Cheese And White Fish: A Perfect Pairing

Seafood and cheese is a culinary pairing that may raise some eyebrows, but it can be a delightful combination when done right. While Italian chefs tend to avoid mixing cheese and fish, the French have long embraced this pairing, and there are numerous ways to combine these two food groups harmoniously. When it comes to white fish specifically, the key is to choose a cheese that complements its subtle flavour and texture. So, what cheese goes with white fish?

White fish in cheese sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 dash nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 fillets white fish
• 4 side salads

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a saucepan, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat. Add the flour, nutmeg, and dry mustard, stirring to combine. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens. Add the lemon juice and cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

Place the fish fillets in a lightly buttered or margarine-coated baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the fish and place in the oven. Bake for 20-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish, until the fish is cooked through and the cheese is lightly browned. Serve with a side salad.

Tips for Cheese and Fish Combinations:

When pairing cheese with white fish, it's important to consider the delicate flavour of the seafood. Strong-flavoured cheeses can overwhelm the subtle taste of the fish. Mild, approachable, and well-known cheeses are often a safer choice. Here are some specific cheese and fish combinations to try:

• Feta cheese with baked white fish, tomatoes, and herbs.
• Parmesan cheese coating on fish, garnished with parsley or lemon.
• Mozzarella with jumbo shrimp parmesan or citrus-marinated seafood salad.
• Gruyere cheese sauce with scallops or other seafood.
• Cream cheese with salmon, either in sushi rolls or on a bagel.
• Blue cheese dipping sauce with jumbo shrimp.
• Cheddar cheese with fried fish sandwiches.

Baked halibut in champagne sauce with parmesan breadcrumb crust

Ingredients

• 2 halibut fillets, skin removed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup plain panko crumbs
• 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder

Method

• Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over both sides of the fish, then season both sides with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
• Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Place a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.
• Combine the panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, together on a plate.
• Dip the halibut in the panko mixture until evenly coated. Place the coated fish on top of the cooking rack.
• Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spray the top of each piece of fish with olive oil cooking spray.
• Place the baking sheet with the fish into the oven and cook for 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flaky.
• Remove from the oven and serve with a lemon wedge. Enjoy!

Tips

• This recipe works well with other white fish such as cod, haddock, or striped bass.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko crumbs.
• If you don't have a wire cooling rack, you can cook the fish directly on the baking sheet, but you will need to flip it over halfway through cooking to ensure both sides are crispy.
• If you want to add some extra flavour to the halibut, you can marinate it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour before coating it with the panko mixture. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs would work well.
• To make a complete meal, serve the halibut with roasted potatoes, boiled new potatoes, rice, or a tossed green salad.

Why This Recipe Works

Halibut is a firm, mild-flavoured white fish that is easy to cook and takes on a variety of flavours well. The combination of panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese in this recipe creates a crispy, crunchy crust that pairs perfectly with the flaky texture of the baked halibut. The lemon juice and parsley add a bright, fresh flavour to the dish, while the garlic powder provides a subtle savoury note. Overall, this recipe is a delicious and simple way to prepare halibut, resulting in a dish that is both tasty and texturally appealing.

Feta and salmon salad

Ingredients

The key ingredients for this salad are feta cheese and salmon, but you can also add various vegetables, greens, and dressings to enhance the flavour and texture.

For the salad base, you can use a mix of fresh greens such as arugula, romaine lettuce, or spring mix salad greens. These provide a peppery and hearty texture to the salad.

For vegetables, crisp options like bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions are a great choice. You can also add in some cherry or sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of colour and acidity. Kalamata olives and pickled onions can also be included for a tangy flavour.

The Salmon

When it comes to the salmon, you can use any variety you prefer. Cut the salmon into fillets or cubes, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and you can also add other seasonings like garlic powder and ground ginger to enhance the flavour.

The Feta

Feta cheese is a salty and tangy addition to the salad. It pairs well with the sweetness of the salmon and the freshness of the vegetables. Crumble the feta over the salad, allowing it to be distributed throughout the greens.

