The Perfect Pairings For Manchego Cheese: A Guide

Manchego cheese, a staple of Spanish cuisine, is a traditional cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a rich, complex flavour with buttery, nutty, tart, and sweet undertones. Its texture ranges from semi-hard to firm and crumbly, depending on its age. Manchego is most commonly eaten raw, served with traditional Spanish tapas, fresh bread, jamón, and marinated olives, or used as an ingredient in sandwiches. It also works well in recipes such as appetizers, tapas, mains like creamy risotto or pasta, and even pastries.

Salads

Apple, Fennel and Manchego Cheese Salad

A refreshing and crisp salad, this combination of Honeycrisp apple, basil leaves, fennel bulb, kosher salt, and olive oil is a perfect way to highlight the sweetness of the Manchego. The saltiness of the cheese will complement the fennel and apple, while the basil adds a touch of freshness.

Treviso Salad with Orange Vinaigrette and Manchego

For a more bitter and complex salad, Treviso (a long, thin variety of radicchio) is a great choice. If you can't find Treviso, endive or any other bitter chicory family member can be substituted. The sweet citrus dressing made with orange vinaigrette will play off the bitterness of the greens, and the Manchego will add a nice tangy and nutty flavour.

Arugula, Grape, and Almond Salad with Saba Vinaigrette

This salad features grapes in three forms: crushed and whisked into the vinaigrette, halved and tossed with arugula, and aged in saba, a balsamic-like syrup made from grape must. The Manchego cheese will add a nice creamy texture and a savoury element to balance the sweetness of the grapes.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples and Manchego Cheese

A heartier salad option, this combination of roasted butternut squash, apples, dried sage, walnut oil, and Manchego cheese is a perfect autumnal dish. The sweetness of the squash and apples will be complemented by the savoury, nutty flavours of the Manchego.

Crunchy Winter Slaw with Asian Pear and Manchego

Featuring daikon, a peppery, crunchy, and crisp winter vegetable, this slaw is a great way to showcase the versatility of Manchego in a salad. The Asian pear adds a touch of sweetness, while the Manchego brings a tangy and nutty flavour to the dish.

Tapas

Manchego cheese, a staple of Spanish cuisine, is a traditional cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a rich, complex flavour with buttery, nutty, tart, and sweet notes. Its taste and texture depend on how long it has been aged. Manchego is most commonly eaten raw, served with traditional Spanish tapas, fresh bread, jamón, and marinated olives, or in a simple sandwich.

Manchego Cheese and Jamón Serrano Crostini

Slice a baguette into 1-inch thick pieces and brush with olive oil. Toast the bread until golden, then rub with a clove of garlic. Top with thin slices of Manchego cheese and jamón Serrano, and a drizzle of honey.

Marinated Manchego with Orange Preserve

This tapas dish can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the week. Marinate chunks of Manchego in olive oil, fresh herbs, and orange zest. Serve with orange preserves and crusty bread.

Manchego Cheese and Garlic Dogs

Grill some sausages and toast hot dog buns. Top the sausages with sliced Manchego, chopped garlic, and fresh herbs.

Grilled Flatbreads with Caramelized Onions, Sausage, and Manchego Cheese

Top flatbreads with grilled sausages, caramelized onions, and grated Manchego. Drizzle with olive oil and grill until the cheese melts.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples and Manchego Cheese

Toss cubes of butternut squash and apple slices with olive oil, sage, and salt. Roast in the oven until tender and slightly caramelized. Top with crumbled Manchego cheese and a drizzle of walnut oil.

Sandwiches

Manchego cheese, a staple of Spanish cuisine, has a complex taste that is nutty, sweet, and milky. It is a great addition to sandwiches, where it can be swapped in for cheddar or gouda. Here are some sandwich ideas that feature Manchego cheese:

Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Manchego and Jamón Serrano

This sandwich combines the classic flavours of Spain. To make this sandwich, assemble the ingredients between slices of fresh and soft white bread.

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

This is a beautiful twist on a ham sandwich. It is a Spanish Monte Cristo sandwich, which is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Manchego and Prosciutto Bagel Sandwiches

For this sandwich, toast a bagel, slather it with butter, layer on the Manchego so it melts a little, and top it off with prosciutto.

Ham and Manchego Cheese Panini with Dipping Sauce

This sandwich combines sliced ham, Dijon mustard, country bread, apricot jam, and Manchego cheese.

