Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. Its strong flavour and distinctive smell come from the bacteria that give it its characteristic blue veins. While some people love its pungency, for others, it can be an acquired taste. So, what compliments blue cheese? Sweet foods such as honey, fruit, and chocolate are often paired with blue cheese, as the sweetness can help to balance the salty, tangy flavour. In addition, blue cheese is often served with other cheeses, such as cheddar, Lancashire, or goat's cheese, and paired with drinks such as wine, beer, and whiskey.
Characteristics and Values of what compliments blue cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food | Apples, pears, celery, walnuts, sourdough bread, crackers, biscuits, French baguette, steak frites, beef sandwich, burger, Jerusalem artichokes, mushrooms, Roquefort sauce |
| Drinks | Sweeter wines, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, craft beers, stout, porter, whiskey, gin, coffee |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and honey
To make a basic blue cheese and honey appetizer, start by bringing your blue cheese to room temperature. Any variety of blue cheese will work, but a strong and spicy variety from Northern Spain or a creamy, buttery variety from Northern Italy are popular options. Crumble the cheese and drizzle it with honey to taste. This combination can be served as-is, or with sliced bread or baguette. For a heartier snack, try adding sliced apples or other seasonal fruit, celery sticks, or sliced bell pepper.
For a more savoury take on this combination, try crispy baked blue cheese with hot honey. To make this dish, dip a wedge of blue cheese into flour, then beaten egg, and finally panko crumbs. Bake the breaded blue cheese on a parchment-lined sheet for 12-15 minutes, broiling for an additional 2-3 minutes if needed. Drizzle with hot honey and serve immediately with bread or crackers.
In addition to honey, blue cheese pairs well with a variety of other sweet and savoury ingredients. Walnuts, apples, pears, dried cherries, and fig preserves are all commonly paired with blue cheese. When it comes to drinks, blue cheese is often enjoyed with wine, especially sweeter varieties such as Sauternes or Italian Vin Santo. Craft beers, especially India Pale Ales and stouts or porters, can also complement the bold flavour of blue cheese.
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Blue cheese and fruit
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various fruits to create delicious and unexpected flavour combinations. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Apples
The tartness of apples makes them a perfect match for the salty, creamy character of blue cheese. Try using a sweet, crisp variety such as Honeycrisp or Gala, or roasted apples in a savoury dish for a deeper, more complex flavour.
Pears
Pears are a classic pairing with blue cheese, as their natural sweetness and juicy texture balance the richness of the cheese. For a simple, elegant appetiser, try sliced pear with a variety of blue cheeses, such as Shropshire Blue or Gorgonzola.
Dried Cherries
Dried cherries have an intense, concentrated flavour that can stand up to the bold taste of blue cheese. They add a touch of sweetness and a chewy texture to a cheese platter or salad.
Figs
Fresh or preserved, figs are another fruit that pairs beautifully with blue cheese. Their natural sweetness and soft texture create a delightful contrast. Try wrapping fresh figs with blue cheese and prosciutto for a mouthwatering bite, or spreading blue cheese on a baguette with fig jam for a sophisticated take on a classic grilled cheese.
Walnuts
While not technically a fruit, walnuts are a type of nut that is often used in sweet dishes and pair exceptionally well with blue cheese. Toasted walnuts glazed with sugar and spices can be served alongside blue cheese for a crunchy, sweet, and savoury treat.
When pairing blue cheese with fruit, look for options that will balance the salty, pungent character of the cheese. Fresh, crisp fruits like apples and pears can cut through the richness, while sweeter options like dried cherries, figs, and honey can enhance the savoury notes of the blue cheese. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavour profiles.
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Blue cheese and celery
One easy option is to create a blue cheese dip by mixing blue cheese with sour cream and mustard. This dip can then be served alongside celery sticks for a quick and tasty snack or appetizer. For those who want a more substantial bite, the celery sticks can be stuffed with the blue cheese dip. The dip can be piped or scooped into the celery, and the stuffed celery can be garnished with chopped walnuts or pecans and served on a small tray. This option is a great choice for those who want a more filling snack or appetizer, and it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Another way to enjoy blue cheese and celery is to make a salad. This can be as simple as tossing celery pieces with crumbled blue cheese, salt, pepper, and olive oil. For a more substantial salad, additional ingredients such as red onion, dried cranberries, garlic powder, and onion powder can be added. This salad can be served chilled as an appetizer or side dish and is a great way to use up celery before it goes bad.
