The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Peppered Salami

Salami is a popular sausage with an intense flavour, usually made from a mix of minced pork, beef, wine, salt and spices. The most well-known kind is pepperoni. The salami family of sausages are typically salty, dry and highly seasoned, with strong flavours resulting from the curing process. When it comes to cheese pairings, the options are endless. A classic pairing is provolone, a curd, pulled cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture that complements the spiciness of salami. For a softer option, brie provides a creamy, mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami. The buttery texture of brie enhances the overall mouthfeel of the pairing. Another option is pecorino, a hard sheep's milk cheese with a sharp flavour that goes well with spicy types of salami.

Salami and cheese sandwiches

Choosing the Right Salami

When selecting your salami, consider the variety of flavours and textures available. Salami is typically made from a mix of minced pork, beef, wine, salt, and spices, resulting in a salty, dry, and highly seasoned sausage. For sandwiches, you can choose from various options, such as Genoa, Soppressata, Calabrese, or Milano salami. Each type of salami will add its unique flavour and texture to your sandwich.

Selecting the Perfect Cheese

The key to a great salami and cheese sandwich is balancing the flavours and textures of the cheese with the salami. Here are some cheese suggestions to pair with your salami:

• Provolone: A classic pairing with salami, provolone has a mild, slightly tangy flavour and a smooth texture that complements the spiciness of the salami. It is commonly found in salami sandwiches in Italian delis.
• Gouda: The creamy and slightly sweet flavour of gouda, especially smoked gouda, creates a nice contrast with the savouriness of the salami. You can use either young or aged gouda for different texture experiences.
• Aged Cheddar: Sharp and bold, aged cheddar stands up to the intensity of salami. The crumbly texture of well-aged cheddar adds a delightful contrast to the chewy salami.
• Brie: For a softer option, brie provides a creamy and mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami. Its buttery texture enhances the overall mouthfeel of the pairing.
• Manchego: With its firm texture and nutty flavour, manchego pairs beautifully with salami. The slight saltiness of manchego complements the savoury profile of the meat.
• Pecorino: If you're using a spicy salami like Calabria or Napolitano, consider pairing it with pecorino, a hard sheep's milk cheese with a sharp flavour.
• Asiago: Asiago is a hard, nutty, and slightly fruity cheese that pairs well with Milano salami, a lean salami stuffed with peppercorns. You can use sliced asiago or grate it over your sandwich.
• Goat Cheese: Goat cheese, often presented as a soft spread, has a rich and creamy flavour. It is versatile and can be served fresh or aged, with the latter providing a more pungent flavour. Sopressata, a delicate and thinly sliced salami, pairs well with goat cheese.
• Cream Cheese: For a simple and creamy option, consider using cream cheese. It can be spread on your bread or used as a base for rolling up salami slices, creating a fun and tasty appetizer.

Additional Tips:

• Balance Flavours: Match the intensity of the cheese with the boldness of the salami to ensure that one ingredient doesn't overpower the other.
• Texture Contrast: Vary the textures of your sandwich by pairing cheeses with different consistencies. This will add interest and make each bite a delightful sensory experience.
• Personal Preference: Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite pairings. Explore new tastes and create sandwiches that cater to your unique palate.
• Condiments: Enhance your sandwich with sweet and spicy condiments like mustard, honey, or marcona almonds. Pickles, such as homemade dill pickles, can also add a tangy crunch to your sandwich.
• Bread Options: While soft white or wheat buns are traditional, feel free to explore different types of bread such as tortillas, pita, ciabatta, or bagels to add variety to your sandwiches.
• Extra Meat: For heartier sandwiches, consider adding more meat like sausage, pepperoni, mortadella, or grilled chicken.
• Vegetables: Include vegetables like steamed green bell peppers, sliced tomatoes, or cucumbers to add freshness and crunch to your sandwich. You can also serve it with a simple side salad.

Remember, the beauty of a salami and cheese sandwich is in its customisation. Get creative, experiment with different combinations, and most importantly, enjoy the delicious blend of flavours and textures that you've crafted!

Salami and cheese roll-ups

To make salami and cheese roll-ups, you will need thinly sliced salami, cream cheese, and pepperoncini peppers. You can also experiment with different types of cheese and add-ins to find your favourite combination.

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 18 slices thinly sliced salami
• 18 slices pepperoncini peppers, drained, or more to taste

Instructions:

• Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons of cream cheese over one slice of salami.
• Top with 1 to 3 pepperoncini peppers.
• Roll up the salami around the cream cheese and peppers.
• Secure with a toothpick.
• Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Serve immediately.

