Blue Cheese's Best Friend: Finding The Perfect Dressing Pair

Blue cheese is a strong, pungent cheese with a distinctive salty and sharp flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pizzas, burgers and even desserts. When it comes to dressings, blue cheese is an excellent choice for those who enjoy its unique taste. A classic option is a blue cheese vinaigrette, which can be drizzled over a range of salads, from simple leafy greens to more complex combinations like a cobb salad or a chopped salad with napa cabbage and radishes. For those who want to experiment, blue cheese also pairs well with sweeter ingredients like figs, pears, and honey, and can be used to create unique dressings such as a blue cheese and honey drizzle for grilled mangoes or a blue cheese and yoghurt sauce for chicken wings.

Blue cheese salad dressing

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent ingredient that can be used to make a delicious salad dressing. The distinctive salty and sharp flavour of blue cheese can be balanced with other ingredients to make a creamy and tangy dressing. Here is a recipe for a blue cheese salad dressing and some tips on how to use it.

This recipe for blue cheese salad dressing is adapted from My Nepenthe, a cookbook/memoir of the Big Sur institution, Nepenthe. It has a mix of spices, herbs, and blue cheese, balanced with red wine vinegar and oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped basil
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped oregano
• 2 teaspoons hot mustard powder
• 2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 6 ounces (170g) blue cheese, crumbled
• 2/3 cup (155ml) red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (235ml) grape seed oil (or canola oil)

Instructions:

• Assemble all the ingredients in a large bowl or jar and combine well.
• Toss the desired amount of dressing over your salad and enjoy!

Using Blue Cheese Salad Dressing:

• Drizzle it over a classic wedge salad or a chopped salad with cabbage, radishes, and other vegetables.
• Use it as a dip for chicken wings, pretzels, or crunchy chicken nuggets.
• Spread it on a sandwich or bruschetta for an extra kick of flavour.
• Toss it with pasta and top with crumbled bacon and black pepper.
• Use it as a unique twist on a classic Cobb salad.
• Balance the creaminess by pairing it with crispy, salty french fries or onion rings.
• Add it to a mac and cheese for a blue cheese flavour boost.
• Drizzle it over roasted vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli.

Blue cheese dip

Ingredients

• 2 cups crumbled blue cheese
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 2 cups mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Method

• Gather your ingredients: blue cheese, garlic, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Combine the ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the crumbled blue cheese, minced garlic, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Adjust to taste: Depending on your preference, you can add more or less blue cheese, garlic, or seasoning to suit your taste.
• Chill: Once combined, chill the dip in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavours to meld and develop.
• Serve: Use your blue cheese dip as a dressing for salads, a dip for wings or vegetables, or as a sauce for meats or sandwiches.

Tips and Variations

• Use a type of blue cheese that you enjoy. Some popular options include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton.
• For a smoother dip, use a food processor or blender to combine the ingredients.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a small amount of milk or buttermilk to the mixture.
• Get creative with add-ins: Try adding chopped walnuts, chopped basil or oregano, hot sauce, or chopped green onions to give your dip some extra flavour and texture.

Blue cheese fondue

Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in salads, sandwiches, wings, dips, and more. One way to elevate your usage of blue cheese is to turn it into a fondue. Here is a recipe for blue cheese fondue that you can try at home:

Ingredients:

• Blue cheese
• Cornstarch
• Wine
• Milk
• Cream cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Thyme (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Crispy bacon (optional)
• Spring onions (optional)

Instructions:

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the cream cheese and wine, whisking until the cream cheese is melted. This should take around 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add the milk and mix until combined and heated through, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Toss the cornstarch with the crumbled blue cheese, then add this mixture to the melted cream cheese mixture.
• Season with salt, pepper, thyme (if using), and garlic powder to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Transfer the fondue to a fondue pot, dip warmer, or serving dish.
• Top with crumbled crispy bacon and diced spring onions (if desired).

This blue cheese fondue can be served with a variety of dippers, such as kettle chips, French bread, carrot sticks, or smoked sausage. It can also be used as a blue cheese dip for wings, cooled and served over salad, or as a topping for grilled chicken.

Blue cheese aioli

Blue cheese is a pungent, salty, and sharp-flavoured cheese that can be used in a variety of ways. One way to elevate your grilled dishes is by pairing them with blue cheese aioli. This condiment is a mix of crumbled blue cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic. The tanginess of the blue cheese, mustard, and garlic is mellowed by the mayonnaise, resulting in a rich and thick sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and use a wire whisk to combine them. The blue cheese should be broken into very small pieces, but not puréed. It is recommended that you mix this recipe by hand and not use a food processor.

This blue cheese aioli is the perfect condiment for burgers, steaks, or BLTs. It can also be used as a dip for fries, chips, or even your fingers! The aioli can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

You can also experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique version of blue cheese aioli. For example, you can try using half mayonnaise and half yoghurt, or adding in some buttermilk for a smoother consistency. So, get creative and enjoy the deliciousness of blue cheese aioli!

Blue cheese butter

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent cheese with a distinctive salty and sharp flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to burgers. One way to incorporate blue cheese into your cooking is by making a compound butter, also known as blue cheese butter. This can be used as a spread, a topping, or a flavourful addition to various meals. Here is a recipe and some tips for making delicious blue cheese butter.

Ingredients:

• Blue cheese
• Unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: garlic, chives, or other herbs and spices

Instructions:

• Allow the butter to soften at room temperature. It should be easy to mix but not melted.
• Crumble the blue cheese into a bowl. The amount of cheese you use will depend on how strong you want the flavour to be. A good starting point is a 1:3 ratio of blue cheese to butter.
• Add the softened butter to the bowl and mix well. You can use a fork, a spatula, or a food processor to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients like crushed garlic, chopped chives, or herbs and spices to enhance the flavour.
• Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a log. You can also use parchment paper or aluminium foil.
• Roll the mixture tightly in the plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal it securely.
• Refrigerate the blue cheese butter until it is firm. This will take a few hours or overnight.

Serving Suggestions:

• Spread it on a steak or grilled chicken.
• Melt it over vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower.
• Use it as a topping for baked potatoes.
• Add a dollop to soups or stews for extra creaminess and flavour.
• Serve it with bread or crackers as an appetiser or snack.

Frequently asked questions