Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is a versatile and popular ingredient, but it's not to everyone's taste. Its distinctive sharp, tangy, and salty flavour and crumbly texture are loved by some, but the strong, pungent aroma and blue veins can be off-putting to others. If you're looking for an alternative to blue cheese, there are several options that can provide similar textures and flavour profiles. Feta, goat's cheese, and cheddar are popular substitutes, while ricotta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese can add a similar creaminess to dishes. For those wanting to avoid dairy altogether, fermented bean curd or tofu cheese can provide a vegan alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Crumbly, creamy, grate-able, melt-able |
| Flavor | Sharp, tangy, salty, sweet, rich, intense |
| Color | White, orange, or yellow |
| Health | High in fat and calories, good source of calcium, contains probiotics |
| Storage | Can be stored for months in the refrigerator, can be frozen |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese substitutes
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient with a unique, strong flavour and crumbly texture. It is often used in salads, pasta dishes, and dressings, and can be melted into a sauce or used as a dip.
If you're looking for an alternative to blue cheese, there are several substitutes that can be used, depending on the desired flavour and texture.
Feta cheese is a popular substitute for blue cheese. It has a similar salty and tangy flavour, and a crumbly texture. Feta can be used in salads, sandwiches, or melted on pizzas, similar to blue cheese.
Goat cheese is another option, particularly for those seeking a strong flavour. Fresh goat cheese is tangier than blue cheese but lacks the distinctive 'blue' flavour. However, when combined with black pepper, it can create a similar overall experience.
Cream cheese, while milder in flavour and smoother in texture, can add a creamy element to dishes. It can be combined with tangy ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar to create a spread or dip that mimics some aspects of blue cheese.
Ricotta cheese is also moist and creamy and can be used as a substitute in sauces or dishes where creaminess is desired. However, it cannot fully replicate the strong flavour of blue cheese.
Other substitutes include sour cream or mayonnaise, which have a mild flavour but a similar creamy texture, and cottage cheese, which has a moist and curdy texture and a tangy flavour. For a salty, savoury element, Parmesan cheese can be used, though it differs significantly in texture and flavour.
In addition to cheese substitutes, walnuts, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and avocado chunks can be used to replace the flavour and texture that blue cheese adds to dishes.
Mastering Mac and Cheese, Heston Style
You may want to see also
How to store blue cheese
Blue cheese is a tricky type of cheese to store. The delicate cheese paste with its blue veining can easily dry out and lose its surface moisture. If wrapped too tightly in plastic or paper, blue cheese can grow unwanted bacteria due to trapped moisture, which can make it inedible.
To avoid this, blue cheese should be stored in a high-humidity environment. One option is to use a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates humidity and has a breathable back panel to allow a gentle flow of fresh air around the cheese. The Cheese Grotto can be stored in the fridge or on the counter. If you want to keep your blue cheese for as long as possible, store it in the fridge. However, storing it on the counter will mean it's ready to eat at any moment and you won't need to take it out of the fridge an hour before eating.
If you don't have a Cheese Grotto, you can store blue cheese in glass jars or sealed plastic bags in the fridge. Make sure to lift the lid regularly to let fresh air in. Blue cheese in sealed packages can be stored in the refrigerator for months. It can also be frozen, although this is usually unnecessary due to its long life in the fridge.
Be aware that blue cheese should be stored separately from other cheeses, as the Penicillium roqueforti mould can spread to nearby cheeses. This is also true of mould spores on cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.
The Cheesy Appeal of Queso Fresco
You may want to see also
Health benefits of blue cheese
Blue cheese is a bold, tangy, and flavoursome cheese with a pungent aroma and a symphony of flavours. It is renowned for its strong, sour taste and unique texture. Despite its distinctive characteristics, blue cheese offers a surprising variety of health benefits.
Firstly, blue cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones. Calcium plays a crucial role in forming tooth enamel, the hard outer surface of the teeth that protects them from extreme temperatures. Regular consumption of calcium-rich foods like blue cheese helps to maintain bone health, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and manage visceral fat around the abdomen.
Secondly, blue cheese contains a compound called spermidine, which is believed to delay ageing and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Spermidine has a positive effect on cardiac muscle cells and other parts of the cardiovascular system, potentially contributing to the "French paradox," where lower rates of cardiovascular disease are observed despite higher saturated fat consumption.
Additionally, blue cheese is a good source of protein, especially for those who are lactose intolerant. It also contains vitamins and minerals that support immune, cardiovascular, and cognitive functioning.
