Bushra Griffith
Quince paste, or Membrillo, is a sweet and tart addition to any cheese board. In France, it is traditional to serve quince paste with various cheeses during the holidays. Quince paste is typically paired with hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Manchego, a classic pairing. However, it also goes well with soft cheeses like creamy Brie or Camembert. Other cheeses that pair well with quince paste include Parmigiano Reggiano, sharp Cheddar, Comte, Tomme de Brebis, and goat cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional pairing | Manchego |
| Hard cheese pairing | Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, Aged Comte |
| Soft cheese pairing | Brie, Camembert, Brillat Savarin, Tomme de Brebis |
| Other cheese pairings | Cheddar, Naked Goat, Ash-covered Goat Cheese, Aged Provolone, Whitelake's Driftwood, Bay Blue |
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What You'll Learn
Manchego is the classic pairing
Quince paste is a versatile delicacy that can be served with cheese, crackers, or bread, or as part of a cheese and charcuterie board. It is also used to stuff pastries and spread in cakes. In France, specifically Provence, the French have a tradition of serving quince paste (pâte de coing) with various cheeses during the holidays.
Manchego is traditionally paired with quince paste. Manchego is a mild, nutty, and delicious Spanish cheese made from rich sheep's milk. Its flavour is similar to that of Parmigiano-Reggiano, providing an ideal foil for fruit or quince paste. In Spain, Membrillo (quince paste) and Manchego cheese are inseparable. The salty, sweet, and sour flavours of quince paste complement the creaminess of Manchego cheese, creating a harmonious combination that delights the palate.
When creating a cheese board with quince paste, it is recommended to include a variety of textures and flavours. Having a mix of hard and soft cheeses, such as Manchego and Brie or Camembert, adds interest and appeals to different tastes. The creamy texture of Brie or Camembert pairs beautifully with the sweetness of quince paste, offering a delightful contrast.
To elevate your Manchego and quince paste pairing, consider serving the cheese at room temperature to enhance its flavour. Slice the Manchego into thin wedges and top them with corresponding slices of quince paste. Present them elegantly on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs or edible flowers, for a truly exquisite culinary experience.
For a more casual approach, create miniature Manchego and quince paste bites. Cut the Manchego into small cubes and skewer them with a thin slice of quince paste and a Marcona almond. This portable option makes for a delightful appetizer or addition to a grazing board, allowing your guests to savour the classic pairing in a single bite.
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Other hard cheeses to try
Quince paste is a versatile treat that can be served with a variety of hard cheeses. The traditional pairing is with Manchego, a nutty-flavoured Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk. Its flavour is similar to that of Parmigiano-Reggiano, another hard cheese that pairs well with quince paste.
- Aged Comte – choose one that has been aged for at least 24 months, as the older the cheese, the stronger the flavour. The cheese will form delicious crystals that add an extra texture to the pairing.
- Sharp Cheddar – a nice, white aged cheddar with a bite will complement the sweet notes of the quince paste. Any cheddar will work, so you can choose your favourite.
- Tomme de Brebis – this is a semi-soft sheep's milk cheese with a softer texture that isn't spreadable.
- Campo de Montalban – a similar Spanish cheese to Manchego, with a nutty flavour.
- Aged Provolone – a mild yet slightly sharp cheese that will complement the quince paste.
When creating a cheese board, it is a good idea to include a variety of textures and flavours, with a mix of hard and soft cheeses. Quince paste is soft, so including some hard cheeses will create a nice contrast.
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Soft cheeses to accompany quince paste
Soft cheeses are a great way to balance the sweetness of quince paste. While quince paste is traditionally paired with Manchego, a nutty Spanish cheese, soft cheeses like creamy Brie and Camembert are also popular choices. Brie is a stronger-tasting cheese, whereas Camembert is milder and tends to be less expensive. Both are versatile and pair well with quince paste and other toppings or spreads.
