Best Crackers To Serve With Asiago Cheese Spread

Asiago cheese is a firm cow's milk cheese from Italy, with a sharp, savoury, and piquant taste. It is a popular ingredient in recipes such as pizza, omelettes, chicken bakes, and soups. When it comes to choosing a cracker to pair with Asiago cheese, texture and flavour come into play. Thin, crispy crackers like 34 Degrees Gluten-Free Crisps or wafer crackers from Olina's Bakehouse are recommended by experts to complement the cheese's texture and enhance its flavour. For those who prefer sweeter crackers, Craize, a line of round thin toasted corn crackers with sweet and savoury flavours, could be a good option. Additionally, plain crackers such as Rip Rap Baking's sourdough flatbread crackers or La Panzanella's crispy crackers are recommended to avoid overpowering the flavour of the Asiago cheese.

Baguettes

Additionally, baguettes are versatile and can be served in multiple ways with Asiago cheese spread. For a simple option, thinly sliced baguette toasts can be topped with the spread and served as elegant, bite-sized canapés. For a heartier option, the spread can be slathered on thicker slices of baguette and topped with fresh ingredients like sliced tomatoes, basil leaves, or black olive tapenade, creating a flavourful and satisfying mouthful.

When preparing baguettes to serve with Asiago cheese spread, it is essential to consider the thickness of the slices. Thin slices will provide a lighter, crispier base for the spread, while thicker slices can offer a more substantial bite and a softer texture. Toasting the baguette slices can also enhance their flavour and texture, adding a subtle crunch that pairs well with the creaminess of the cheese spread.

In terms of presentation, baguettes and Asiago cheese spread can be arranged in a variety of ways. For a rustic look, the spread can be served in a small bowl alongside a platter of baguette slices, allowing guests to assemble their own bites. Alternatively, for a more elegant presentation, the spread can be piped or dolloped onto individual baguette slices, creating uniform canapés that are easy to pick up and enjoy.

In conclusion, baguettes are an excellent choice to serve with Asiago cheese spread. Their versatility, texture, and flavour make them a perfect pairing, whether served as a simple appetizer or a more substantial offering. With their crispy exterior and soft interior, baguettes provide a delightful contrast to the creamy and nutty Asiago cheese spread, making this combination a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Crackers

34 Degrees Crisps

These thin and crispy crackers are a favourite among several cheese experts. They are perfect for showcasing a pungent soft cheese like Asiago, as they add a bit of crunch without being too filling. The gluten-free option is also great for those with dietary restrictions.

Wafer Crackers

Wafer crackers are simple, light, and airy, making them a good choice for tasting cheese. They have a bit of cheese powder in them to enhance the umami characteristics of the cheese.

Craize

Craize is a line of round, thin, toasted corn crackers that come in a variety of flavours. The sweet ones, such as Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut, pair particularly well with strong and pungent cheeses like blue cheese and Asiago.

Raincoast Crisps

Raincoast Crisps, particularly the rosemary raisin pecan flavour, are a good choice for creamy and sweeter cheeses. The crunchy texture and hint of flavour from the rosemary complement the cheese without being overpowering.

Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers

These crackers have a sturdy, slightly sweet, biscuit-like quality that pairs well with strong cheddars and blues with nuts. They are also recommended for a heartier cheese like aged Gouda.

Effie's Homemade Oat Cakes

These oat cakes pair well with a cheese like Gorgonzola and a candied walnut for a sweet and savoury combination.

La Panzanella Crackers

La Panzanella offers a variety of crispy crackers, both plain and flavoured. The plain crackers are recommended to avoid overpowering the flavour of the cheese, while the rosemary flavour adds just a slight hint of flavour.

Ritz Crackers

While not artisanal, Ritz Crackers are a favourite of blogger and author Kirstin Jackson, who compares them to "doubling up on the butter".

Trader Joe's Red Chili Scalloped Crackers

These crackers are recommended by Kristine Hansen, author of the Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook. They are flavourful without having much heat and are good for enjoying with soft, spreadable cheeses like Asiago.

