Andy Montoya
Swiss cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its unique flavour and melting properties make it a popular choice for cooking and fondue. When it comes to pairing cheese, the key is to combine meltability with flavour intensity. Swiss cheese has a mild, nutty flavour and melts easily, making it a good match for other cheeses that complement its taste and texture. So, which cheeses pair well with Swiss cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese that melts stringy | Swiss |
| Cheese that pairs well with Swiss | Gruyere, cheddar, ham and Swiss |
| French onion soup with Swiss cheese toast |
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French onion soup
The defining feature of French onion soup is its crown of broiled cheese, which adds a decadent touch and a delightful mouthfeel. The cheese should complement the soup without overpowering the other flavours. It should melt easily, grate finely, and have a touch of pull without being oily.
When it comes to cheese pairings, Swiss cheese is a popular choice for French onion soup. Swiss cheese melts beautifully and adds a nutty flavour that pairs well with the caramelised onions. It can be used on its own or in combination with other cheeses. Some classic pairings include Swiss and Gruyère, a type of Swiss cheese with a nutty flavour and earthy notes that perfectly complement the soup's beefy base and onions. Other popular cheeses to pair with Swiss include Fontina, Provolone, and Parmesan. These cheeses can be used in various combinations to create a rich and indulgent flavour profile.
When preparing French onion soup, the soup is ladled into oven-safe bowls, topped with bread, and layered with cheese. The bowls are then placed in the oven and broiled until the cheese is melted and slightly browned, creating a bubbly, golden-brown crust. The soup is served hot, with the cheese still bubbling, for the ultimate indulgent experience.
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Ham and Swiss
Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. One classic pairing is ham and Swiss cheese. This combination is a favourite for a reason, as the salty, savoury ham is complemented by the creamy, rich Swiss cheese. This pairing can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to stuffed chicken breasts.
One option for a ham and Swiss dish is to create a warm, rich, and creamy Swiss cheese dip. This can be served as an appetizer with thin, crunchy slices of French bread. The dip can be prepared ahead of time and then baked just before serving, making it a convenient option for entertaining.
Another option is to create a stuffed chicken breast. The chicken breast is stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, creating a tasty surprise. This dish is perfect for a hearty meal and can be paired with a green salad. The leftovers also reheat well, making it a convenient option for meal prep.
For a quick and easy option, consider making ham and Swiss sliders. These little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts, creating a warm and gooey treat. They are perfect for a crowd and can be served as an appetizer or a main course. The leftovers also keep well in the fridge and make a lovely cold snack.
In addition to these options, ham and Swiss can be used in a variety of other dishes such as Reubens or chicken cordon bleu. The key to success is to experiment and find the combinations that you enjoy the most. Swiss cheese is a great melting cheese, so it is perfect for dishes where you want a creamy, gooey texture.
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Chicken cordon bleu
The classic combination of Swiss cheese and ham in Chicken Cordon Bleu is a popular choice and pairs well together. Swiss cheese has a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavour that goes well with the saltiness of the ham. The cheese also melts well, creating a creamy texture that complements the other ingredients.
However, you can easily experiment with different types of cheese to add your own twist to the dish. Some popular alternatives to Swiss cheese include:
- Provolone: This cheese has a slightly more tangy flavour than Swiss cheese, adding a sharp and pungent note to the dish.
- Cheddar: Cheddar cheese has a stronger, sharper flavour that can add a nice kick to the Chicken Cordon Bleu.
- Mozzarella or Gouda: These cheeses have a milder flavour compared to cheddar or provolone, but still offer a different taste experience from Swiss cheese.
- Gruyere: Using Gruyere cheese with prosciutto instead of ham can elevate the dish, giving it a restaurant-quality taste.
No matter which cheese you choose, the key to a successful Chicken Cordon Bleu is to ensure the chicken is pounded thin enough to roll up easily and securely. You can also add a simple sauce, such as mayonnaise and mustard, or a more complex Dijon cream sauce with Worcestershire sauce and parmesan cheese.
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Fondue
A classic Swiss fondue is made with a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses like Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and Emmentaler. Other good options include Raclette, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, Gouda, Fontina, and aged mountain cheese. For a smoother fondue, grate the cheese instead of chopping it. You can also add cornstarch to the mix.
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Grilled cheese
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its nuanced flavour and great pull/string texture. It also pairs well with almost any protein.
Mozzarella is another good melting cheese that can be used as a foundation for grilled cheese sandwiches as it melts and gets stringy without becoming too oily. It can be combined with cheddar and parmesan for extra flavour.
White and yellow cheddar are also popular choices for grilled cheese, with the white variety providing good meltability and the yellow adding colour. Gruyere is often added to cheddar to smooth out its flavour and add creaminess.
For a more nuanced take on a grilled cheese sandwich, a blend of cheeses can be used. A combination of meltability and flavour intensity should be considered when blending cheeses. For example, dry mozzarella and American cheese melt gooey, while Gruyere and some cheddars melt stringy. Parmesan adds a distinct flavour and stretchiness, but it doesn't melt well on its own, so it's best to start with grated Parmesan.
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Frequently asked questions
Swiss cheese melts stringy, so it would go well with cheeses that also melt stringy, like Gruyere and some cheddars.
French onion soup is often topped with melted Swiss cheese on toast. Swiss cheese is also used in ham and Swiss sandwiches, Reubens, and chicken cordon bleu.
Swiss cheese has a rich and creamy flavor. Other creamy cheeses include mozzarella and American, which melt gooey, and Gruyere, which melts stringy.