When choosing a blue cheese for your celery dish, there are many options to consider. Some popular choices include Danish Blue, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Maytag. These cheeses vary in strength and flavour, so it's worth trying a few to see which one you prefer. In addition, you can experiment with different types of mustard and nuts to find your favourite combination.
Whether you choose a simple dip, stuffed celery, or a salad, blue cheese and celery is a classic combination that is sure to impress. With a variety of options to choose from, you can find the perfect way to enjoy these ingredients together at your next gathering or snack time.
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Blue cheese and stout/porter
Blue cheese and stout or porter is a classic combination. The sharp, salty, and mature flavours of blue cheese are deepened and enhanced when paired with a rich, deep stout or porter. The creamy bite of a stout or porter is a wonderful contrast to blue cheese.
When pairing a blue cheese with a stout or porter, it is recommended to opt for an imperial stout to get the rich flavours. Chocolate and roasty notes in the stout or porter can also complement the blue cheese. For example, Harviestoun's Ola Dubh 12 has raisin-like sweetness in the body, a wonderful balance between fruit and smoke, and a ripple of dry, almost chocolate powder notes running through it. The stout's sweetness is heightened when paired with blue cheese and steak.
Blue cheese and stout or porter can also be combined in a sauce to accompany beef. To make this sauce, gently saute leeks in butter and add wholegrain mustard. Pour the sauce over the steak and top with blue cheese and black pepper, grilling until bubbling.
Blue cheese cheddar, a blend of blue cheese and cheddar, also pairs well with stout or porter. The sharpness of the cheddar is enhanced by the nutty and toasty notes in the porter.
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Blue cheese and red wine
Blue cheese is a diverse category of cheese, ranging from sharp, hard, and crumbly to mellow, creamy, and salty. It can be an acquired taste, but there is a blue cheese out there for everyone.
When it comes to pairing blue cheese with red wine, the type of blue cheese you choose matters. Sweeter wines generally pair better with more mature blue cheeses. For example, a mature, creamy blue cheese from Northern Italy, such as the dolce variety, may pair well with a sweet red wine. On the other hand, younger, more acidic blue cheeses like Cashel Blue or Crozier Blue are better matched with wines that have their own acidity, such as a zingy Riesling or an off-dry Vouvray from the Loire Valley in France.
If you're looking for a traditional pairing, farmhouse blue cheeses are considered the classic match for red wines, especially sweet dessert wines like Sauternes or traditional Italian Vin Santo. For a unique experience, you could try dipping your blue cheese in some melted dark chocolate, which has the right sweet-to-bitter ratio to enhance the earthy qualities of a rustic blue cheese.
When serving blue cheese, remember that a little goes a long way. You don't need to offer large portions, especially if you're serving a variety of cheeses. To enhance the flavour of your blue cheese, set it out about three hours before serving. This will allow the cheese to breathe and come to room temperature, improving its texture and flavour.
In terms of food pairings, blue cheese works beautifully with sweet and salty flavours. Try drizzling honey over a slice of blue cheese or spreading it on a cracker or baguette. You could also pair blue cheese with sweet fruits like apples, pears, or dried cherries, or even dip it in some dark chocolate for a decadent treat. For a savoury option, the natural meatiness of blue cheese pairs well with red meat, such as a steak or a roast beef sandwich.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweeter wines are better suited to mature blue cheeses, whereas younger, more acidic cheeses require a wine with more acidity. For example, a German Riesling with a touch of sweetness pairs well with Cashel Blue or Crozier Blue. If you're looking for something stronger, whiskey, gin, and craft beer are also good pairings.
Blue cheese is often served with fruits such as apples, pears, and dried cherries, as well as honey, walnuts, and crackers or bread. It can also be melted on top of a steak or burger, or used as an ingredient in dishes such as soup and pie.
Blue cheese varies from sharp, hard, and crumbly, to mellow, creamy, and salty. Examples of blue cheese include Danish, Spanish, Australian, and Italian varieties, as well as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton.
