Delicious Food Pairings: The Perfect Companions For Cheese

Cheese is delicious on its own, but sometimes it's nice to change things up. Whether you're a novice or an experienced cheese enthusiast, pairing cheese with the right food and drink is one of life's most enjoyable culinary pleasures. The ultimate goal of pairing cheese is simple: to create a delicious tasting experience from beginning to end. So, what goes well with cheese?

Fresh and dried fruit

When it comes to fresh fruit, sliced apples are a classic pairing with sharp cheddar. Sliced peaches also work well with Gruyère, and you can't go wrong with some berries. If you're feeling adventurous, try some sliced cucumbers with Swiss cheese, or radishes with Havarti. Tomatoes and ricotta with a sprinkle of salt is another refreshing option.

As for dried fruit, dried dates and blue cheese is a delicious combination. You can also try dried apricots or raisins with a strong, hard cheese such as pecorino or Parmesan. Dried cranberries or cherries can also add a nice touch of sweetness to a cheese plate, especially with a creamy cheese like Brie or Camembert.

Remember, when pairing cheese and fruit, it's best to focus on what doesn't work rather than what does. Stay away from more citrusy fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons, as they tend to overpower the cheese and enhance the stronger flavours in a way that may be unpleasant. Otherwise, feel free to experiment with different combinations of fresh and dried fruits to find your favourite pairings!

Meat

When it comes to meat and cheese, there are endless combinations to delight your taste buds. Whether you're crafting a charcuterie board or whipping up a hearty meal, here are some mouth-watering meat and cheese pairings to consider:

Salami and Gouda

Salami, an Italian cured sausage, boasts a complex flavour profile that includes spicy, sweet, hot, herby, and savoury notes. Gouda, a semi-hard Dutch cheese, comes in a variety of flavours, from aged and smoky to spice-infused and herb-flecked. The sweetness and nuttiness of gouda beautifully complement the savoury and spicy undertones of salami. Enjoy this pairing in a sandwich, on its own, or get creative with a gouda and salami frico.

Prosciutto and Swiss Cheese

Prosciutto, a delicate Italian dry-cured ham, pairs exceptionally well with sharper cheeses like Swiss cheese. Wrap a slice of prosciutto around a piece of Swiss cheese for a delectable meat-and-cheese roll-up. For an easy meal, grill a sandwich with prosciutto, Swiss cheese, and bread until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. The salty and sweet flavours of prosciutto are enhanced by the sharpness of Swiss cheese.

Pepper Jack and Ground Beef

For a hearty appetizer or meal, combine pepper jack cheese with ground beef. This Mexican-style combination can be turned into a beef queso dip, served with corn chips or fresh vegetable sticks. Pepper Jack's bold flavour gives the ground beef a nice tang, and it also makes for a super-gooey cheese sauce. This pairing is versatile and can be used as a sauce over roasted vegetables, pasta, or baked potatoes.

Soppressata and Havarti

Soppressata is an Italian dry-cured pork salami seasoned with salt, dried chilli, black peppercorns, and red wine. Its flavour can vary, ranging from sweet to salty or spicy. Havarti, on the other hand, is a semi-soft cow's cheese with a buttery aroma and a creamy, smooth texture. When paired together, the butteriness of Havarti enhances the herbs and spices in the soppressata, resulting in a tantalizing fusion of flavours.

Monterey Jack and Salami

Monterey Jack cheese has a mild, buttery flavour with a slight tang and melts exceptionally well. Salami, an Italian cured sausage, contributes a spiced, herby taste. Together, they create a delicious combination that can be enjoyed on crackers, grilled in a tortilla, or added to burgers, quesadillas, and nachos.

Parmesan and Prosciutto

Parmesan, with its rich, tangy, nutty, sharp, and fruity notes, has a strong umami profile that beautifully complements the sweet and salty flavours of prosciutto. For the ultimate flavour experience, serve paper-thin slices of prosciutto with slivers of Parmesan, secured with a toothpick. For an extra touch of sweetness and acidity, add a piece of dried fig or apricot.

Briny olives

Kalamata olives and cubed feta

The salty, briny flavour of Kalamata olives pairs perfectly with the creamy, tangy feta cheese. The firm texture of the olives also provides a nice contrast to the softness of the feta.

Black olives and pepper jack

Black olives have a milder flavour than Kalamata olives, so they can be paired with a stronger cheese like pepper jack. The peppery kick of the cheese will be balanced by the fruity, briny flavour of the black olives.

Green olives and provolone

Green olives have a more subtle flavour than black or Kalamata olives, so they pair well with a mild, creamy cheese like provolone. The provolone will also add a bit of sweetness to the combination.

When pairing cheese and olives, it's important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Creamy cheeses go well with the briny flavour of olives, and the different textures create an interesting contrast. You can also try mixing and matching different types of olives and cheeses to find your favourite combinations.

In addition to the above suggestions, you can also experiment with other types of olives such as Castelvetrano, Cerignola, or Niçoise olives, and cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, or blue cheese. Remember to have fun and get creative with your pairings!

Granola

Savory Granola

One of the most common ways to eat granola is as a breakfast cereal, with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit. It can also be added to overnight oats or chia pudding for extra crunch and flavour. For a warm breakfast option, granola can be heated with milk to make a hot cereal.

Other Ideas

Vegetables

When it comes to pairing cheese with vegetables, there are numerous options to choose from. While raw veggies can create a wonderful crunchy bite when paired with bold cheeses, it is often those that are pickled, roasted, or sun-dried that create the most dazzling flavour experiences.

For instance, roasted red peppers pair well with a sharp, buttery cheese like Vermont Sharp Cheddar. The tender, subtle sweetness of the roasted red peppers complements the slight acidity and full-flavoured tang of the cheese. Another option is to pair vibrant, tangy pickles with a sophisticated, sharp cheese like Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar. The creaminess of the cheese and the tang of the pickles create a refreshing combination.

If you're looking for something a little different, try pairing eggplant with a citrusy, extra sharp cheese. The cool flavour and mild acidity of the eggplant complement the tang of the cheese. Or, for a fun twist on pizza night, top portobello mushrooms with pizza sauce and a creamy, earthy cheese like Lite50 Sharp Cheddar. The meatiness of the mushrooms pairs well with the creaminess of the cheese.

Sun-dried tomatoes are another great option to pair with cheese. Their sweet and acidic flavour cuts through thick, rich cheeses like brie or camembert. The acidity in the sun-dried tomatoes helps to balance the high fat content of these cheeses. Similarly, pickled white asparagus pairs well with creamy, soft-ripened cheeses like brie and camembert. The sweet and sour flavour of the asparagus helps to cut through the richness of these cheeses.

For a summer salad, try pairing roasted mushrooms with semi-soft cheeses like Muenster or Havarti. The earthiness and slight sweetness of the roasted mushrooms go well with the creaminess of these cheeses. And, of course, let's not forget the classic combination of thinly sliced apple with a semi-soft cheese like Colby or Monterey Jack. The tartness of the apple complements the creaminess of the cheese.

Frequently asked questions