Blue Cheese And Fish: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Blue cheese is a popular ingredient in many fish recipes, and for good reason—it adds a rich, creamy flavour to a variety of seafood dishes. From baked halibut to blackened salmon and even tilapia, blue cheese sauce is a versatile addition that can elevate a simple meal into something special. For those who enjoy a more indulgent meal, blue cheese sauce is a decadent option that can be easily made at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can create a restaurant-worthy dish that's sure to impress. So, if you're looking to add a new flavour to your seafood repertoire, blue cheese sauce is definitely worth considering.

Blue cheese sauce recipes

Blue cheese is a great pairing for fish, and there are several sauce recipes to choose from.

A simple blue cheese sauce can be made with just blue cheese and heavy cream, with the option of adding spices like ground pepper and salt to taste. This sauce goes well with white fish, such as halibut, cod, or tilapia. For a more complex flavour, add dry white wine (like Chardonnay) to the sauce. This sauce pairs well with baked cod, enhancing the delicate flavour of the fish.

For a more indulgent sauce, you can add mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and chives to the blue cheese and heavy cream. This sauce is a good match for mild-flavoured fish like tilapia or other white fish.

If you're looking for a gluten-free option, corn starch can be used to thicken the sauce instead of flour.

Ingredients:

• Italian seasoning
• Cracked black pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Butter
• Grapeseed oil, for frying
• Skinless and boneless salmon fillets
• Blue cheese crumbles

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine the Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, salt, and cayenne in a small bowl.
• Season each piece of salmon with the spice rub.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter and oil.
• Once the butter has melted, add the salmon and cook for about 2 minutes per side.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes.
• For the sauce, reduce white wine in a saucepan by half, then add heavy cream and reduce again.
• Add the blue cheese and whisk until smooth.
• Serve the sauce over the salmon.

Fish types that pair well with blue cheese

Blue cheese is a popular ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including those with fish. Here are some types of fish that pair well with blue cheese:

Salmon

Salmon is a versatile fish that can be prepared in various ways, such as baking, grilling, or pan-frying. When paired with blue cheese, it creates a delicious combination. A popular recipe is blackened salmon with a blue cheese sauce. The sauce typically includes ingredients such as Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper, which complement the strong flavour of the blue cheese.

Halibut

Halibut is a firm, white-fleshed fish that is mild in flavour and has a delicate texture. It goes well with blue cheese, especially when baked. A simple recipe involves combining mayonnaise, blue cheese dressing, Parmesan cheese, and chives, then baking the fish in the oven until flaky.

Cod

Cod is a meaty fish that can be prepared in a similar way to salmon and halibut. It goes well with blue cheese sauce, and a recommended recipe involves lightly frying cod steaks, then finishing them in the oven with a creamy blue cheese sauce. The sauce typically includes ingredients such as blue cheese, light cream, and sherry or dry white wine.

Trout

Trout is a freshwater fish with a delicate flavour and texture. It can be baked with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and served with a blue cheese sauce. The sauce can be made with cream, blue cheese, and capers, creating a classic and easy dish that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.

Tilapia

Tilapia is a mild-flavoured fish that can be enhanced by the addition of a blue cheese sauce. While the recipe for this dish is scarce, it is mentioned that corn starch should be used instead of flour to make the dish gluten-free.

Baking fish with blue cheese

Blue cheese is a great pairing for fish, and there are several ways to bake fish with blue cheese. You can opt for a blue cheese sauce, or a crumb topping, and there are many types of fish that work well, including salmon, trout, halibut, and tilapia.

Baked Fish with Blue Cheese Sauce

A popular option is to bake the fish and serve it with a blue cheese sauce. This can be done with salmon or trout. First, the fish is baked with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and sometimes lemon juice, for around 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, a sauce is made with blue cheese, cream, and capers, and sometimes white wine. The sauce is drizzled over the fish before serving.

Blue Cheese Baked Halibut

Another option is to bake halibut with blue cheese. This recipe calls for a combination of mayonnaise, blue cheese dressing, parmesan cheese, and chives or green onions, which are mixed together and smothered over the halibut in a baking dish. The fish is then baked at 325°F for about 35 minutes, or until flaky but not dry.

Baked Blue Cheese Fish with Crumb Topping

A further variation is to bake white fish with a blue cheese crumb topping. This recipe involves sauteing onion, garlic, and button mushrooms, and placing them over the fish, which has been seasoned with pepper. The fish is then baked, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, blue cheese is combined with breadcrumbs, and this mixture is sprinkled over the fish, which is then baked, uncovered, for another 5 minutes.

