Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a bold, sharp, and tangy cheese with grassy notes and hints of mushroom. It can be crumbly or buttery, pungent or creamy, and is definitely an acquired taste. But what goes with blue cheese and crackers? Well, blue cheese is often served with fresh or dried fruit, like figs, pears, apples, and apricots, which add a touch of sweetness to balance the richness of the cheese. It's also commonly paired with honey, jams, and nuts, like walnuts, pecans, or almonds. If you're looking for something more savoury, blue cheese and crackers can be topped with meats like beef or chicken, or served with bread on the side.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of food | Fruits, nuts, crackers, bread, jams, honey, chutney, chocolate, vegetables, herbs, flowers, meat |
| Specific examples | Figs, pears, apples, apricots, raisins, cranberries, walnuts, almonds, beef, steak, rosemary, sea holly, thyme |
| Specific cracker suggestions | Whole grain, nut-based, wafer, graham crackers, sugar cookies, Carr's Whole Wheat, Town House Original, Salted Rosemary Water Crackers |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese and crackers with fruit
Blue cheese is a bold, sharp, tangy, and rich cheese with grassy notes and hints of mushroom. Its unique flavour profile makes it a challenging food to pair with, but also a rewarding one. The right combination of flavours can bring out the best in blue cheese, enhancing and building upon its intensity.
Fruits are an excellent choice to accompany blue cheese and crackers. Fresh or dried fruits like figs, pears, apples, apricots, raisins, and cranberries add a touch of sweetness and acidity, balancing the richness of the cheese. They also provide a nice textural contrast to the creaminess of the blue cheese. For a simple yet elegant pairing, try arranging crackers on a serving tray, layering them with pear slices and chicken pieces, and topping with blue cheese and walnuts. A drizzle of honey adds a touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the salty, creamy blue cheese.
For a more indulgent option, dark chocolate is a surprisingly good match for blue cheese and crackers. Blue cheese's strong and pungent notes complement the robust undertones of dark chocolate. This pairing may seem unconventional, but it offers a complex interplay of flavours that is sure to intrigue your taste buds.
When creating a cheese board, it's essential to choose a variety of accompaniments that will enhance the flavour of the blue cheese. In addition to fruits, consider including nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, as well as honey and jams. These sweet and crunchy additions provide a delightful contrast to the salty, creamy blue cheese. For a well-rounded board, don't forget to add some crackers or crusty bread for a neutral base that allows the cheese to shine.
Lettuce and Blue Cheese: Carb Counts and Nutrition Facts
You may want to see also
Nuts and honey as toppings
Blue cheese and crackers are a classic combination, and adding nuts and honey as toppings can take this pairing to the next level. Here are some ideas and suggestions for creating a delicious and elegant appetizer or snack:
Choose the Right Blue Cheese
Start by selecting a good-quality blue cheese. Look for options like Cambozola, Brie, or Saint Andre, which are strong yet soft cheeses that complement the sweetness of honey beautifully. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try more pungent varieties like Roquefort or Stilton, which have a bold and distinctive flavour.
Nuts as Toppings
Nuts add a delightful crunch and depth of flavour to the creamy blue cheese and sweet honey. Toasted walnuts are a classic choice and go exceptionally well with blue cheese and honey. You can dry toast the walnuts until they are fragrant and just beginning to smoke, or you can buy pre-toasted walnuts to save time. Other nuts like pecans, almonds, and cashews also work well and offer a variety of textures and tastes.
Drizzle with Honey
Honey is the key ingredient that brings all the flavours together. Look for local honey, as it often has a unique flavour profile depending on the region's flora. Drizzle the honey liberally over the blue cheese and nuts. The sweetness of the honey will balance the sharpness of the blue cheese, creating a delightful contrast.
Choose Your Crackers
Select crackers that can hold up to the weight of the toppings. Water crackers, whole grain crackers, or simple saltine crackers are excellent choices. You can also use crusty bread or baguette slices, brushed with olive oil and toasted, for a heartier base.
Presentation and Serving
When plating, arrange the blue cheese on a serving platter, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle the toasted nuts on top. Alternatively, you can serve the blue cheese, honey, nuts, and crackers separately, allowing your guests to assemble their own bites. Pair this appetizer with a glass of wine, such as a crisp white or a bold red, to enhance the flavour experience.
Remember, this combination of blue cheese, nuts, honey, and crackers offers a range of textures and flavours that will tantalize your taste buds. It's the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury, making it an elegant and impressive appetizer for any occasion.
Unveiling Blue Cheese: Ancient Discovery, Modern Delicacy
You may want to see also
Wafer crackers
Blue Cheese Wafers
For a simple, yet delicious option, you can make blue cheese wafers. This recipe combines blue cheese and butter, creating a fluffy mixture, to which you add flour and cayenne pepper for a hint of spice. The dough is then shaped into logs, refrigerated, and sliced into wafers before baking.