While blue cheese offers these health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation due to its high levels of sodium, saturated fat, and calories. It is also important to store and consume blue cheese safely to avoid spoilage, as mould present in spoiled blue cheese can produce harmful mycotoxins.
Blue cheese can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including salads, pizzas, wraps, omelettes, tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, and as a topping for meats and fruits. Its versatility and distinctive flavour make it a popular choice for cheese enthusiasts worldwide.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A Pungent, Tangy Aroma Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blue cheese recipes
Blue cheese is an acquired taste, but it can be a delicious ingredient in many recipes. Here are some ideas for dishes that use blue cheese:
Salads
Blue cheese is a great addition to salads, especially when paired with sweet or crunchy ingredients. Try a Christmas salad with arugula, spinach, roasted pecans, sliced strawberries, and a lemon shallot vinaigrette. Alternatively, a classic Cobb salad with blue cheese is always a good option. For a more robust salad, combine roasted onions and squash with grains, nuts, and blue cheese.
Dips
A quick blue cheese dip is a popular appetizer and can be made with Gorgonzola cheese and served with toasted pecans or walnuts. For a healthier option, try a dip made with fresh avocado, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and a dollop of hummus for a tangy twist.
Pasta
Pasta dishes are a great way to incorporate blue cheese. Try a refreshing pear pasta by combining pear cubes with lemon juice, butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Alternatively, a healthy pasta dish with walnuts, spinach, and leeks is a satisfying option that lets the blue cheese shine.
Pizza
Blue cheese is an excellent topping for pizza, especially when paired with vegetables. Try a vegetarian pizza with spinach, walnuts, mushrooms, and blue cheese, or a mushroom pizza with blue cheese. For a meat option, a spicy chicken wing pizza with blue cheese dressing and celery is a tasty choice.
Meat Dishes
Blue cheese is a fantastic pairing with beef and steak dishes. For an elegant dinner, try a beef Wellington with lean fillet steak spread with Stilton and wrapped in pastry. Alternatively, a simple steak lunch with skin-on wedges and blue cheese is a tasty option. Blue cheese also works well with chicken, such as in buffalo chicken wraps or poppers.
Other Ideas
Blue cheese is versatile and can be used in many other ways. Consider stuffed strawberries, olives, or even a unique take on macaroni and cheese. Baked figs with blue cheese and walnuts are a delightful combination, as are mini phyllo cups filled with fig jam and blue cheese.
Remember, a little blue cheese goes a long way, and you can always adjust the intensity to your taste!
Ricotta Cheese: Appearance and Taste Profiled
You may want to see also
How blue cheese is made
Blue cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or even buffalo milk, which may be raw or pasteurized. The milk diet of the animals, such as summer grasses or winter hay, and their grazing location, such as Ireland or Ecuador, can create variables in cheesemaking. The cheesemaker can also affect the outcome of a given blue cheese in terms of the amount of piercing they do to the wheels, how the cheese is ripened, and for how long.
The main method of making blue cheese is a piercing method. All blue cheeses start as simple-looking white wheels that are then pierced with stainless steel needles to create crevices to allow oxygen to interact with the cultures in the cheese and enable the blue mold to grow from within. The mold is from one or more strains of the genus Penicillium, specifically Penicillium roqueforti, but these are not the same strains that might be used in antibiotics. The mold is injected into the curds in a process called interior mold ripening.
After the curds have been ladled into containers to be drained and formed into a full wheel of cheese, the Penicillium roqueforti inoculum is sprinkled on top of the curds along with Brevibacterium linens, a type of bacteria responsible for foot and body odor. The curd granules are then knit in molds to form cheese loaves with a relatively open texture. Whey drainage continues for 10 to 48 hours, with the molds inverted frequently to promote this process. Salt is then added to provide flavor and act as a preservative. The final step is ripening the cheese by aging it. A fermentation period of 60 to 90 days is usually needed before the flavor of the cheese is typical and acceptable for marketing.
Petit Cheese's Butthole Smell: Why Does It Stink So Much?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is any cheese made with blue Penicillium moulds. It has a strong, pungent aroma and a distinctive blue vein appearance.
Blue cheese has a sharp, tangy, and creamy flavour. It can range from subtle to intense, with a salty finish.
Some substitutes that have a similar texture and flavour profile include feta, goat cheese, and gorgonzola. Other options that can add creaminess to dishes are cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese.
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in salads, pasta dishes like gnocchi and ravioli, mashed potatoes, or as a topping for steak, burgers, and pizzas. It also pairs well with fruits like pears and apples.
