Applewood Cheese: Perfect Pairing Ideas For Your Platter

Applewood cheese, or Applewood smoked cheddar, is a round, white, smoke-flavoured cheddar cheese. It is a semi-hard cheese with a crumbly and dense texture. The cheese is manufactured by Norseland Limited (formerly Ilchester Cheese Company) in Somerset, England. Applewood is not actually smoked but is treated with an artificial smoke flavouring and coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance. The cheese can be crumbled or grated over pasta or melted on pork chops to bring out its divine smoky taste. It also goes well with sweet foods like apples and raisins.

Applewood cheese with pork chops

Applewood cheese is a traditional farmhouse cheddar from Ilchester, England. It was first invented in 1965 in Somerset and is also known as Applewood smoked cheddar. The cheese is not actually smoked but is treated with an artificial smoky flavouring and a dusting of paprika to give it a golden-amber appearance.

Applewood cheese is a semi-hard, dense cheese with a crumbly texture and a spicy, smoky flavour. It can be crumbled or grated over pasta or melted on pork chops to add a divine smoky taste. Here is a suggested recipe for Applewood cheese with pork chops:

Ingredients:

• Applewood cheese
• Pork chops
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Granny Smith apple
• Maple bacon
• Flour
• Apple juice
• Chicken broth

Method:

First, cook the bacon until crisp, then drain and chop. Next, heat a skillet and add a swirl of olive oil. Cook the onions until they are soft and translucent, then push them to the side of the pan. Add the apples and a sprinkle of sugar, then saute for about 20 minutes. Transfer this mixture to a bowl.

Add another swirl of olive oil to the skillet and stir in the flour. Whisk in the apple juice and chicken broth, and boil until the mixture thickens. Add the cheese, stirring until it melts, and season with salt and pepper. Heat another skillet to medium and saute the pork chops until they are cooked through. Plate the pork chops with the gravy and crumbled bacon on top, and serve with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.

Variations:

You could also try adding some fresh herbs, such as tarragon, or a grainy Dijon mustard to the sauce. For a healthier option, use lean boneless pork loin and fresh apples instead of applesauce.

Applewood cheese with pasta

Applewood cheese is a traditional farmhouse cheddar from Ilchester in Somerset, England. It is a dense, semi-hard cheese with an artificial smoky flavour and a dusting of paprika. It can be crumbled or grated over pasta or melted on pork chops for a divine smoky taste. Here are some ways to use Applewood cheese with pasta:

Applewood Smoked Cheese Pesto and Pasta

This recipe by Simon Narracott includes fresh spaghetti or regular pasta, curly kale, breadcrumbs, Applewood spreadable cheese, and a medium red chilli. The kale is cut into small pieces and cooked with butter and lemon juice. The chilli is cut up and fried in olive oil with garlic, and the breadcrumbs are ripped apart and fried until golden. The Applewood spreadable cheese is melted into the kale mixture, and the pasta is served with the kale pesto and breadcrumbs on top.

Anything Goes Pasta

This community recipe submitted by anacabana includes cooked pasta, vegetables, garlic, chopped tomatoes, soft cream cheese, and Applewood smoked cheddar. The vegetables are fried in olive oil for 5 minutes, then garlic is added and stirred for 2 minutes. The tomatoes and soft cheese are added, and the mixture is simmered for 20 minutes. The cooked pasta is poured into the mixture, and the Applewood smoked cheese is grated on top.

Other Ideas

Applewood cheese can also be crumbled or grated over pasta. It goes well with sweet apples and raisins.

Applewood cheese with apples and raisins

Applewood cheese is a traditional farmhouse cheddar from Ilchester, Somerset, England. It is a semi-hard cheese with a distinctive smoky flavour and a creamy texture. It is not actually smoked but is treated with an artificial smoke flavouring and coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance.

Applewood cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be crumbled or grated over pasta, melted on pork chops, or enjoyed on its own. It pairs particularly well with sweet apples and raisins, creating a delightful combination of salty and sweet flavours.

Ingredients:

• Applewood cheese, grated or sliced
• Country bread, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Butter
• Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
• Shallot, thinly sliced
• Fresh rosemary, chopped
• Raisins

Instructions:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, then add the apples, shallots, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the apples are golden and softened, stirring occasionally.
• Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Top four of the bread slices with grated or sliced cheese, and the remaining four slices with the apple mixture.
• Place one cheese-topped slice and one apple-topped slice in the pan, drizzle with water, and cover. Cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crisp.
• Remove from the heat, sandwich the two pieces together, and serve immediately.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different types of bread, such as raisin bread or whole grain bread, or add your own twist with additional ingredients like mustard or chutney.

