Camembert Cheese: Best Fruit Pairings For A Tasty Experience

Camembert is a soft, creamy, and earthy cheese that originated in Normandy, France. It is known for its rich and buttery flavour, and is often enjoyed as a spread on bread or crackers, in salads, or melted in various dishes. When it comes to fruit pairings, Camembert goes well with fresh, juicy fruits like grapes, apples, strawberries, and pears. Figs are also a popular choice, whether fresh or in the form of fig jam or chutney. For a more indulgent treat, Camembert can be baked and served with dried apricots, or even drizzled with honey or maple syrup for a sweet and savoury combination.

Apples

For a simple and classic pairing, slice up some fresh apples and serve them alongside the cheese. The natural sweetness and crunch of the apple slices will contrast nicely with the creamy, rich flavour of the Camembert.

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try spreading some apple jam or apple chutney on crackers or bread before adding a slice of Camembert. This combination is perfect for a cozy night in or as an easy appetizer for a get-together. You could even bake the Camembert in the oven for a gooey, warm treat and serve it with sliced apples on the side.

Another option is to create a charcuterie board with Camembert, apple slices, and other complementary foods. Some ideas for this include fresh or dried apples, apple butter or apple preserves, and apple-flavoured drinks such as cider or apple brandy. You could also include other fruits, crackers, nuts, and cured meats to create a well-rounded and delicious spread.

When choosing apples to pair with Camembert, consider a variety that is crisp and slightly tart, such as Granny Smith apples. The acidity of the apples will help to cut through the richness of the cheese. However, feel free to experiment with different types of apples to find your favourite pairing.

Apricots

For a simple pairing, dried apricots can be served alongside camembert as part of a cheeseboard. For a more complex pairing, apricot jam can be spread over the cheese and baked in the oven. This can be served with crusty bread, breadsticks, crackers, or vegetable sticks.

For a more unusual pairing, camembert can be baked with apricot jam, chopped red chillies, and walnuts. The apricot jam and chillies will add sweetness and spice to the rich, nutty flavour of the baked cheese. This can be served with crusty bread, breadsticks, crackers, or vegetable sticks.

Cherries

To make the sandwich, gather the following ingredients: wheat artisan bread (or white bread, sourdough bread, or brioche rolls), Camembert cheese, and fresh pitted cherries or cherry sauce. Heat a sauté pan or griddle to medium heat. Spread the Camembert cheese on four slices of bread, add the cherries or cherry sauce, and top with the remaining bread slices. Butter the outside of the bread and place the sandwiches in the pan. Grill the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve.

Another way to enjoy Camembert with cherries is to bake the cheese and top it with honey-roasted cherries. To make this appetiser, preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a baking dish with baking paper and place a Camembert cheese round on it, brushing it with olive oil. In a separate bowl, mix together drained red cherries, honey, and rosemary. Transfer this mixture to another baking dish and roast for 15 minutes. Place the Camembert in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until soft. Remove the cheese from the oven, carefully transfer it to a serving plate, and top it with the roasted cherries. Serve immediately with French loaf slices.

If you're looking for a unique way to smoke Camembert, try smoking it on a low heat for about 30 minutes. While the cheese is smoking, cook frozen tart cherries in a saucepan until soft. Pour the cherries and their juice over the smoked Camembert. The sour cherries will pair well with the creamy cheese.

Strawberries

For a simple yet delicious pairing, you can serve fresh, sliced strawberries alongside a wheel of camembert. This combination allows the flavours of the cheese and fruit to shine.

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try baking the camembert and topping it with strawberries. This takes the pairing to the next level, creating a gooey, decadent treat. To balance the richness of the baked cheese, you can macerate the strawberries in balsamic vinegar and a touch of honey. This adds a tangy, sweet-and-sour element to the dish. For an extra crunch, you can also add some chopped nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, to the mix.

Another option is to create a camembert crostini with strawberries. Start by toasting slices of baguette until golden. Then, top each crostini with a slice of camembert and return it to the oven until the cheese softens. Finish by adding a spoonful of honeyed strawberries and a sprinkle of nuts. This combination is perfect for brunch or as an elegant appetiser.

Whether you choose fresh or baked camembert with your strawberries, this pairing is sure to impress and delight your taste buds.

Grapes

Camembert is a soft, creamy, earthy, and flavourful Northern French cheese. It is a good source of calcium and rich in phosphorus, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B2. It is also a source of vitamin B12, which has multiple health benefits.

Camembert is often served as part of a charcuterie board, with other cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and fruits. It can also be served as a spread on bread or crackers, in salads, or melted in various dishes.

When serving Camembert, it is important to let the cheese come to room temperature. Cold temperatures mute the flavours and aromas and keep the texture firm and waxy. Removing the cheese from the fridge 30 minutes to an hour before serving will result in the most delicious eating experience.

In addition to grapes, other fruits that pair well with Camembert include apples, pears, berries, and apricots.

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