Assembly and Serving

To assemble the salad, combine the greens, vegetables, and feta in a large mixing bowl. You can also add in some nuts or seeds, such as roasted pepitas, for an extra crunch.

For the salmon, you can pan-sear, grill, or bake it according to your preference. Flake the cooked salmon into the salad, or cut it into chunks if you prefer.

For an extra flavour boost, you can make a dressing to drizzle over the salad. A simple option is a honey lemon vinaigrette, which adds a tangy and slightly sweet note to the dish.

Storage

If you have leftovers, it's best to store the salmon, salad, and dressing separately. The salmon can be wrapped in foil or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The undressed salad will stay fresh for up to seven days, while the dressing can be kept in a small airtight container.

Variations

You can also experiment with different ingredients and flavours to create your own unique feta and salmon salad. Here are some variations to consider:

• Use different types of greens, such as Tuscan kale, baby spinach, or romaine.
• Add extra vegetables like avocado, olives, or lentils.
• Try a different protein, such as chicken, steak, or shrimp.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as goat cheese or burrata.
• Create a marinade for the salmon instead of a dry seasoning.
• Use a variety of dressings, such as a honey-yogurt mix or a simple olive oil and lemon juice mixture.

Feel free to get creative and customise the salad to your taste preferences!

Best cheeses for a fish sandwich

The classic choice for a fried fish sandwich is cheddar cheese. Its accessible savouriness and saltiness offset the fried fish and pair well with sauces such as tartare or ketchup. It also melts easily and turns soft and stretchy when warm, helping to keep the sandwich together.

Mozzarella is another good option for fish sandwiches thanks to its pliability and gooeyness, which give a great mouthfeel when balanced against the crispy, fatty piece of fish. Its mild flavour means you might want to contrast it with a stronger component, such as tomato sauce or hot sauce.

Swiss cheese is a commonly used cheese in sandwiches as it melts well and has a subtle yet individual taste. It has a gentle flavour and light nuttiness that pairs perfectly with pub-worthy fried fish batter. It's also a good choice for a tuna melt, pairing with the briny taste of the tuna.

For an extra pop of flavour, sprinkle a little parmesan on your fish sandwich. Even a light sprinkling will give a fish sandwich savoury depth and add complexity. It pairs well with milder cheeses like mozzarella. However, use parmesan sparingly as too much will make it the primary flavour in your sandwich. It also doesn't melt as well as other cheeses, so it's better as a garnish on meltable options like cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella.

Pepper Jack is another cheese that gives a good balance of spice and creaminess. It's full of flavour thanks to the addition of spices, herbs, chiles, and garlic. It's also an excellent melting cheese and softens quickly due to its higher water content.

For a premium pull, try gouda. This Dutch cheese has a nutty edge, slightly caramelized notes, and creaminess. Its overall effect is pretty mild, so it won't get in the way of the main event of the fish.

Greek food: feta and white fish

While some people may be against combining fish and cheese, others believe that pairing the right cheese with the right type of seafood can create a delightful culinary experience. In fact, the practice of consuming seafood and dairy together is believed to date back millennia—for instance, ancient Romans consumed both cheese and a fish sauce named garum.

One type of cheese that pairs well with white fish is feta, which is often used in Greek cuisine. Feta is a briny, salty cheese that serves as a perfect foil to the delicate sweetness of fish. Here are some Greek food recipes that combine feta and white fish:

Greek-Style Baked Fish with Feta

This recipe involves baking a white fish, such as cod or halibut, with a topping of chopped tomatoes, olives, capers, and feta cheese. The fish is seasoned with lemon zest, pepper, and olive oil, and is typically served with rice or quinoa, and a green salad.

Fish Fillets with Feta and Tomatoes

This dish is prepared by broiling white fish fillets, such as flounder or talapia, with sliced onions, canned or fresh tomatoes, and butter. It is then topped with crumbled feta cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro.

Baked Halibut Steaks

This recipe combines halibut steaks with an Italian-style vegetable and feta cheese topping.

In addition to these recipes, feta cheese can also be baked by itself and served as an appetizer with pita chips or crusty bread. This simple dish involves baking a block of feta with bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

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