Bushra Griffith
Walnuts are a versatile nut that can be paired with various types of cheese. Their rich and slightly bitter flavour profile makes them an excellent match for aged cheddar, with its sharp and complex flavour. The nutty notes of the walnut complement the intense and savoury taste of cheddar, resulting in a satisfying combination of flavours. Walnuts also go well with blue cheese, especially when served with honey, and they can complement sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro. For a wine tasting party, walnuts and blue cheese can be paired with sweet wines like port or Madeira. Walnuts can even be made into a cheese log, which can be served with raw vegetables and crackers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Walnuts have a rich and slightly bitter flavor profile, making them versatile for pairing with various types of cheese. |
| Cheese pairings | Aged cheddar, blue cheese, sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro, soft cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort, and goat cheese. |
| Wine pairings | Cabernet sauvignon, Port, Madeira, and Sherry. |
| Other pairings | Honey, raw vegetables, crackers, and herbs. |
| Textures | Walnuts provide a crunchy texture that complements the creaminess of cheese. |
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What You'll Learn
Walnuts and aged cheddar
Walnuts and cheese are a fantastic combination, and walnuts are known for their versatility when it comes to cheese pairings. Walnuts have a rich, slightly bitter, and earthy flavour profile, making them an excellent match for various cheeses.
One classic pairing is walnuts with aged cheddar. The sharp, complex flavour of aged cheddar pairs beautifully with the nutty notes of walnuts, resulting in a satisfying harmony of flavours. The intensity of the cheddar is balanced by the earthiness of the walnuts, creating a dynamic and flavourful duo.
When serving walnuts with aged cheddar, consider enhancing the pairing with complementary elements. The crunch of walnuts provides a delightful textural contrast to the creaminess of cheddar, so playing with textures can elevate the overall experience. Additionally, a drizzle of honey can add a sweet touch that bridges the flavours of the two ingredients.
To further elevate this pairing, consider serving it with specific wines. Aged cheddar and walnuts both pair well with dry red wines, such as a robust Cabernet Sauvignon, Madeira, Sherry, or Port. These wines complement the sharpness of the cheddar and the nutty depth of the walnuts.
For a truly indulgent experience, create a cheese board featuring aged cheddar, walnuts, and some dark chocolate. The addition of dark chocolate brings a sweet and indulgent element to the savoury notes of the cheese and walnuts, creating a well-rounded flavour profile that is sure to impress.
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Walnuts with blue cheese
Walnuts and blue cheese are a classic combination that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to dips. The sweetness and nutty taste of walnuts complement the bold and pungent flavour of blue cheese, creating a dynamic and flavourful pairing. Here are some ways to incorporate walnuts and blue cheese into your culinary creations:
Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad
Create a delicious and healthy salad by combining walnuts and blue cheese with mixed salad greens. You can use a variety of lettuce leaves, such as baby spinach, arugula, or salad leaves of your choice. To add some extra flavour and texture, consider toasting the walnuts before adding them to the salad. You can also include other ingredients such as sliced pears, dried cranberries, or a drizzle of honey. For a simple dressing, use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, and add some lemon juice or balsamic vinegar to taste.
Creamy Blue Cheese Dip with Walnuts
For a more indulgent treat, try making a creamy blue cheese dip with walnuts. Simply combine blue cheese with ingredients like buttermilk, mayonnaise, chives, shallots, lemon juice, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Before serving, stir in some coarsely chopped toasted walnuts and top with additional chives. This dip goes well with celery sticks, cabbage leaves, and saltine crackers. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches or to dress up a BLT.
Other Combinations
In addition to salads and dips, walnuts and blue cheese can be paired in various other ways. For a quick and easy snack, simply drizzle honey over walnuts and enjoy them with a soft blue cheese such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort. Walnuts also pair well with aged cheddar, so you can create a delicious cheese board with blue cheese and cheddar, accompanied by walnuts and some crackers or bread.
When pairing walnuts and blue cheese, feel free to experiment with different varieties of each. For example, you can try using candied walnuts or a particular type of blue cheese, such as Danish Blue or Saint Agur, to find the combinations you enjoy the most.
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Sweet walnuts
Walnuts have a rich and slightly bitter flavour profile, making them a versatile nut to pair with various types of cheese. The earthy, less oily nut is excellent with aged cheddar, for example. The nutty notes of the walnuts complement the intense and savoury taste of the cheddar, resulting in a satisfying combination of flavours.