Applewood cheese with beer and wine

Applewood cheese is a traditional farmhouse cheddar from the Ilchester Cheese Company, which was first invented in 1965 in Somerset, England. It is a dense, semi-hard cheese with a crumbly texture and a smokey and spicy flavour. The cheese is not actually smoked but is treated with an artificial smoke flavouring and coated with mild paprika, giving it a golden-amber appearance.

Applewood cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be crumbled or grated over pasta, melted on pork chops, or enjoyed with sweet apples and raisins. Here are some specific recommendations for beer and wine pairings with Applewood cheese:

Applewood Cheese with Beer:

When pairing Applewood cheese with beer, look for brews that will complement the smoky and spicy flavours of the cheese. Here are some suggestions:

• Porters and stouts: The roasted malt flavours of porters and stouts can pair well with the smoky notes in Applewood cheese. Look for beers with notes of chocolate, coffee, or caramel that can enhance the cheese's complexity.
• India Pale Ales (IPAs): IPAs often have strong, bitter flavours that can stand up to the boldness of Applewood cheese. The hoppy, citrusy notes in some IPAs can also provide a refreshing contrast to the cheese's richness.
• Smoked beers: Given the artificial smoky flavour of Applewood cheese, a smoked beer could be an interesting pairing. The combination may accentuate the smoky qualities of both the beer and the cheese.

Applewood Cheese with Wine:

When it comes to wine, there are several options that can complement the unique flavour profile of Applewood cheese:

• Sparkling wine: The crisp acidity and bubbles of a sparkling wine can cut through the richness of Applewood cheese, providing a refreshing contrast. Look for a brut or extra brut style to balance the cheese's smoky and spicy notes.
• Riesling: A slightly sweet Riesling with bright, fruity notes can pair well with the cheese's spiciness. The wine's sweetness will also go nicely with the apple and raisin pairings often served with Applewood cheese.
• Chardonnay: A full-bodied Chardonnay with oaky or buttery notes can stand up to the bold flavours of Applewood cheese. The smokiness of the cheese may also be accentuated by the oaky characteristics of some Chardonnays.

Remember, these are just suggestions, and personal preference plays a significant role in finding the perfect pairing. Experiment with different beers and wines to discover the combinations that suit your taste buds!

Applewood cheese with sandwiches

Applewood cheese, also known as Applewood smoked cheddar, is a traditional farmhouse cheddar from Ilchester, Somerset, England. It is a semi-hard cheese with a distinctive smoky flavour and a golden-amber appearance, achieved by treating the cheese with an artificial smoke flavouring and dusting it with mild paprika.

Applewood cheese is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour of sandwiches. Here are some ways to incorporate Applewood cheese into your sandwich creations:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Create a classic grilled cheese sandwich by layering generous amounts of grated Applewood cheese between slices of bread. The slight tang and smoky notes of the cheese will add depth to the sandwich. Consider adding sliced tomatoes, spinach, or caramelised onions for extra flavour and texture.

Applewood BLT

Prepare a BLT sandwich by combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. Add a layer of Applewood cheese, which will complement the bacon's savouriness with its smoky flavour. For an extra touch of sweetness, spread a thin layer of apple butter or chutney on the bread.

Applewood and Apple Sandwich

Applewood cheese pairs well with sweet apples, so consider creating a sandwich that showcases this combination. Layer thin slices of apple with Applewood cheese on your favourite bread. To add a savoury element, incorporate a few slices of ham or prosciutto. A drizzle of honey or a spread of honey mustard can also enhance the flavours.

Applewood and Raisin Sandwich

In addition to apples, Applewood cheese goes well with raisins. Make a unique sandwich by combining Applewood cheese with raisins or grape halves. Toasted walnuts or pecans can add a crunchy texture to this sweet and savoury sandwich.

Applewood and Pork Sandwich

The smoky flavour of Applewood cheese pairs beautifully with pork. Create a hearty sandwich by layering slices of pork, such as grilled pork chops or pulled pork, with melted Applewood cheese. Add a tangy barbecue sauce or a spread of grainy mustard to complete the flavour profile.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment with your favourite sandwich ingredients and explore the versatility of Applewood cheese in your creations.

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