Another soft cheese option is Brillat Savarin, a triple cream cow's milk cheese with a very smooth texture. It is often served with quince paste on crackers or bread. Chevre, or goat cheese, is also a good choice for a soft cheese to pair with quince paste. It can be basic or fancy—for example, chevre rolled in ash or harissa chevre rolled in crushed almonds.
When creating a cheese board with quince paste, it's a good idea to include a mix of textures and flavours, with a variety of hard and soft cheeses. In addition to soft cheeses, quince paste can be paired with hard cheeses like Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Comte, and Tomme de Brebis. Quince paste is versatile and can be served with cheese on crackers, toast, or sandwiches, or even eaten on its own as a sweet treat.
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How to prepare quince paste
Quince paste is a sweet-tart fragrant preserve made with ripe quinces, sugar, and water. It is a firm, sticky paste that is perfect for slicing and serving with cheese. In Spain, it is known as "membrillo" and served with Manchego cheese. Here is a recipe for quince paste:
Ingredients
- Ripe quinces
- Sugar
- Water
Instructions
- Wash, peel, and core the quinces, reserving the cores and peels.
- Coarsely chop the quince flesh and transfer it to a large pan.
- Wrap the cores and peels in cheesecloth and add them to the pan.
- Pour in enough water to cover the quinces and boil until the fruit is soft, about 30-40 minutes.
- Transfer the quince pulp to a saucepan and add sugar. The amount of sugar should be equal to the weight of the fruit pulp.
- Cook and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Continue cooking and stirring frequently until the paste becomes very thick and has a deep orange color, about 1.5 hours.
- Grease a baking dish or line it with greased parchment paper.
- Transfer the quince paste to the baking dish, spreading it to a thickness of about 1.5 inches.
- Allow the paste to cool and dry in the oven at a temperature no higher than 125°F for about 1.5 hours.
- Cover the paste with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to serve, use a sharp knife to slice off the edges of the paste to create a neat block.
Quince paste can be served with a variety of cheeses, such as Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, sharp cheddar, aged Comte, and Tomme de Brebis. It is often served with a combination of hard and soft cheeses, such as manchego and brie.
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Other foods to serve with quince paste
Quince paste is a fantastic complement to a variety of cheeses, but what else can you serve it with? Here are some ideas for other foods to serve with quince paste:
Nuts and Fruits
Nuts and dried fruits are a great addition to any cheese board and can also be a wonderful pairing with quince paste. Try Marcona almonds (the fried and salted kind) or other nuts such as walnuts. For dried fruits, go for options that provide a mix of sweet and tart flavours, such as fresh blackberries or wine jelly.
Crackers
An assortment of crackers is always a welcome addition to any cheese board and can also pair well with quince paste. Look for crackers that are so tasty they could be happily eaten on their own, such as pita crackers or fig and olive crackers.
Bread
Bread is another option to serve with quince paste. You can spread the quince paste on a slice of bread, or use it as a filling for a sandwich or crostini.
Meat
Quince paste is not just for cheese boards; it can also be used as a glaze for baked meat dishes. Try whisking the paste with stock and spreading it over roast chicken or lamb shoulder.
Appetizers
You can also use quince paste as a filling for crowd-pleasing appetizers. Simply cut thawed puff pastry into strips, layer on some quince paste, goat cheese, and chopped rosemary, then bake until golden.
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Frequently asked questions
Quince paste is a sweet, floral-flavoured paste made from quince fruit. It is usually sold in squares and served in thin slices.
Manchego, a nutty-flavoured Spanish sheep's milk cheese, is the classic pairing for quince paste.
Hard and semi-hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Comte, and Tomme de Brebis are good options. For soft cheeses, creamy Brie or Camembert are good choices.
Quince paste can be served on a cheese board with a variety of cheeses, crackers, nuts, fresh fruit, and bread. It can also be spread on top of a slice of cheese or served as part of a charcuterie board with meats.
Quince paste can be found at specialty markets like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or Middle Eastern markets.
