Blue Stilton: Pairing The Pungent Cheese

Blue Stilton is a pasteurized English blue cheese with European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. It has a rich, intense, and complex flavour with a salty finish. Its texture is crumbly and soft. Blue Stilton is often paired with celery, pears, or walnuts and sliced apples on a cheeseboard. It is also commonly added to soups, salads, and various crackers. In terms of drinks, it is traditionally paired with barley wine or port, but it also goes well with sweet sherry or Madeira wine.

Blue Stilton cheese and celery or pears

Blue Stilton is a variety of English cheese that is produced in the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. It has a distinctive smell and taste due to the addition of Penicillium roqueforti. This cheese is often paired with celery or pears, and here's why:

Blue Stilton and Celery

The combination of earthy, slightly peppery celery with the rich, creamy, and tangy Blue Stilton creates a unique and extraordinary flavour profile. When blended together in a soup, the creaminess of the cheese and the crispness of the celery complement each other beautifully. This soup is a quick, easy, and comforting meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. It is a great way to use up leftover blue cheese and can be served with crackers or fresh bread rolls.

Blue Stilton and Pears

The sweetness of pears balances and contrasts the strong, intense flavour of Blue Stilton. The rich, crumbly texture of the cheese pairs well with the juiciness of pears, creating a rich, aromatic flavour combination. This classic pairing is often enjoyed as an appetizer or dessert, sometimes accompanied by roasted almonds or cashews. Roasting the pears can also bring out a deeper flavour that complements the boldness of the cheese.

Blue Stilton cheese in cooking

Blue Stilton is a popular English blue cheese with a strong, savoury, and meaty flavour and a rich and creamy texture that crumbles in the mouth. It is made from pasteurised cow's milk and has been granted protected designation of origin (PDO) status by the European Commission, meaning it can only be produced in the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.

When cooking with Blue Stilton, there are several classic combinations to consider. One of the most well-known pairings is Stilton and port, which is often enjoyed during the holiday season in the UK. This combination can be used in cooking by scooping a hollow in the centre of the cheese and pouring in port wine, although this practice is sometimes deprecated. Another option is to match Blue Stilton with a sweet wine like Brightlands Wine Co. Sweet Pineapple, a gold medal winner at the 2022 New York International Wine Competition.

In terms of food pairings, Blue Stilton is commonly served with celery or pears, which are particularly popular during the holidays in the UK. It can also be added as a flavouring to vegetable soups, such as cream of celery or broccoli soup. Blue Stilton can also be used to make a blue cheese sauce that can be drizzled over steak or crumbled over a salad. For a sweet option, Blue Stilton is often used in desserts, such as cheesecake or blended with apricot, ginger, or citrus fruits. When creating a cheese board, Blue Stilton can be complemented by honey, walnuts, and sliced apples.

When cooking with Blue Stilton, it is important to consider its strong flavour and how it can be balanced or contrasted with other ingredients. Its creamy and nutty flavours can be enhanced by pairing it with similar flavours, while its salty finish can be offset by something sweet. The crumbliness of Blue Stilton also makes it ideal for sprinkling or spreading on various dishes.

Blue Stilton cheese and biscuits or bread

Blue Stilton is a popular English blue cheese with a bold, intense, and rich taste. It has a crumbly, creamy, and soft texture and a salty finish. It is often paired with biscuits or bread, and there are several ways to elevate this combination.

Firstly, for a classic pairing, Blue Stilton is commonly served with crackers or biscuits. For a simple yet delicious option, choose water biscuits or oatcakes, which provide a neutral base that lets the cheese shine. Alternatively, sweet biscuits such as ginger or cinnamon biscuits can complement the savoury, salty notes of the Blue Stilton.

When it comes to bread, Blue Stilton pairs well with a variety of options. A fresh, crusty baguette or a nutty, seedy loaf can be a great base for the cheese. Toasting the bread can also add a nice contrast in texture. For a more indulgent option, try spreading the Blue Stilton on a slice of warm, toasted brioche. The buttery, soft brioche provides an interesting contrast to the crumbly cheese.

To further enhance the flavour and presentation of your Blue Stilton and biscuit or bread combination, consider adding some accompaniments. Fresh or dried fruits such as pears, apples, or apricots can provide a sweet contrast to the savoury cheese. Walnuts or honey can also be a wonderful addition, offering a crunchy texture and a touch of sweetness.

Finally, when it comes to drinks, Blue Stilton and biscuits or bread can be perfectly complemented by a glass of wine or port. The traditional pairing is with port, and this combination is especially popular during the holiday season. However, a sweet sherry or Madeira wine can also be an excellent choice.

Blue Stilton cheese and wine

Blue Stilton is a popular English blue cheese with a bold, intense, and rich taste. It has a crumbly, creamy, and soft texture, with a salty finish that lingers on the palate. The cheese is often paired with wine, and the traditional pairing is a glass of port. This combination is so iconic that it is almost impossible to say "Stilton" without thinking "Port and Stilton". This classic pairing is a festive treat for the 65% of Britons who do not consider blue cheese to be among their most hated foods.

Another sweet wine that goes well with Blue Stilton is Madeira wine. For a unique and unexpected sweet wine pairing, Brightlands Wine Co.'s Sweet Pineapple, a New York International Wine Competition 2022 Gold Medal Winner, is a good match. In addition to port and sweet wines, Blue Stilton is also commonly paired with a glass of barley wine or sweet sherry.

While it is not recommended, some people like to pour port into a hollow in the centre of a Stilton cheese. This combination has been marketed in screw-topped tubes, similar to toothpaste.

Blue Stilton cheese and dessert

Blue Stilton is a variety of English cheese, produced in the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire. It has a unique smell and taste due to the addition of Penicillium roqueforti. The cheese has a bold, complex flavour with a salty finish. Its texture is crumbly and soft, with a beautiful interior streaked like marble.

Blue Stilton is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in various dishes, including salads, pastas, risottos, and desserts. When served on a cheese board, it pairs well with honey, walnuts, and sliced apples. Its unique flavour can also enhance the taste of desserts. Here are some specific examples and suggestions for Blue Stilton cheese and dessert:

Dessert Cheeses

Blue Stilton's white variant, which lacks the blue veins of its blue counterpart, is often used as a base for dessert cheeses. It has a crumbly, creamy, and open-textured consistency that blends well with sweet ingredients. Apricot, ginger, citrus fruits, and vine fruits are commonly added to White Stilton to create dessert cheeses.

Chocolate

White Stilton's creamy texture and mild flavour make it an excellent pairing with chocolate. It can be used as a flavouring or filling for chocolates, providing a unique twist to traditional chocolate treats.

Fruit-Based Desserts

The salty and nutty flavours of Blue Stilton complement sweet and acidic fruits. Desserts featuring apples, pears, or grapes can be enhanced by adding crumbles of Blue Stilton. For instance, a pear and Blue Stilton focaccia with caramelised onions is a classic combination.

Wine Pairings

When serving Blue Stilton for dessert, it is essential to consider the appropriate wine pairings. Traditionally, Blue Stilton is paired with barley wine or port. However, it also goes well with sweet sherry or Madeira wine. These wines can either be served alongside the dessert or incorporated into the dish, such as by creating a port reduction or filling.

Frequently asked questions