Mary's Gone Crackers

These seedy crisp crackers come in a variety of flavours that pair well with cheese. Some recommended combinations include aged Gouda with olive oil and black pepper, and chipotle with cheddar. They are also a strong gluten-free option.

Georgia Sourdough Crackers

These crackers are a favourite of Sweet Grass Dairy's Jessica Little. They have a mild flavour that won't compete with the cheese and come in a variety of flavours, including Rosemary Garlic and Tomato Basil.

Breads

Asiago cheese is a hard or semi-hard Italian cheese with a nutty flavour. It pairs well with crusty bread and red wine.

If you're looking for a bread to pair with Asiago cheese spread, a crusty bread with a hard texture will complement the soft spread well. A sourdough loaf, with its tangy flavour and chewy crust, would be an excellent choice. Alternatively, a crusty baguette, which is often served with soft cheeses in France, would also be a good option.

For a heartier option, a rustic country loaf with a thick crust and soft interior would be delicious. The crust will provide a satisfying textural contrast to the spread, while the soft interior will soak up the flavours of the cheese.

If you're looking for something a little different, a raisin or nut bread could add a sweet and crunchy dimension to your cheese spread. Alternatively, a dark rye bread with caraway seeds would provide a savoury and slightly spicy contrast to the Asiago.

Finally, for a lighter option, a simple white bread with a soft crust and fluffy interior could be a good choice. This type of bread is often used for cheese spreads and would allow the flavour of the Asiago to shine through.

Crisps

If you're looking for a crunchy, savoury snack, Asiago cheese crisps are the way to go. They're easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect Asiago cheese crisps:

Ingredients

You'll need the following ingredients:

• Asiago cheese (shredded or sliced)
• Fresh sage (optional)
• Pine nuts or other nuts/seeds (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to between 300°F and 425°F. The higher the temperature, the crispier your crisps will be.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place tablespoon-sized mounds of Asiago cheese on the baking sheet, spaced evenly apart. If using sage and nuts/seeds, sprinkle a bit of each on top of the cheese mounds.
• Bake for 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired crispiness and the oven temperature. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
• Remove from the oven and, while the crisps are still warm, remove them from the baking sheet with a spatula. Drape them over a rolling pin or shape them as desired.
• Allow the crisps to cool completely on a wire rack.

Tips and Variations

• For a stronger cheese flavour, use sliced Asiago cheese instead of shredded.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Parmesan, cheddar, Gruyère, or Swiss cheese.
• If you don't have fresh sage, you can use dried sage, rosemary, or thyme.
• If you're feeling creative, try adding different types of nuts or seeds, such as almonds, pecans, pepitas, or flax seeds.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Asiago cheese crisps make a delicious snack on their own, but they also pair well with dips, soups, salads, and charcuterie boards. So, get creative and enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!

Fruits

While there are no specific fruits mentioned in the sources that go well with Asiago cheese spread, there are some general guidelines for pairing cheese and fruit. When pairing cheese with fruit, it is important to consider the flavour and texture of both the cheese and the fruit.

For example, a strong, salty cheese like Asiago can be balanced with a sweet fruit such as apples or pears. The crisp texture of these fruits can also help to cut through the richness of the cheese.

Softer, more mild-tasting cheeses tend to pair well with berries, which have a similar soft texture and a sweet-tart flavour. Harder, more pungent cheeses are often matched with dried fruits such as apricots, raisins or dates, which have a more intense flavour and a chewy texture.

In addition to the type of fruit, the way it is prepared can also make a difference. Fresh fruit is often a good choice, but cooked fruit can also work well with certain cheeses. For example, baked apples or pears can be a nice complement to a strong cheese like Asiago, especially if the fruit is topped with a crunchy nut or seed topping.

Overall, when pairing cheese with fruit, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures to create a harmonious combination.

Frequently asked questions