Blue Cheese's Perfect Cracker Companions: A Definitive Guide

what crackers go well with blue cheese

Blue cheese is a notoriously divisive food, but for those who love it, finding the right cracker to complement its salty, sharp flavour is essential. The general rule of thumb is that the stronger the flavour of the cheese, the more neutral the cracker should be. So, which crackers are best suited to blue cheese?

Characteristics Values
Type of cracker Whole wheat, graham, multigrain, wafer, rye, water, sourdough, rosemary, sea salt, garlic
Flavour Sweet, salty, buttery, nutty, caramel, mild, neutral
Texture Crispy, crunchy, crumbly, thick, sturdy
Toppings Fruits (dried apricots, raisins, cranberries, fresh figs, green apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), honey, chutney, jam, chocolate

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Blue cheese and sweet crackers

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent cheese with a salty, nutty, and savory flavor. It can be paired with both sweet and salty items to create a dynamic flavor profile. When it comes to crackers, there are a few types that go exceptionally well with blue cheese.

First, let's talk about wafer crackers. Wafer crackers come in a variety of flavors, including savory options like Everything and Seeded, and sweeter options like Plantain, Sweet Corn, Guava, and Coconut. The sweet wafer crackers, with their cookie-like profile, pair particularly well with blue cheese. The sweetness of the cracker balances out the saltiness of the blue cheese, creating an intriguing contrast of flavors.

Another great option for blue cheese and sweet crackers is honey-based crackers. A Honey Made graham cracker, for instance, makes for a dynamic duo when paired with blue cheese. The hint of caramel sweetness in the graham cracker complements the nutty and savory notes in the blue cheese. You can even take it a step further and pair blue cheese with dark chocolate-covered graham crackers, creating a decadent and indulgent experience.

If you're looking for a cracker that's a little less sweet, but still has a touch of sweetness, consider Carr's Whole Wheat crackers. These crackers have a sturdy, slightly sweet, biscuit-like quality that pairs beautifully with blue cheese. The slight sweetness of the cracker enhances the complexity of the blue cheese's flavor.

For those who enjoy a more textured cracker, multigrain crisps infused with berries, such as Cranberry Oat Multigrain Crisps, can be a fantastic choice. The key is to choose a creamy and sweet blue cheese, rather than a crumbly and tough variety, to ensure it spreads easily on the cracker. The combination of the crisp cracker and the creamy cheese creates a delightful textural contrast.

Lastly, organic sourdough sea salt crackers can be a wonderful base for blue cheese. The mildness of the cracker allows the intensity of the blue cheese to shine through. You can even top it with roasted almond butter and raspberry jam for a sweet and savory mini pizza in your mouth.

In conclusion, when pairing blue cheese with sweet crackers, it's important to consider the balance of flavors. The sweetness of the cracker should enhance the salty, nutty, and savory notes of the blue cheese. By choosing wafer crackers, honey-based crackers, slightly sweet whole wheat crackers, multigrain crisps, or mild sourdough sea salt crackers, you can create delicious and dynamic flavor combinations that will impress both fans and skeptics of blue cheese.

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Whole wheat crackers

If you're looking to buy some whole wheat crackers to pair with blue cheese, Carr's Whole Wheat crackers are a popular option. They are thick and slightly sweet, similar to an English biscuit, and pair well with strong cheeses like blue cheese.

You can also make your own whole wheat crackers at home. Here's a recipe for whole wheat blue cheese crackers:

Ingredients:

  • Blue cheese
  • Butter
  • Mustard powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • All-purpose flour
  • Whole wheat pastry flour
  • Coarse sea salt

Instructions:

  • Scrape the rind off the blue cheese and remove any hard parts.
  • In a bowl, blend the butter and blue cheese until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and flours to the bowl and mix together to form a dough.
  • Form the dough into two 1 1/2-inch wide rolls.
  • Wrap the dough rolls in wax paper and chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Cut each roll of dough into approximately 15 slices and sprinkle with salt.
  • Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crackers are just set and slightly browned.
  • Set aside to cool and then serve.

These whole wheat blue cheese crackers are an excellent addition to any cheese plate and can be made ahead of time and frozen. Just pop them into the oven for a few minutes before serving to warm them up.

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Multigrain crackers

When creating a grazing board, it is important to remember that the cracker's role is to let the cheese shine. Multigrain crackers are a good option for this as they are not too overpowering in flavour. They are also a healthier alternative to other crackers, as they are often made with organic, regenerative wheat.

If you want to elevate your grazing board, try adding some dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, or cranberries, along with fresh figs and pears. You can also include nuts like almonds or walnuts to create a mix of sweet and salty flavours, which is the ultimate pairing experience.

For a more decadent option, pair your blue cheese with dark chocolate-covered multigrain crackers. This combination will satisfy those with a sweet tooth, as the chocolate provides a hint of caramel sweetness to balance out the strong flavour of the blue cheese.

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Sea salt crackers

If you want to experiment with additional toppings, you can try pairing blue cheese with sea salt crackers that have roasted almond butter and raspberry jam. The sweetness of the jam and the saltiness of the almond butter can create an interesting contrast with the blue cheese. Alternatively, you can try topping sea salt crackers with peanut butter and sambal, a spicy Indonesian condiment, for a unique flavour combination.

For a more savoury option, sea salt crackers can be paired with blue cheese and tinned fish, such as mussels, mackerel, or sardines. The combination of the salty crackers and fish with the strong flavour of the blue cheese can create a savoury delight.

When choosing a blue cheese to pair with sea salt crackers, consider a creamy and sweet variety, as opposed to a crumbly and tough one, especially if you plan to spread the cheese on the crackers. Additionally, look for a blue cheese that has a strong, pungent flavour to stand up to the sharpness of the sea salt.

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Honey graham crackers

For a simple yet tasty snack, you can serve blue cheese on honey graham crackers with a drizzle of honey and a garnish of thyme. You can also add some walnuts and dried cranberries to this combination for a more complex flavour profile and a delightful texture.

If you're looking for a more savoury option, rosemary is a great herb to pair with blue cheese. You can infuse honey with rosemary and then drizzle it over the blue cheese and honey graham crackers. This combination adds a subtle savouriness to the sweetness of the honey and the bold flavour of the blue cheese.

When creating a cheese board with honey graham crackers and blue cheese, consider adding some sliced pears and chicken pieces. The sweetness of the pear can complement the honey, while the chicken adds a savoury element to the dish.

For a more indulgent option, you can pair blue cheese with dark chocolate-covered graham crackers. The rich, savoury-sweet flavour of the blue cheese can be beautifully balanced by the dark chocolate and the honey graham cracker base.

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Frequently asked questions

Whole grain crackers, multigrain crisps, and wafer crackers are all good options to pair with blue cheese. If you want to buy organic, Patagonia Provisions' crackers in Sourdough Sea Salt, Rosemary Garlic, Multiseed, and Toasted Cheeze flavours are all good bases for blue cheese.

If you're looking for something sweet, try Honey Made graham crackers or dark chocolate-covered graham crackers.

For savoury crackers, try Carr's Whole Wheat crackers or Akmak crackers.

If you're planning on having fruit with your blue cheese, try pairing it with whole grain crackers and almonds. Dried fruits like apricots, raisins, or cranberries, and fresh fruits like figs, pears, or apples are all good choices.

If you're looking to pair blue cheese with meat, try having it with steak and a crusty bread.

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