Now, let's talk about the different types of cheese that go well with peppered salami:

• Provolone: This is a classic pairing with salami. Its mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture complement the spiciness of salami.
• Gouda: The creamy, slightly sweet flavour of Gouda contrasts nicely with the savoury taste of salami. Both young and aged Gouda can offer different texture experiences.
• Aged Cheddar: The sharp and bold flavour of aged cheddar stands up to the intensity of salami. The crumbly texture of well-aged cheddar adds a delightful contrast to the chewy salami.
• Brie: For a softer option, Brie provides a creamy, mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami. The buttery texture of Brie enhances the overall mouthfeel of the pairing.
• Manchego: Manchego, a firm texture and nutty flavour, pairs beautifully with salami. The slightly salty taste of Manchego complements the savoury profile of salami.

When making salami and cheese roll-ups, feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and add-ins. You can also serve them with a variety of condiments, such as mustard, olives, or roasted red peppers. Enjoy your delicious and creative salami and cheese roll-ups!

Salami and cheese on a charcuterie board

Salami and cheese are a classic combination, and a charcuterie board is a perfect way to showcase this delicious duo. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a mouth-watering salami and cheese spread:

Choosing the Right Cheeses

When selecting cheeses to pair with salami, consider the intensity of flavours and the variety of textures. Salami has a rich and robust flavour, so you'll want cheeses that can stand up to it or provide a delightful contrast. Here are some specific cheese suggestions:

• Provolone: This classic pairing has a mild, slightly tangy flavour and a smooth texture that complements the spiciness of salami.
• Gouda: The creamy, slightly sweet flavour of Gouda contrasts nicely with the savouriness of salami. Both young and aged Gouda can offer different texture experiences.
• Aged Cheddar: Sharp and bold, aged cheddar matches the intensity of salami. The crumbly texture of well-aged cheddar adds an interesting contrast to the chewy salami.
• Brie: For a softer option, Brie's creamy, mild flavour and buttery texture create a harmonious pairing with salami.
• Manchego: With its firm texture and nutty flavour, Manchego pairs beautifully with salami. The slight saltiness of Manchego complements the savoury profile of the meat.
• Asiago: This hard cheese is typically grated and has a nutty, slightly fruity flavour. It pairs well with Milano salami, a lean salami stuffed with peppercorns.
• Goat Cheese: Goat cheese, often presented as a soft spread, has a rich, creamy flavour and is very versatile. It can be served fresh or aged, with the latter providing a more pungent flavour. Goat cheese pairs well with delicate, thinly sliced Sopressata.

Creating a Balanced Charcuterie Board

When assembling your charcuterie board, aim for a balance of flavours and textures:

• Variety of Cheeses: Offer a selection of cheeses with different flavours and textures to keep things interesting. Include soft cheeses like Brie, semi-hard cheeses like Gouda, and hard cheeses like Asiago or Manchego.
• Salami Selections: Choose a variety of salami types, such as spicy, herb-crusted, or aged. This will provide a range of flavours and textures for your guests to explore.
• Condiments and Accompaniments: Add sweet and spicy condiments like honey, mustard, or marcona almonds. Olives, roasted red peppers, and bread (such as grilled baguette slices) can also enhance the overall experience.
• Presentation Tips: Arrange the salami and cheese on a nice wooden board, allowing space for guests to easily access the different options. Consider adding some garnishes like fresh herbs or edible flowers for a pop of colour.

Specific Pairing Ideas

• Peppered Salami with Manchego: The hot, peppery notes of the salami are balanced by the buttery smoothness of Manchego. Add some sweet honeycomb for an unbelievable flavour combination.
• Milano Salami with Asiago: The lean, peppercorn-studded Milano salami matches well with the nutty, fruity notes of Asiago.
• Genoa Salami with Provolone: This classic Italian deli combination features the salty pork of Genoa salami and the mild, slightly tangy flavour of Provolone.
• Spicy Salami with Pecorino: Spicy salami varieties like Calabria and Napolitano pair well with Pecorino, a hard sheep's milk cheese with a sharp flavour.
• Sopressata with Goat Cheese: The delicate, thinly sliced Sopressata is complemented by the creamy richness of goat cheese, especially when served with pasta or as a spread.

