Delicious Pairings For Cheese And Crackers: A Guide To Perfection

Cheese and crackers are a classic combination that works for any occasion, whether it's a party, picnic, or a simple snack. While it's a delicious pairing on its own, there are endless possibilities to elevate this duo and create a beautiful, stand-out appetizer. From different types of crackers and cheeses to various toppings and pairings, you can easily customise cheese and crackers to your liking and get creative with your presentation and flavour combinations.

Fresh and dried fruit

First off, you can't go wrong with the classics: sliced apples and grapes. Apples, especially, pair well with sharp cheddar. If you want to stick with apples but mix it up a bit, try apple chips or apple slices with a smear of nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Pears are another juicy, fresh option that goes well with cheese and crackers.

For something a little different, try sliced peaches with Gruyère, or dried dates with blue cheese. If you're a fan of dried fruit, you could also pair dried apricots with your cheese and crackers.

Don't forget about berries, either! Fresh raspberries are a delicious and beautiful addition to any cheese and cracker platter.

And if you're feeling really adventurous, try some fresh or dried figs. They're a perfect match for a mild cheese like Brie. You can even spoon some fig preserves over the Brie for an extra special treat.

Meat and cheese

Prosciutto and Parmesan

The salty, savouriness of prosciutto pairs well with the nutty, complex flavour of Parmesan. This pairing is a great way to add a fancy touch to your cheese and crackers without much effort.

Deli Ham and Aged Gruyère

A classic combination, deli ham and Gruyère is a match made in heaven. The saltiness of the ham is balanced by the creamy, slightly sweet flavour of the aged Gruyère. This pairing is a great option for those who want a familiar yet elevated taste experience.

Pepperoni and Fontina

For those who enjoy a spicy kick, pepperoni is a great option to pair with cheese and crackers. Fontina, with its mild, nutty flavour, helps balance the spice of the pepperoni. This pairing offers a contrast of flavours that is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

Chicken Breast and Smoked Gouda

Chicken breast is a versatile protein that can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Smoked Gouda, with its smoky, slightly sweet flavour, is an excellent complement to the mild flavour of chicken. This pairing offers a delicious blend of flavours that is sure to satisfy.

Salami and Mozzarella

Salami, with its bold, spicy flavour, is a great match for the mild, creamy taste of mozzarella. This pairing offers a nice contrast of textures and flavours, making it a tasty addition to your cheese and crackers.

Bacon and Blue Cheese

Bacon's salty, smoky flavour is a perfect complement to the strong, pungent taste of blue cheese. This pairing is a classic combination that adds a touch of indulgence to your cheese and crackers.

Briny olives

Olives are a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various cheeses and crackers. When serving olives, it is recommended to use small bowls to hold them and place them on the board first before adding other ingredients. This helps to create a visually appealing display. Olives can also be mixed with other ingredients to create tapenades or spreads, such as a mixed olive tapenade.

When it comes to pairing olives with cheese, consider the following suggestions:

• Kalamata olives with cubed feta cheese
• Black olives with pepper jack cheese
• Green olives with provolone cheese
• Sicilian green olives with fresh cheeses such as chèvre, brie, or fontinella
• Large green olives from Puglia with saltier accompaniments like capers, anchovies, or gorgonzola cheese
• Black Kalamata olives, which are the most common variety found in grocery stores, pair well with salads, pastas, or tapenades
• Peranzana olives from Puglia, which are mildly fruity, pair well with cured Italian meats and fresh bread for dipping in their oil
• French olives, which are fruity and briny, pair well with soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert, and also with Provolone
• Olives from northern Italy, grown near the French border, are cured with an aromatic herb brine of rosemary, bay leaves, and thyme. These olives pair well with mild cheeses like brie or camembert and can be chopped and added to focaccia or tapenade.

In addition to the olives and cheese, consider adding other ingredients to your platter, such as cured meats, fruits, vegetables, and crackers or bread. Meats such as salami, sausages, pepperoni, or capicola can be a great addition. For fruits, consider figs, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or slices of apple or pear. As for vegetables, grape tomatoes, sweet pepper slices, carrots, or celery can add a refreshing touch. Finally, a variety of crackers or bread, such as baguette slices, pita bread, naan flatbread, or breadsticks, can provide a crunchy base for your toppings.

Granola

Savory Granola

For a truly savoury option, try making a batch of savoury granola bars or clusters. These are held together with cheese, such as Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano, which gives them a blissfully cheesy flavour. The bars can be cut into rectangles, squares, or triangles, and served as a wholesome snack. They can also be used as a base for other toppings, such as honey ricotta or fig preserves.

Savory Granola as a Binder

Savory granola can also be used as a binder in dishes such as salads or pasta. The granola crumbles left over from cutting the bars can be sprinkled on top of these dishes to add a bit of texture and flavour.

Experiment with Different Combinations

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of cheeses, herbs, and seeds in your granola. For example, you could try using Gruyère cheese, fresh thyme, and onion powder in your granola mixture. The savoury granola will have a lighter colour than its sweet counterpart but will still be crisp and tasty.

Veggies

When it comes to vegetables, there are plenty of options to accompany your cheese and crackers.

First off, raw veggies are a great option to create a crunchy bite when paired with bold cheeses. However, it's those pickled, roasted, and sun-dried veggies that often create the most dazzling flavour experiences.

Sun-dried tomatoes are an excellent choice to pair with cheese and crackers. They are bite-sized, pack a punch of flavour, and can be eaten as a snack on their own. The best sun-dried tomatoes are slightly chewy and glazed with seasoned oil, adding a sweet and acidic taste that cuts through thick, rich cheeses. Try pairing them with brie or camembert, which have a thick, creamy consistency and high fat content.

Pickled white asparagus is another great option, especially if you enjoy brie or camembert. Pickling gives white asparagus a sweet and sour taste, which helps to cut through the rich, creamy flavour of these soft-ripened cheeses.

If you're a fan of semi-soft cheeses like Monterey Jack or fontina, fresh green asparagus can be a delicious pairing. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette on the asparagus, add some garlic, salt, and pepper, and roast it for a meaty and earthy flavour.

Portobello mushrooms are also a fantastic vegetable to pair with cheese and crackers. A quick roast in a hot pan transforms their texture and taste. Semi-soft cheeses like Muenster and Havarti work well with roasted portobellos. You can also toss them in a pan with olive oil, sea salt, and oregano for a delicious salad.

For those who enjoy Spanish cheeses like Queso Fresco, Cotija, and Asadero, olives are an excellent pairing. Olives have a concentrated flavour that can bring out the sweetness of these cheeses. They offer a tangy, bitter, peppery, and salty taste that pairs well with the creaminess of cheese.

Lastly, radishes are a simple yet effective pairing with rich cheeses. An aged cheddar paired with thinly sliced radishes and a dash of salt is a classic combination.

So, there you have it! Plenty of veggie options to elevate your cheese and crackers. Get creative, experiment with different combinations, and enjoy discovering new flavours!

Frequently asked questions