Garlic's Perfect Cheese Partners: A Flavorful Adventure

Garlic and cheese are a match made in heaven, and there are many types of cheese that go well with garlic. For garlic bread, mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar are popular choices, while parmesan, gruyere, and swiss cheese are also great options. If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, a combination of mozzarella and a sharper cheese like cheddar or gruyere will give you that desired gooey, creamy texture. For something a little different, try black garlic with goat's cheese and crackers.

Cheeses that go with garlic

Mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar on French bread

To make this garlic bread, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise. Combine melted butter, minced garlic, and dried herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano. Brush this mixture evenly over the bread. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar cheese over the top, ensuring an even distribution. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. For an extra golden finish, turn on the broiler for the last minute of cooking, but keep a close eye on it as broilers can be unpredictable.

This garlic bread is a tasty side dish that goes well with pasta, salad, or soup. It's a quick and easy recipe that can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Parmesan, cheddar, or Swiss for garlic bread

Garlic bread is a delicious treat, and a great way to make it even better is to add cheese! But what kind of cheese goes best? Well, it depends on your personal preference. If you like your garlic bread extra cheesy, then a strong cheese like cheddar or parmesan might be the way to go. If you prefer a more subtle flavour, then a milder cheese like Swiss or mozzarella might be better.

Parmesan

This sharp and salty cheese is a great addition to any garlic bread recipe. Parmesan has a strong flavour and is a bit saltier than other cheeses, so it can help to balance out the garlic. Simply sprinkle some grated parmesan on top of your garlic bread before baking, and enjoy!

Cheddar

Cheddar is a strong cheese that pairs perfectly with garlic. It's a great choice if you want your garlic bread to be extra cheesy. Cheddar is also easy to add to your garlic bread – simply sprinkle it on top of the bread before baking.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is perfect for creating a flavorful, cheesy garlic bread. It pairs well with garlic and will leave your family and friends begging for more. To make Swiss cheese garlic bread, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a loaf of bread into thin slices, spread a generous amount of garlic butter on each slice, and then top with grated Swiss cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Goat cheese and black garlic with crackers

Selecting the Best Ingredients:

• Goat Cheese: Opt for a high-quality goat cheese that is fresh and creamy. You can choose a mild or tangy variety, depending on your preference.
• Black Garlic: Use fresh, organic black garlic cloves. Quarter Moon Farm's organic black garlic is a recommended option. Black garlic adds a unique flavour and also boasts several health benefits.
• Crackers: Choose crackers that will complement the flavours of the goat cheese and black garlic. Almond rice crackers or olive oil crackers with rosemary can add a nice texture and flavour contrast.

Preparation and Presentation:

• Goat Cheese: Allow the goat cheese to come to room temperature before serving. This will enhance its flavour and make it easier to spread on the crackers.
• Black Garlic: Slice the black garlic cloves lengthwise into two or four segments, depending on their size. This ensures a nice distribution of flavour with each bite.
• Assembly: Spread the goat cheese on the crackers, and then top each cracker with a slice of black garlic. You can also offer a selection of different crackers and cheeses, allowing your guests to create their own combinations.

Fontina, Weinkase, or Parmesan with roasted garlic

Fontina, Weinkase, and Parmesan are all cheeses that go well with roasted garlic.

Fontina and Roasted Garlic

Fontina is a rich-flavoured cheese that blends well with roasted garlic. It is made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. Fontina is a good choice for those who want a strong cheese flavour.

Weinkase and Roasted Garlic

Weinkase is a unique, semi-firm cheese from the Alto Adige region of Italy. It is known for its rich, meaty paste, achieved by bathing the wheels in local Lagrein wine, pepper, garlic, and herbs. Weinkase has a pleasant, salami-like flavour and is a good choice for those seeking to add variety to a cheeseboard.

Parmesan and Roasted Garlic

Parmesan is a sharp and salty cheese that is commonly used in garlic bread recipes. It provides a strong cheese flavour and is saltier than other cheeses, balancing out the taste of garlic. Parmesan is also a key ingredient in roasted garlic sauces, complementing the sweetness of the garlic.

Recipe Ideas

• Roasted garlic with Fontina, Parmesan, and Pecorino Romano cheese chicken meatballs
• Roasted garlic Parmesan sauce: a creamy, garlicky sauce perfect for pasta, roasted vegetables, or as a dipping sauce
• Weinkase with roasted tomatoes and Murray's Sliced Speck for a well-rounded bite

Aged cheddar with garlic butter mushrooms in a grilled cheese sandwich

To make this indulgent sandwich, start by frying your mushrooms in butter. Sliced button or chestnut mushrooms work well, but feel free to use your favourites. Add some crushed or minced garlic, along with chilli flakes and oregano, to the mushrooms as they cook. This will infuse your mushrooms with flavour and create a delicious base for your sandwich.

For the cheese, grated mature or sharp cheddar is the perfect choice. The sharpness of the cheddar will complement the garlicky mushrooms beautifully. Combine the cheddar with a melting cheese like mozzarella to achieve the ideal balance of stretch and creaminess in your sandwich. You can also experiment with other cheese combinations, such as provolone, Gruyere, or Parmesan, to find your favourite pairing.

When assembling your sandwich, use thick slices of good-quality bread. Sourdough or country loaf are excellent options as their texture and flavour will enhance the overall sandwich experience. Spread butter or mayonnaise on the bread, followed by a generous amount of your chosen cheese combination. Add your garlic butter mushrooms and any additional ingredients, such as crispy bacon or slices of ham, to take your sandwich to the next level. Top it off with another slice of bread, buttered or mayonnaise-spread, and you're ready to grill!

Grill your sandwich in a pan or oven until the bread is golden brown and crisp, and the cheese has melted into gooey perfection. Serve it hot and fresh, and enjoy the magical combination of aged cheddar and garlic butter mushrooms in every bite. This sandwich is sure to impress and satisfy anyone looking for an elevated grilled cheese experience.

Frequently asked questions