Garlic Parmesan Blue Cheese Crackers
If you're looking for a more savory option, these crackers include garlic and Parmesan cheese in the dough, along with blue cheese and butter. The addition of crunchy sesame seeds on the outside provides a nice textural contrast.
Blue Cheese and Walnut Crackers
For a heartier option, you can add walnuts to your blue cheese crackers. This combination can be served on whole-grain crackers or incorporated into the cracker dough itself, as seen in the recipe by Ina Garten.
Pairings with Fruit and Jam
Blue cheese pairs well with a variety of fruits and savory jams. You can serve your wafer crackers with blue cheese alongside fresh fruits like figs, pears, or apples, or dried fruits like apricots, raisins, or cranberries. Alternatively, top your crackers with a fruit spread or chutney, such as a wild blueberry maple walnut compote or cranberry orange cognac chutney.
Remember, when creating a cheese platter, it's ideal to offer a variety of textures and flavors to create a well-rounded and enjoyable tasting experience.
Blue Cheese Lactose Content: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sweet crackers
When it comes to sweet crackers, there are several options that can be paired with blue cheese. Here are some suggestions:
Flavoured Crackers
Honey
Honey is a natural sweet pairing for blue cheese, and it can be drizzled over crackers to enhance their flavour. The combination of honey and blue cheese provides a delightful contrast of sweet and savoury notes.
Sweet Biscuits
Sweet biscuits, such as thin biscotti or sugar cookies, can also be considered sweet crackers. These unconventional choices can be paired with blue cheese for a unique flavour experience. The sweetness of the biscuits can balance the sharpness of the blue cheese.
Jam
A slightly tart layer of jam on a cracker can be a wonderful base for blue cheese. Consider a Triple Ale Onion Jam Spread or a Wild Blueberry Maple Walnut Compote to add a touch of sweetness to your cracker and cheese combination.
Fruit
Fruits like grapes, apples, and berries can be a refreshing and sweet complement to blue cheese. They can be served alongside the crackers or incorporated into the cracker itself, such as in the form of fruit and nut crackers.
Sweet Nuts
Nuts, such as walnuts, can be a sweet and crunchy addition to crackers when paired with blue cheese. They provide a nice textural contrast and enhance the overall flavour profile of the snack.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Is It Keto-Friendly?
You may want to see also
Meat and blue cheese crackers
Blue cheese is known for its bold, sharp, and tangy flavor with grassy notes and hints of mushroom. Its texture can vary from buttery to crumbly. This distinct style of cheese is often paired with crackers, fruits, nuts, and meats.
When it comes to meat and blue cheese crackers, there are several ways to incorporate meat into this combination. Here are some ideas:
Rotisserie Chicken and Pear Blue Cheese Crackers with Honey
This appetizer features crackers topped with slices of juicy pear, rotisserie chicken, dried cranberries, blue cheese, and walnuts, drizzled with honey and garnished with thyme. The sweetness of the pear and honey pairs well with the saltiness of the blue cheese, while the chicken adds a savory element to the bite-sized treats.
Blue Cheese and Walnut Crackers with Meat Platter
For a heartier option, you can create a meat and cheese platter with blue cheese and walnut crackers as the centerpiece. Pair the crackers with various cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, or pepperoni. You can also include other complementary items on the platter, such as whole grain crackers, dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, or raisins), fresh fruits (figs, pears, or apples), and additional nuts (almonds or walnuts).
Blue Cheese and Meat Charcuterie Board
Create a charcuterie board featuring blue cheese and crackers alongside an assortment of meats. Cured meats like salami, pepperoni, or prosciutto "lollipops" can be added, as well as sliced meats such as roast beef or turkey. Include a variety of crackers, such as water crackers, wafer crackers, or crostini. You can also add other complementary items, such as olives, cornichons, or pickled vegetables.
Blue Cheese and Meat Crackers with Jam or Chutney
Top your crackers with blue cheese and a savory jam or chutney, such as a Triple Ale Onion Jam or a Wild Blueberry Maple Walnut Compote. Then, add a slice of meat to create a savory and sweet bite. Suggested meat options could include salami, prosciutto, or even a thin slice of steak.
When creating meat and blue cheese crackers, it's important to remember that blue cheese has a strong flavor, so it's best paired with mild-flavored meats that won't overpower the cheese. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of crackers to add texture and flavor to your creations.
The Many Names of Blue Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Suggested crackers to pair with blue cheese include Town House Original Crackers, Carr's Whole Wheat Crackers, and Craize, a line of round thin toasted corn crackers.
Blue cheese and crackers can be paired with fruits such as pears, apples, and figs, as well as nuts like walnuts, pecans, and almonds. You can also add honey or jams such as the Wild Blueberry Maple Walnut Compote or Triple Ale Onion Jam Spread.
Blue cheese pairs well with beef, preferably steak, and bread such as crusty bread or crostini. It can also be paired with other cheeses like Gorgonzola, or sweet treats like dark chocolate.
Blue cheese has a unique flavour and texture, and there are many varieties to explore, including mild blues, Roquefort, Stilton, and Gorgonzola.