Bocadillo de Salchichon

Bocadillo de Salchichon is one of the most popular sandwiches in Spain. It is served across the country in bars, taverns, and other simple eateries, often with a pint of cold beer.

Crackers and bread

Manchego cheese, a traditional Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk, is a versatile ingredient that can elevate simple dishes like crackers and bread. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate Manchego cheese into your cracker and bread creations:

Crackers

Manchego cheese can be the star of your next cracker spread or topping. Here are some ways to feature its unique flavour:

• Paprika and Manchego Cheese Crackers: Take your crackers to the next level by incorporating Manchego cheese into the dough. These crackers are made with garlic, raw almonds, salt, cold water, butter, and paprika for a subtle kick.
• Manchego Cheese Straws: For a more elegant option, try making cheese straws with Manchego. These delicate, crispy treats are made with flour, butter, salt, pepper, and egg yolks, all brought together by the sharpness of Manchego.
• Manchego Cheese and Fig Crostini: For a sweet and savoury bite, top your crackers or toasted bread slices with Manchego cheese, a dollop of fig jam, and some Marcona almonds. The combination of flavours and textures will delight your taste buds.
• Manchego Cheese Crackers with Membrillo: Create a classic Spanish pairing by serving Manchego cheese crackers with membrillo, a type of quince paste. This duo is a popular tapas option and is widely enjoyed in Spain.

Bread

Manchego cheese is a wonderful addition to bread, whether it's baked into the dough or used as a topping. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cherry Tomato and Manchego Cheese Focaccia: This bread showcases the combination of Manchego and cherry tomatoes, resulting in a flavourful and colourful focaccia. The recipe also includes olive oil, salt, bread flour, and dry active yeast.
• Grilled Flatbreads with Caramelized Onions, Sausage, and Manchego Cheese: Take your flatbreads up a notch by topping them with grilled sausage, caramelized onions, and melted Manchego cheese. It's a hearty and satisfying option.
• Sourdough Bread with Marinated Manchego Cheese and Roasted Peppers: For a more sophisticated sandwich, try pairing marinated Manchego with roasted peppers on sourdough bread. The tanginess of the cheese and the sweetness of the peppers create a delightful contrast.
• Walnut Toasts with Fig Jam and Manchego Cheese: For a sweet and savoury treat, spread some fig jam on walnut toasts and top them with thin slices of Manchego cheese. This combination is perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
• Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Manchego and Jamón Serrano: Create a Spanish twist on the classic grilled cheese by using Manchego cheese and Jamón Serrano (cured Spanish ham). It's a simple yet mouthwatering combination.

Meat dishes

Manchego cheese, a staple of Spanish cuisine, is traditionally made from sheep's milk and has a rich, complex flavour with buttery, nutty, tart, and sweet notes. Its unique taste makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of meat dishes. Here are some ideas for meat dishes that go well with Manchego cheese:

Pancetta, Pea & Manchego Cheese Risotto

A comforting dish that combines the salty, savoury flavours of pancetta with the sweetness of peas and the creaminess of Manchego cheese. The recipe calls for arborio rice, olive oil, shallots, and other simple ingredients to create a hearty meal.

Chorizo Meatballs with Manchego Cheese

A flavourful combination of Mexican-style pork chorizo and Manchego cheese, enhanced with basil leaves, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. These meatballs can be served as an appetiser or main course and are sure to impress with their blend of spices and cheese.

Bacon Manchego Cheese Burger

Take your burger game up a notch by adding Manchego cheese and bacon. This indulgent creation features ground beef, zucchini, sauce, and butter, resulting in a juicy and flavourful patty. The Manchego cheese adds a creamy texture and a subtle tang to the burger.

Grilled Pork Chops with Chorizo, Dates and Manchego Stuffing

For a sweet and savoury main course, try these grilled pork chops stuffed with chorizo, dates, and Manchego cheese. The combination of spices, sweetness from the dates, and creaminess from the cheese creates an explosion of flavours that will tantalise your taste buds.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Apples with Manchego Cheese

A delightful combination of sweet and savoury, this dish features Honeycrisp apples wrapped in prosciutto and paired with Manchego cheese. The salty, cured meat and creamy cheese complement the sweetness of the apples, making it a refreshing appetiser or snack.

Frequently asked questions