Cheese And Peach: A Perfect Pairing Guide

The sweet and juicy peach is a versatile fruit that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, making it a perfect ingredient for summer salads, grilled treats, and even sandwiches. From creamy burrata and mozzarella to tangy feta and goat cheese, the options are endless when creating flavourful combinations with peaches. Whether you're whipping up a stone fruit cheese board or experimenting with grilled peaches and blue cheese, the sweet-savoury contrast of peaches and cheese is a match made in culinary heaven.

Grilled peaches with blue cheese and basil

A sophisticated yet simple way to serve peaches, this recipe is perfect for summer entertaining. The sweet and savoury combination of peaches and blue cheese makes for a delicious appetizer or dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium peaches, halved
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
• 4 basil leaves, finely chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze/reduction

Method:

• Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat.
• Drizzle both sides of the peach halves with olive oil and place them on the grill, cut-side down.
• Grill for around 4 minutes in total, turning halfway through.
• Remove the peaches from the grill and top with the blue cheese, basil, and hazelnuts.
• Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the peaches and serve immediately.

Tips:

• If you don't have access to a grill, you can use a stove-top grill or even a frying pan to cook the peaches.
• To make your own balsamic glaze, simply simmer balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until it has reduced by half.
• If you're not a fan of blue cheese, you can try substituting it with goat cheese or camembert.

Goat's cheese and pickled peaches

Pickled peaches and goat's cheese is a delightful combination, offering a perfect balance of flavours and textures. This pairing is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches and dips.

Pickling the Peaches

The pickling process involves cutting peaches into halves or wedges, removing the stone, and then dicing or slicing the fruit. The peaches are then tossed in a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, sugar, and salt, and allowed to marinate for at least an hour. This process adds a tangy, acidic flavour to the sweet peaches, creating an intriguing contrast.

Goat's Cheese

Goat's cheese, also known as chèvre, is made from goat's milk and has a light, tangy, and creamy flavour. It can be whipped with a food processor and a splash of heavy cream to create a smooth and fluffy texture. The cheese can be served as a dip with breadsticks, pita chips, or crackers, or piped or spread onto sliced bread.

Combining the Flavours

When paired together, the tangy goat's cheese and pickled peaches create a delightful sweet and savoury combination. The sharpness of the cheese complements the sweetness of the peaches, while the creamy texture of the cheese balances the acidity of the pickles.

Dish Ideas

Grilled Texas Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Pickled Peaches

This dish involves preparing sandwiches with goat cheese, mint, and basil, grilled on brioche bread. The sandwiches are served warm with the pickled peaches as a side.

Pickled Peach and Goat Cheese Salad with Parma Ham

This salad features the pickled peaches and goat cheese, along with Parma ham, walnuts, and grilled ciabatta bread. The salty ham and acidic goat cheese complement the sweet pickled peaches, while the walnuts and grilled bread add texture and substance to the dish.

Whipped Goat Cheese with Grilled Peaches

This appetiser consists of whipped goat cheese served over toast with grilled peaches and homemade hot honey. The hot honey, made with honey, sliced chile, and red crushed pepper, adds a sweet and spicy kick to the dish.

Blue cheese, prosciutto, and peach

For an easy appetizer, lay out prosciutto slices and place a peach wedge at the edge of each slice. Season with salt and pepper, then top with basil strips and crumbled blue cheese. Roll up the prosciutto to enclose the peaches, creating a crispy and juicy bite-sized treat. Grill these for a warm appetizer or add them to a salad for an unexpected surprise.

Another option is to create a peach and prosciutto pizza with blue cheese. Start by sprinkling cornmeal on a metal baking sheet and stretching pizza dough into thin rounds. Bake the dough for 5 minutes, then remove it from the oven and add prosciutto and peach slices. Crumble blue cheese over the pizza, leaving a small border around the edges. Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the crust is browned, about 10 minutes. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil leaves before serving.

If you're looking for a fruity dinner party starter, try griddled peaches with prosciutto and blue cheese. Brush ripe, stoned, and quartered peaches with olive oil and season with black pepper. Heat a griddle pan, add the peaches, and cook until caramelised. Toss rocket leaves in olive oil and pile them onto plates with the cheese and prosciutto. Top with the griddled peach quarters and a dressing made by whisking together olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

The salty, savoury prosciutto and the creamy, pungent blue cheese complement the sweetness of the peaches in these dishes, creating a delightful combination of flavours and textures.

Grilled peach and cheese sandwich

A delicious and unexpected twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, this recipe combines the sweetness of peaches with the savouriness of cheese. It's a perfect summer lunch or dinner option and can be made in less than 20 minutes. You can also make it gluten-free and dairy-free by substituting the bread and cheese with gluten-free and vegan options.

Ingredients:

• Bread of choice (sourdough, challah, multigrain, or thick white bread work well)
• Cheese (cheddar, white cheddar, or vegan cheese)
• Peach (fresh or canned)
• Butter or oil
• Optional: spinach, arugula, basil, honey, ricotta cheese, balsamic glaze

Instructions:

• Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Halve and pit the peach, then brush both sides with butter. Place the peach halves on the hot grill for 4-5 minutes.
• Butter one side of each slice of bread.
• Assemble the sandwich by adding peach slices and cheese to one half of the bread. If using spinach, arugula, or basil, add them now. Drizzle with honey if desired.
• Top with the other slice of bread, buttered side up.
• Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. If using thick sourdough, press down with a potato masher or spatula while cooking.
• Serve immediately while the cheese is still hot and melted.

Tips:

• For a sturdier sandwich, choose a firm, sturdy bread such as sourdough or ciabatta.
• If you prefer a thicker sandwich, use Texas Toast. For a healthier option, choose multi-grain bread.
• You can also add crispy bacon, prosciutto, or balsamic glaze to the sandwich for extra flavour.

Burrata, grilled peaches, and sopressata

Grilled peaches, creamy burrata, and salty sopressata is a mouth-watering combination that showcases the versatility of ripe peaches and the creamy, indulgent texture of burrata. This dish is a delightful summer appetizer or snack, perfect for entertaining.

To prepare this dish, start by grilling the peaches. Cut ripe peaches in half, remove the pits, and brush the cut sides with oil. Place them on a preheated grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, or until grill marks appear and the fruit starts to caramelize. The grilling process enhances the sweetness of the peaches and adds a delightful charred flavour.

While the peaches are grilling, prepare the burrata. Burrata is a type of Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream, known for its soft texture and creamy flavour. Place the burrata balls on a platter or serving dish, arranging them aesthetically.

Once the peaches are grilled, let them cool slightly before slicing them. Arrange the grilled peach slices around the burrata on the platter. To add a crunchy texture and a touch of sweetness, sprinkle chopped pistachios over the peaches and burrata. You can also add a drizzle of honey to enhance the sweetness even further.

To incorporate the sopressata, you can create a charcuterie board-style presentation. Sopressata is a type of dry, cured Italian salami that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. Slice the sopressata thinly and arrange the pieces on the platter, creating a delicious contrast of colours and textures.

To serve, provide your guests with a knife so they can easily cut into the creamy burrata. This dish is best enjoyed family-style, allowing everyone to build their own bites. It pairs well with grilled crusty bread, such as an Italian or French loaf, which can be used to create crostini topped with the grilled peaches, burrata, and sopressata.

This combination of grilled peaches, burrata, and sopressata is a perfect example of how sweet and savoury flavours can come together harmoniously on a plate, creating a delicious and impressive summer treat.

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