Remember, when creating your salami and cheese charcuterie board, feel free to experiment and find the combinations that you and your guests enjoy the most!

Salami and cheese with condiments

Salami and cheese are a classic combination, and with the addition of condiments, you can create a delicious and harmonious snack, sandwich, or charcuterie board. Here are some ideas for salami and cheese with condiments:

Salami, Cream Cheese, and Pepperoncini Roll-Ups

For a tasty appetiser or party snack, try making salami, cream cheese, and pepperoncini roll-ups. Simply spread softened cream cheese on a slice of salami, top it with pepperoncini peppers, and roll up the salami. Secure it with a toothpick and serve immediately. This combination of salty, creamy, and spicy flavours is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Salami Sandwich with Steamed Peppers and Cheddar

For a simple yet delicious sandwich, combine salami, steamed green bell peppers, and sharp cheddar cheese. The key is to use extra virgin olive oil to steam the peppers, which adds flavour and moisture to the sandwich. Assemble the sandwich by placing a slice of cheddar on the bottom bun, adding the steamed pepper, salami slices, and sprinkling salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy it right away while the peppers are still warm.

Charcuterie Board with Salami, Cheese, and Condiments

When creating a charcuterie board, variety is key. Choose a selection of salamis with different flavours, such as spicy, herb-crusted, or aged. For cheeses, opt for a range of textures and flavours, such as buttery Spanish Manchego, soft and robust Taleggio, bold and smoky Mahon Reserva, or creamy and mild Brie. Add sweet and spicy condiments like honey comb, marcona almonds, spicy mustard, olives, and roasted red peppers. Don't forget the bread, such as grilled baguette slices brushed with olive oil, to complete the perfect bite.

Classic Pairings

If you're looking for classic pairings, Genoa salami is typically paired with provolone cheese, while Milano salami stuffed with peppercorns goes well with Asiago cheese. For peppered salami, Manchego cheese is an excellent choice, as the salty and nutty flavours complement the meat.

When pairing cheese with salami, remember to balance the flavours and textures to create a delightful tasting experience. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your favourite pairings!

Salami and cheese with bread

Types of Salami

When it comes to salami, there are many varieties to choose from, each with its unique flavour and texture. Some popular options include:

• Genoa salami: A classic choice, often made with salty pork and found in American delis.
• Soppressata: A delicate, thinly sliced variety.
• Calabrese (spicy) salami: Adds a kick to your sandwich.
• Pepper salami: Coated in cracked peppercorns for an extra bite.

Types of Cheese

The right cheese can perfectly complement the rich and robust flavour of salami. Here are some excellent options:

• Provolone: A classic pairing with a mild, slightly tangy flavour and smooth texture that goes well with spicy salami.
• Gouda: The creamy, slightly sweet flavour of gouda contrasts nicely with the savouriness of salami. Try smoked gouda for an extra dimension of flavour.
• Cheddar: A sharp, bold-flavoured cheddar adds intensity to the pairing, and its crumbly texture contrasts with the chewy salami.
• Brie: For a softer option, brie provides a creamy, mild counterpoint to the robust flavour of salami, and its buttery texture enhances the overall mouthfeel.
• Manchego: This firm, nutty, and slightly salty cheese pairs beautifully with salami.
• Asiago: A hard, nutty, and slightly fruity cheese that is typically grated and pairs well with lean, peppercorn-stuffed Milano salami.
• Goat cheese: A versatile option that can be served fresh or aged, with a rich, creamy flavour that complements delicate, thinly sliced sopressata.

Bread and Accompaniments

The type of bread and accompaniments you choose can also enhance your salami and cheese experience:

• Bread options: Grilled baguette slices, soft buns (white or wheat), tortilla, pita, ciabatta, or bagel.
• Accompaniments: Olive oil, steamed green bell peppers, dill pickles, tomato-cucumber salad, honey, almonds, mustard, olives, and roasted red peppers.

Putting it all together

When assembling your salami and cheese creation, consider these tips:

• Balance flavours: Match the intensity of the cheese with the boldness of the salami to create a harmonious pairing.
• Texture contrast: Vary the textures of your cheeses and accompaniments to add interest to your plate or sandwich.
• Experiment: Try different combinations to discover new and exciting flavour pairings.

Whether you're creating a charcuterie board or a sandwich, the combination of salami, cheese, and bread is a delicious and versatile option that can be tailored to your taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different varieties and accompaniments to find your perfect pairing!

Frequently asked questions