The Perfect Pairings For Stilton Cheese

A British blue cheese with a salty, earthy flavour and blue mould veins, Stilton is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. From salads to bakes, dips, dressings, soups and even slaws, there are many ways to enjoy this strong-flavoured cheese. So, what are some of the best combinations and dishes that utilise Stilton?

Salads

A classic combination is a salad of pears, chicory and walnuts. The walnuts add an earthy depth and firm texture to the creamy, salty blue cheese and ripe, sweet pears. Drizzle with a little honey and walnut oil to bring the flavours together.

Another option is to use roasted beetroot with blue cheese in a salad. The vibrant beetroot, with its earthy, sweet flavour, is a great match for the strong blue cheese. This salad can be served with crunchy blue cheese sourdough toasts, or the beetroot can be made into a soup, topped with the blue cheese toasts.

A blue cheese, butternut and barley salad is another robust option. The roasted onions and squash, deep-flavoured cheese, crunchy nuts and healthier grains make for a hearty, colourful dish.

For a lighter option, a spring green salad with parsley and blue cheese is a vibrant, healthy choice. The blue cheese can be substituted with another strong cheese, such as Stilton, and kale or chard can be used instead of spring greens.

A broccoli and blue cheese salad is another simple side dish, ideal for summer. The purple sprouting broccoli is matched with a blue cheese and garlic dressing and sprinkled with toasted almonds for added crunch.

Soups

There are several soup recipes that pair well with the strong, salty flavour of Stilton cheese. Here are some ideas for soups that incorporate Stilton:

Celery and Stilton Soup

This soup combines the mild, sweet, and nutty flavour of celery with the salty, earthy flavour of Stilton. The recipe calls for butter, onion, garlic, celery or celeriac, carrot, stock (vegetable or chicken), white wine, a bay leaf, thyme, milk, and Stilton. The vegetables are cooked and blended, then combined with milk and crumbled Stilton. The soup is seasoned and served with additional crumbled Stilton on top.

Potato and Stilton Soup

A simple and delicious soup that can be frozen and saved for later. The recipe calls for potatoes and Stilton cheese as the main ingredients.

Broccoli Soup with Blue Cheese Croutons

This soup uses broccoli as the main ingredient and adds leftover Stilton to create a strong, tangy flavour. The soup is served with croutons made from blue cheese.

Roast Beetroot Soup with Blue Cheese Toasts

A vibrant and creamy beetroot soup served with crunchy blue cheese sourdough toasts. This soup is perfect for autumn or as a dinner party starter.

Savoury bakes

Stilton is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of savoury bakes. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Pies and Tarts

Stilton is a popular ingredient in pies and tarts, adding a creamy richness to the dish. Try a classic steak and Stilton pie, or get creative with a ham and pickled pear blue cheese tart. For a vegetarian option, a fig and blue cheese tart with walnut pastry is a delicious choice.

Bakes and Gratins

Stilton can be baked with vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or potatoes to create indulgent and comforting dishes. A cauliflower, leek and blue cheese gratin is a perfect winter warmer, while a potato and Stilton soup is a tasty option that can be frozen for later.

Pasta Bakes

Blue cheese pairs well with pasta, especially in baked dishes. Try a blue cheese, leek and mushroom pasta bake, or roasted red onion, walnut and blue cheese pasta for a quick and easy midweek meal.

Savoury Breads

Stilton can also be used in savoury breads and pastries. Sage and blue cheese shortbreads are a unique addition to a cheeseboard, while Stilton and spinach pancakes with soft egg are a delicious brunch option.

With its strong, salty flavour, Stilton adds depth and richness to savoury bakes. These ideas should provide a good starting point for incorporating this versatile cheese into your baking repertoire.

Meat dishes

When it comes to meat dishes that pair well with Stilton cheese, there are several mouth-watering options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Steak and Stilton Pie

A classic British dish, this hearty pie combines tender chunks of beef with the rich, creamy flavour of Stilton. Simply crumble some Stilton over the beef pie filling before sealing the pastry lid. This addition gives the dish a deliciously indulgent texture and taste.

Ham and Blue Cheese Croquettes

These croquettes are an excellent way to use up leftover ham. The saltiness of the ham complements the strong, salty-sweet flavour of the blue cheese. For an extra indulgent touch, you could use a combination of Stilton and another blue cheese, such as Danish blue or Gorgonzola.

Ragù and Blue Cheese Baked Pasta

For a meaty, cheesy delight, try this baked pasta dish. The rich, meaty ragù is elevated by the addition of generous amounts of blue cheese. This dish is perfect for a cold winter's night, providing comfort and warmth.

Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce

Take your steak dinner up a notch by serving it with a classic blue cheese sauce. The sharpness of the blue cheese cuts through the richness of the steak, creating a flavour sensation. Serve with crispy fries seasoned with mild chilli powder for a satisfying meal.

Brisket Sandwiches with Beer Onions and Blue Cheese

Slow-cooked brisket in ale is taken to the next level when stuffed into a bun with sticky sweet onions and the tang of blue cheese. This combination of flavours and textures will leave you wanting more.

Bacon and Blue Cheese-Stuffed Burgers

These juicy burgers use an American technique of mixing the bacon and blue cheese into the patty itself, resulting in a burst of flavour in every bite. The saltiness of the bacon enhances the creaminess of the blue cheese, making these burgers a crowd favourite.

Sweet treats

Blue cheeses like stilton are known for their salty, earthy flavour and their ability to cut through rich meats. They are commonly paired with fruits, honey, and nuts, and are a popular addition to sweet treats. Here are some sweet treat ideas that go well with stilton cheese:

Figs

The sweetness of figs is a perfect match for the salty creaminess of stilton. Cut open the figs, stuff them with stilton, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and bake in a hot oven for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, bake figs with stilton and walnuts, or simply serve stilton with fig jam or a fig spread.

Honey

Blue cheese and honey is a classic combination. Drizzle honey on toast with stilton, or make a blue cheese and honey tartine (an open-faced sandwich, often made with sourdough bread). You can also grill the stilton and honey toast for a minute or so, until the cheese begins to melt.

Pears

Pears and stilton is a classic combination, often served as a salad with walnuts and a drizzle of honey. You can also bake a pear and blue cheese tart with walnut pastry, or serve pears with stilton and walnut oil.

Apples

Try making a roasted apple, cheese, and shallot pithivier (a French puff pastry pie). Combine apples and shallots with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and thyme sprigs. Roast the mixture, layer it with crumbled blue cheese in puff pastry, and bake until golden brown.

Nuts

Nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts pair well with blue cheese. In addition to the aforementioned pear, walnut, and blue cheese combinations, you can also make walnut shortbreads with leftover blue cheese or top a blue cheese-stuffed fig with chopped walnuts.

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