Cheese And Pepper Jelly: Perfect Pairing For A Snack

Pepper jelly is a versatile condiment that can be paired with a variety of cheeses to create a delightful balance of flavours and textures. Cream cheese is a popular choice, with its cool, rich creaminess providing an excellent contrast to the spicy kick of the jelly. Other mild cheeses that pair well with pepper jelly include goat cheese, mozzarella, and havarti. For those who prefer a more robust pairing, bold and flavourful cheeses such as sharp cheddar, manchego, and gouda can also complement the sweet and spicy notes of the jelly.

Cream cheese and pepper jelly

To make this appetizer, simply place a block of softened cream cheese on a serving plate and top it with pepper jelly. You can heat the jelly slightly in the microwave to make it easier to spread or pour. Serve with crackers on the side—suggestions include Ritz, Wheat Thins, Triscuits, and Club crackers. For a festive touch, garnish with rosemary sprigs or sliced green onions.

This appetizer is a hit at parties and family gatherings because it is easy to make, transport, and customise. It requires no cooking and can be assembled in just a few minutes. The combination of sweet, spicy, and salty flavours is sure to please your guests.

Goat cheese and pepper jelly

Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is made from goat's milk and can be hard or soft, though the soft variety is more commonly referred to when talking about goat cheese. It has a tangy, zingy flavour and a creamy texture.

Pepper jelly, particularly red pepper jelly, is a tangy, savoury-sweet jelly that is often used as a glaze for meats, fish, and vegetables, or as a spread for sandwiches. It can be made from different types of peppers, such as the Caribbean Scotch bonnet pepper, and comes in various flavours, including spicy red pepper, pineapple, and habanero.

When serving goat cheese and pepper jelly, it is recommended to bring both to room temperature to avoid any separation in the cheese and to ensure the jelly is runny, creating a delightful dip. This combination can be served with crackers, crostini, cucumber slices, or fresh vegetables like baby carrots, radish slices, celery sticks, or baby sweet peppers for a low-carb option.

For a more substantial snack, consider spreading the goat cheese and pepper jelly on crackers or toast, or even using it as a topping for fried chicken.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz Goat Cheese, Room Temperature
• 16 oz Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
• 2 Cloves Garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup Chives, chopped
• 1/2 cup Pepper Jelly

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a food processor, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic, and chives. Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer the mixture to a bake-safe dish and bake for 15-20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Mix the pepper jelly so it becomes runny, then pour it over the baked cheese.
• Serve with crackers, crostini, or your favourite dippers.

This dip is best enjoyed warm, but it can also be served at room temperature. The contrast between the creamy goat cheese and the sweet and spicy pepper jelly will surely be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering or as a special treat for yourself.

Blue cheese and pepper jelly

When it comes to pepper jelly, a good option is to go for a spicier variety such as a habanero-based jelly. The heat from the jelly will be nicely tempered by the cool creaminess of the blue cheese. The sweet and spicy notes of the jelly will also prevent the cheese's pungency from being overwhelming.

For a charcuterie board, consider adding crackers to provide a textural contrast. Wheat crackers or Triscuits are popular choices, but for a less sweet option, you could try ak-mak crackers, which are made from wheat but are not sweet.

You could also add some fresh fruit to the board, such as green apple slices, which will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese and spicy jelly.

For a more substantial snack, blue cheese and pepper jelly can be served on toasted sesame crackers or even on a bagel. The toasty flavour of the crackers or bagel will enhance the sweetness of the jelly, and the creaminess of the cheese will be a delicious counterpoint to the crunchiness of the crackers or bagel.

For a show-stopping appetiser, try baking the brie and serving it warm with the pepper jelly. The warm, creamy cheese will be a delightful contrast to the sweet and spicy jelly, and the combination is sure to impress your guests.

Brie and pepper jelly

Baked brie with pepper jelly is a simple, elegant, and quick appetizer to dress up a platter. It is a combination of creamy, salty, and sweet flavours.

To make this appetiser, you will need:

• One small wheel of brie (about 8 ounces)
• Pepper jelly
• Puff pastry
• Crackers or crostini
• Fresh fruit or vegetables

First, preheat the oven to 400°F. Then, unfold the puff pastry on a sheet of parchment paper and gently cut the wheel of brie in half lengthwise. Place one half of the brie, rind side down, on the pastry and spread a layer of pepper jelly over the cheese. Place the other half of the brie, rind side up, on top, almost like a sandwich.

Wrap the puff pastry around the cheese, sealing the edges shut so that the melted cheese and jelly don't leak out. Invert the pastry-wrapped cheese onto a lightly greased baking dish, with the seam side down. You can also cut out decorative shapes from the leftover pastry and use them to decorate the wrapped cheese.

Brush the pastry with an egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve with crackers, bread, and fresh fruit like apples, pears, or strawberries.

You can also serve baked brie with pepper jelly without the puff pastry. Simply place a wheel of brie in a baking dish and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F. Then, heat some pepper jelly and spoon it over the baked brie before serving with crackers.

This appetiser can be served as part of a charcuterie board, paired with cured meats, and grilled vegetables like carrots and eggplant. It is a delicious and elegant way to impress your guests or enjoy a tasty treat!

Cheddar and pepper jelly

For a simple appetizer, try spreading pepper jelly on a block of cream cheese and serving it with crackers on the side. You can also bake the cream cheese and pepper jelly, topping it with bacon and serving it with pita chips.

If you're looking for something more involved, try making cheddar thumbprint appetizers. These are small balls of dough made from cheddar, flour, and butter, baked in the oven, and filled with pepper jelly.

For a charcuterie board, you can include aged cheddar and pepper jelly, along with cured meats and grilled veggies.

Frequently asked questions