Blackened Salmon with Blue Cheese Sauce

A slightly different option is to blacken the salmon before baking and serving it with a blue cheese sauce. This involves coating the salmon with a rub made from Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, salt, and cayenne, and then frying it for about 2 minutes per side before baking for 4-6 minutes. The sauce is made with white wine, heavy cream, and blue cheese, and served on top of the salmon.

Frying fish with blue cheese

Blue cheese is a strong and pungent cheese that can be a delicious addition to seafood, creating a sophisticated flavour combination. It is important to note that some cultures, particularly certain regions of Italy, frown upon pairing cheese with seafood. However, French cuisine incorporates cheese with seafood, such as cheese sauce with mussels, and the Japanese combine stretchy mozzarella-type cheese with seafood like salmon.

Fish Options

When frying fish with blue cheese, there are several options to consider. Here are some popular choices:

• Salmon: A rich and fatty fish that pairs well with blue cheese. It can be pan-seared, baked, or blackened.
• Trout: A delicate fish that can be baked with blue cheese sauce.
• Tilapia: A mild-flavoured fish that can be enhanced with a blue cheese sauce.
• Halibut: A white fish that can be baked with blue cheese and mayonnaise.

Cooking Methods

When frying fish with blue cheese, you can use various cooking methods:

• Pan-frying: Heat a non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan to medium-high heat with olive oil. Season the fish fillets with salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Place the fish in the pan, lower the heat to medium, and sear for about 2 minutes on each side. Add garlic and lemon slices, sautéing for flavour. Finally, add the blue cheese and cover the pan to allow the cheese to melt.
• Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Rinse and dry the fish, then place it in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked and flaky. Meanwhile, make a blue cheese sauce by reducing white wine in a small pot, then adding cream and blue cheese. Stir until melted and thickened. Pour the sauce over the cooked fish and garnish with parsley.
• Blackening: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Combine Italian seasoning, black pepper, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. Season the fish fillets with the spice rub. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat and add butter and oil. Place the fish in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 4-6 minutes. Make a blue cheese sauce by reducing white wine, then adding heavy cream. Whisk in the blue cheese until smooth and serve on top of the fish.

Tips for Success

When frying fish with blue cheese, here are some tips for the best results:

• Use firm, fresh salmon fillets with no brown spots or soft areas.
• Don't be tempted to turn up the heat too high, as this will overcook the outside of the fish while leaving the inside raw.
• Start with the flesh side of the fish up when pan-frying.
• The blue cheese will melt on top of the fish, even with the heat turned off.
• Use honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness to balance the strong flavours.
• Always begin with room-temperature salmon for the best cooking results.
• Remove any extra moisture from the fish with paper towels before seasoning.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the fish before serving to add a burst of freshness.

Other strong-flavoured sauces for fish

Blue cheese is a popular pairing for fish, with recipes featuring salmon, halibut, tilapia, and cod steaks all incorporating the distinctive cheese. The strong flavour of blue cheese means it is often balanced with creamy ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream cheese, or with white wine, brandy, and lemon juice.

If you're looking for other strong-flavoured sauces to accompany fish, there are several options to consider:

Hollandaise Sauce

A classic French sauce, hollandaise is perfect for those who enjoy rich, buttery flavours. It is an emulsion of egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice, often seasoned with salt and cayenne pepper. Hollandaise is a traditional accompaniment to dishes like eggs Benedict, but it also pairs beautifully with fish, especially salmon or poached fish.

Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is a versatile condiment that can be served with a variety of fish dishes, from fried fish to grilled salmon. It is typically made with mayonnaise, chopped pickles or relish, and a blend of herbs and spices, including parsley, chives, and dill. The tangy, slightly acidic flavour of tartar sauce cuts through the richness of fried fish, making it a refreshing and flavourful addition.

Tapenade

Olive tapenade is a Mediterranean-inspired spread or dip made from olives, olive oil, and various herbs and spices. It has a strong, savoury flavour that can stand up to the taste of fish. Tapenade can be used as a spread on sandwiches or crostini, or served as a dip alongside grilled or baked fish.

Red Onion and Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce

For those who enjoy the pungent flavour of blue cheese, this sauce combines gorgonzola with red onion, port wine, and vegetable broth. The sweetness of the port wine and the sharpness of the onion complement the strong flavour of the cheese, creating a complex and flavourful sauce that can be served with grilled or baked fish.

Avocado Sauce

Avocado sauce is a creamy, luscious option that pairs well with mild-flavoured fish like cod or halibut. It is made by blending avocado with ingredients like lemon juice, salt, and water, resulting in a smooth, savoury sauce with a vibrant green colour.

These sauces offer a range of bold flavours that can enhance the taste of fish and provide a satisfying contrast to its delicate texture. Experimenting with different sauces is a great way to elevate your fish dishes and discover new flavour combinations.

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