Blue Cheese's Fruity Companions: A Perfect Pairing Adventure

Blue cheese is a fashionable and fancy culinary practice in the US, and it is often served as a dessert cheese. It is a strong flavour, so it is important to find the right balance when pairing it with other foods and drinks. Blue cheese is commonly served with fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and figs. It also goes well with sweeter foods such as honey, dried fruit, walnuts, and chutneys. Blue cheese is also commonly paired with drinks such as cider, wine, and tea or coffee.

Figs and honey

A blue cheese platter with figs and honey can be a beautiful and delicious addition to a dessert table or a cheese course. To create a stunning platter, start by setting out three different types of blue cheese—variety is the spice of life, after all! Then, add some small bowls of honey and fig preserves, and perhaps a drizzle of honey over the cheese for good measure. To add some crunch, scatter some glazed walnuts and fresh fig slices around the cheeses. Finally, serve the platter with a fresh baguette or some oatcakes on the side.

If you're feeling creative, you could also try making a rosemary flatbread with blue cheese, grapes, and honey, or a focaccia with caramelised onions, pear, and blue cheese. For a sweet and salty dessert, drizzle a chunk of salty blue cheese with honey and serve it with Effie's Rye Biscuits.

When pairing blue cheese with figs and honey, it's best to avoid acidic wines and fruits, as they can make the cheese taste soapy. Instead, opt for champagne, sparkling wines, port, sherry, or ice wines.

Apples and walnuts

When preparing a cheese platter, it is recommended to set out the blue cheese about three hours before serving. Toasting the walnuts in a skillet with sugar, salt, and pepper is a tasty way to enhance their flavour. This sweet and spicy glaze pairs well with the sharpness of the cheese and the sweetness of the apple.

Apples, walnuts, and blue cheese are a delicious combination that can be enjoyed as part of a cheese platter or incorporated into recipes such as salads, sandwiches, or pizzas. For a simple yet elegant option, try a salad of mixed greens, walnuts, and sliced apples, topped with crumbled blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. For a heartier option, pair this combination with BBQ pulled pork or chicken wings.

When choosing apples to pair with blue cheese, consider a variety that is crisp and slightly tart, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These varieties will provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese.

For a more indulgent treat, try drizzling honey over the blue cheese, apple, and walnut combination. The sweetness of the honey will balance the salty and tangy flavours of the cheese, creating a delightful flavour profile.

Whether enjoyed as a simple snack or incorporated into a more elaborate dish, the combination of apples, walnuts, and blue cheese is a delicious way to experience the unique flavour and texture of blue cheese.

Pears and honey

A drizzle of honey on a slab of blue cheese is a simple, yet effective, way to enjoy this combination. For a more complex dish, try a blue cheese, caramelised onion and pear focaccia. Alternatively, a pear, walnut and blue cheese salad is a great option for a summer BBQ.

For a cheeseboard, arrange slices of pear and a small bowl of honey next to the blue cheese. You could also add some walnuts and dried fruit to the display.

Peaches

A great way to serve this combination is to have the blue cheese with fresh peach slices, perhaps with some walnuts and honey on the side. You could also try grilling the peaches to bring out their natural sugars and further intensify the flavour. For a more indulgent option, try a peach and blue cheese dessert cheese plate, with some honey drizzled on top.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could also try making a peach and blue cheese salad, or even a pizza with these two ingredients as the stars. You could also try adding some prosciutto or bacon to the mix, for a savoury twist.

So, if you're looking to impress your guests with a unique and delicious flavour combination, look no further than peaches and blue cheese!

Fruit cake

When creating a dessert cheese platter, it is recommended to have one blue cheese and a variety of fruits to complement it. Fresh apples and pears are a great pairing with blue cheese, as they provide a crisp and refreshing contrast to the rich cheese. Dried fruits such as cranberries and cherries also work well, adding a chewy texture and concentrated burst of flavour.

For a more indulgent pairing, honey is a fantastic option. The sweetness of honey balances the saltiness of blue cheese, creating a harmonious combination. Walnuts are another tasty addition to a blue cheese platter, providing a crunchy texture and nutty flavour.

If you're feeling creative, a blue cheese, caramelised onion and potato pizza is a unique and mouthwatering option. For a simpler option, rosemary flatbread with blue cheese, grapes and honey is a delicious choice, as the blue cheese melts in your mouth and the flavours complement each other beautifully.

When it comes to drinks, blue cheese typically doesn't pair well with wine. Instead, opt for something fresh and zingy like an apple or pear cider, or even a cup of black tea or coffee.

So, the next time you're looking to indulge in some blue cheese, remember that fruit cake, fresh fruits, honey, and walnuts are all excellent choices to enhance your tasting experience!

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