook your sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Serve hot with a bowl of tomato soup for the ultimate comfort food.

For a cold sandwich, this combination works well with some added salad leaves like rocket or spinach, and perhaps some sliced tomato. You could also add some sliced meat, like roast beef or ham, for a heartier sandwich.

Onion chutney and brie on baguette

To make this sandwich, start by slicing a large, fresh crusty baguette into four sections and grilling 8 rashers of smoked back bacon. Cut 200g of brie into slices or chunks. Heat your oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Slice the baguette sections vertically and fill each with 2 slices of bacon and a quarter of the cheese. Put them on a baking sheet. Cook in the oven for 5 minutes, until the bread is crisped up and the cheese is beginning to melt. Finally, top each sandwich with a dollop of red onion chutney and serve immediately.

This sandwich is a tasty and indulgent treat, perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch or a casual get-together with friends. The combination of melted cheese, crispy bacon, and sweet onion chutney is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, simply omit the bacon and prepare the baguette with brie and onion chutney only. You can also get creative and experiment with different types of bread, such as a pumpkin brioche or homemade baguette. Enjoy the versatility of this flavour combination and feel free to customise it to your liking!

Onion chutney and cheese on crackers

Choosing the Right Onion Chutney

When it comes to selecting an onion chutney, you can opt for a caramelised red onion chutney, which is a popular variety. This type of chutney offers a delightful mix of sweet and crunchy red onions, resulting in a delicious blend of pickled flavours. You can also experiment with other varieties, such as onion and chilli chutney, which will add a spicy kick to your crackers.

Selecting the Perfect Cheese

For a harmonious pairing, choose a strong, hard cheese like mature Cheddar to accompany your onion chutney. The sharpness of the Cheddar will balance the sweetness of the chutney. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try a strong blue cheese like Stilton, Blacksticks Blue, or Shepherd's Purse Northern Blue. The pungency of these cheeses will stand up to the bold flavours of the onion chutney.

Preparing the Crackers

Select a cracker that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the cheese and chutney. You can opt for plain crackers or choose a variety with seeds or herbs for added flavour and texture. To assemble, place a generous amount of cheese on each cracker, ensuring it covers the surface. Then, top the cheese with a dollop of onion chutney, spreading it evenly.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions

Arrange the prepared crackers on a serving platter, ensuring they are spaced evenly. If desired, garnish the crackers with fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary to add a touch of elegance. Serve them as an appetiser or enjoy them as a tasty snack. These crackers pair well with a variety of beverages, including ale or a glass of wine.

Storage and Leftovers

If you have any leftover onion chutney, it can be stored in sterilised jars and kept in the fridge for up to a year. Once opened, it will last for up to two months in the refrigerator. The crackers with cheese and chutney are best served fresh, but any leftover assembled crackers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two.

Onion chutney and cheese toasties

Ingredients

To make onion chutney and cheese toasties, you will need:

• Onion chutney (store-bought or homemade)
• Bread (sliced)
• Butter (room temperature)
• Cheese (sliced or grated) – mature cheddar, gruyere, or another cheese of your choice

Method

Start by assembling your toasties. Butter two slices of bread and place them butter-side down in a toaster, sandwich press, or frying pan. Spread a generous amount of onion chutney on one slice of bread, and top with cheese. Close the sandwich with the second slice of bread, butter-side up. Grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Tips and Variations

• If you want to make your own onion chutney, try a recipe for caramelised red onion chutney. This type of chutney has a sweet and sour flavour that pairs perfectly with cheese.
• When making your own onion chutney, you can add various ingredients to suit your taste, such as wholegrain mustard, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, or herbs like thyme or rosemary.
• For a more intense flavour, allow the chutney to cool and rest for a week before using it, as this will give the flavours time to develop.
• Onion chutney and cheese toasties can be served hot or cold and are a great addition to a meal or as a snack on their own.
• Get creative with your cheese choice! While mature cheddar and gruyere are great options, you can also try other cheeses like brie, blue cheese, or even a sturdy Swiss cheese.
• For an extra indulgent touch, serve your toasties with a bowl of tomato soup on the side.

Onion chutney and grilled cheese sandwiches

Ingredients

To make onion chutney and grilled cheese sandwiches, you will need the following ingredients:

• Onion chutney (caramelised or caramelised red onion chutney)
• Butter (room temperature)
• Cheese (cheddar, gruyere, mature cheddar, blue cheese, etc.)
• Bread

Method

Start by assembling your sandwich. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, place two slices of cheese, and spread a generous amount of onion chutney on top. Close the sandwich with the second slice of bread, buttered side up.

Grill the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. You can use a panini press, a grill, or a frying pan for this step. If using a frying pan, consider adding a teaspoon of butter to the pan to give the bread a crispy, golden finish.

Serving Suggestions

These sandwiches are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a bowl of hot tomato soup on the side for a comforting meal. They also pair well with ale, making them an excellent choice for a wintery day.

Variations

While the classic combination of onion chutney and cheddar or gruyere is hard to beat, you can also experiment with different types of cheese. Consider using mature cheddar, blue cheese, or even a sturdy Swiss cheese for a unique twist.

Storage

Onion chutney is an excellent condiment to have on hand, and it keeps well. You can store it in sterilised jars for up to a year at room temperature. Once opened, it will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two months.

Frequently asked questions