For a sweet walnut and cheese pairing, consider drizzling the walnuts with honey and serving them with blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. Honey walnut cream cheese is another option, which can be made by combining cream cheese, honey, and walnuts in a food processor and pulsing until creamy. This can be spread over toast, bagels, or even between two layers of a sponge cake.
If you're looking for a dairy-free option, there is a walnut "cheese" made from California Walnuts that has a salty, tangy cheese flavour. This can be served as a spread or formed into a log and aged to create a firmer texture similar to goat cheese.
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Spicy walnuts
When it comes to cheese, spicy walnuts pair well with blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort. The bold and pungent flavour of blue cheese goes well with the sweet and spicy notes of the walnuts. For a soft cheese option, drizzle honey over the blue cheese and walnuts for a sweet and sticky treat.
In addition to cheese boards, spicy walnuts can be tossed into salads, layered with yoghurt, or simply enjoyed as a snack on their own. Their versatility and flavour make them a delightful and unexpected addition to any meal or gathering.
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Walnut cheese
Walnuts have a rich and slightly bitter flavour profile, making them a versatile nut to pair with various types of cheese. This earthy, less oily nut is excellent with aged cheddar, for example. The nutty notes of the walnuts complement the intense and savoury taste of the cheddar, resulting in a satisfying combination of flavours.
Blue cheese is also perfect with walnuts, especially when paired with sharp cheddar and a glass of port or cabernet sauvignon. The bold and pungent flavour of blue cheese pairs remarkably well with the sweet and nutty taste of walnuts. The creamy and crumbly texture of blue cheese also complements the crunchy texture of walnuts, resulting in a dynamic and flavourful combination.
If you want to serve walnuts with soft cheese, drizzle the walnuts with honey and serve them with blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. The sweetness of the honey will balance out the strong flavours of the blue cheese, creating a delightful contrast.
Walnuts also complement sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro. These cheeses have a nutty flavour that will be enhanced by the walnuts, resulting in a rich and indulgent combination.
For a unique twist, try making walnut "cheese". This indulgent combination offers a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours, making it an elegant addition to any cheese board or appetizer spread. To make walnut "cheese", simply follow these steps:
- Place the walnuts in a sieve and let them age for 12 hours at room temperature.
- After ageing, you can either bake the walnuts or serve them as is.
- If serving, chill the walnut "cheese" in the fridge for about 20 minutes.
- Just before serving, sprinkle parsley on a piece of parchment paper and roll the walnut "cheese" log over it to coat.
- Pat any remaining parsley onto the sides and serve with raw vegetables and crackers.
- For an aged and baked cheese log, heat the oven to 200°F and place the aged cheese (still wrapped in cheesecloth) on a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until the cheese becomes set on the outside, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- You can also form the walnut mixture into a log and let it sit aside to age for a firmer cheese, similar to a log of goat cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Walnuts are a versatile nut that can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Some of the most popular combinations include:
- Aged cheddar—the sharp and complex flavor of aged cheddar pairs well with the nutty notes of walnuts.
- Blue cheese—the bold and pungent flavor of blue cheese is complemented by the sweet and nutty taste of walnuts.
- Sheep's milk cheeses like Petite Basque and Pecorino Ginepro—the flavor of these cheeses is enhanced when paired with walnuts.
- Soft cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort—when paired with walnuts and a drizzle of honey, these cheeses make for a delicious, indulgent combination.
When pairing cheese and walnuts, consider the different flavors and textures that will complement each other. The crunch of walnuts can provide a tasty contrast to the creaminess of cheese. If you're looking for a sweet and savory combination, try drizzling honey over the walnuts before serving them with cheese. You can also experiment with different types of walnuts, such as baking them with sweet or savory spices to add extra flavor.
Yes, one popular recipe is Walnut "Cheese" from California Walnuts. This recipe involves creating a walnut cheese log that can be served as a spread or aged to become firmer, similar to a log of goat cheese. The walnut cheese is coated in parsley and served with raw vegetables and crackers.
When serving cheese and walnuts, you might want to consider pairing them with wine. Some suitable options include:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Port
- Madeira
- Sherry
- Sparkling wines
