Smoked Cheese: The Perfect Pairing Guide For Foodies

Smoked cheese is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. A range of cheeses can be smoked, from hard cheeses like cheddar to softer ones like brie, adding an extra layer of flavour. So what goes well with smoked cheese? Well, a good-quality ham and some sweet relish in a sandwich is a great option. You could also try grated smoked cheese on your tacos or simply add it to a cheeseboard for an extra dimension. If you want to pair it with a beverage, try something sweet to complement the nutty, slightly fruity flavour of smoked cheddar.

What Goes with Smoked Cheese?

Smoked cheese sandwich

Smoked cheese is a delicious treat and can be a great addition to your meal. Here are some ideas for creating a mouth-watering smoked cheese sandwich:

Ingredients

When it comes to smoked cheese, there are several varieties to choose from, such as Smoked Baby Swiss, Smoked Bacon Cheese, Smoked Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Smoked Mozzarella, and Smoked Provolone. For a sandwich, thin slices of smoked cheese with a good quality ham and a sweet relish to offset the smokiness will make a very special combination. You can also add some extra flavours like garlic, Dijon mustard, or hot sauce.

Bread

The choice of bread is crucial. While classic white bread is a good option, upgrading to an artisan loaf of sourdough will add a tangy flavour that pairs well with the salty cheese and ham. The crust and strength of the bread are important, as it needs to withstand the heat and temperature of the grill.

Cooking

To cook the sandwich, you can use a smoker, grill, or a stovetop. Preheat your grill or smoker to around 350-375°F. Butter your bread, assemble the sandwich, and place it on a hot skillet. For an even crispier crust, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the outside of the bread. Press the sandwich with a sandwich press or another cast-iron pan to weigh it down. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side, keeping a close eye to ensure it doesn't burn.

Sides

To accompany your smoked cheese sandwich, consider adding some sides or a small salad. Tart apples or white grapes go exceptionally well with smoked cheese, providing a perfect balance of flavours.

There you have it! A delicious smoked cheese sandwich, sure to impress your taste buds and your guests.

Smoked cheese and onion pasties

Ingredients:

• 250g/9oz floury potatoes, peeled
• 1 tsp butter, plus extra for greasing
• Dash of milk
• 200g/7oz smoked cheese, grated
• 1 tsp English mustard
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• 2 x 320g/11½oz ready-rolled puff pastry sheet, defrosted and chilled
• 1 free-range egg, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

• Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add the potatoes. Cover and cook on a simmering boil for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Mash the potatoes with the butter and milk and season to taste with salt and pepper. Leave the potato to completely cool.
• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Lightly grease a baking tray with the butter.
• Place the mashed potato, cheese, mustard and spring onions in a mixing bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Unwrap and place the sheet of pastry on a work surface. Cut the sheet into six even-sized rectangles. With a short side nearest you, place a third of the potato mixture on the lower half of each rectangle. Brush the edges of each rectangle with some of the beaten egg and fold over the top half of each rectangle to make a square pasty.
• Crimp the edges of the pasties with a fork and brush the tops with the remaining egg.
• Place the pasties on the prepared baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden-brown and risen. Leave to cool slightly on a wire rack and then serve while still warm.

Tips:

• Keep the pastry in the fridge until it’s needed. The warmer the pastry gets, the more difficult it is to work with. Plus, cold pastry tends to puff up a little better!
• These pasties are best made fresh, but you can either prep or fully make them ahead of time.
• You can freeze these pasties once they're made, then thaw them in the fridge and reheat them.

Drinks to pair with smoked cheese

Smoked cheese is any cheese that has been treated by smoke-curing, and it typically has a yellowish-brown outer pellicle as a result of this curing process. The most common types of smoked cheese are hard cheeses like Cheddar, Gruyère, and Gouda, but you can also find smoked soft cheeses like Brie, Halloumi, and blue cheese.

When it comes to drinks, there are several options that pair well with smoked cheese. Here are some suggestions:

Wine

A robust red wine with heavy tannins, such as a Rioja, can be a delicious pairing with smoked cheese. However, if you're enjoying a smoked goat's cheese, it's recommended to switch to a lighter red like a Merlot or Shiraz. Dry cider is another wine option that can complement smoked cheese.

When creating wine and cheese pairings, it's important to consider the strength of the flavours. A strong wine should not be paired with a weak cheese, as one flavour profile will overpower the other. Full-bodied wines are recommended for sharp or aged cheeses, while soft cheeses go well with Chardonnay, sparkling wine, or white wines with minimal oak flavour.

If you're looking for specific wine recommendations, here are a few:

• Cabernet or Bordeaux: Pair with stronger cheeses.
• Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc: Pair with lighter cheeses, especially Brie, Mozzarella, Baby Swiss, or mild Cheddar.
• Riesling or Sauternes: Sweet wines that pair well with Provolone or Fontina.
• Alsatian Gewürztraminer: A dry, delicate wine with flowery undertones that will complement the savoury notes of the cheese.

Beer

A Welsh porter, such as Hafod's Vanilla Porter, is recommended as a pairing for smoked cheese.

Spirits

A chilled bourbon cocktail is suggested as a pairing for the Rivers Edge Chèvre Up in Smoke, a smoked goat's cheese.

Types of smoked cheese

Smoked cheese is any cheese that has been cured with wood smoke. The flavour will vary depending on the type of cheese and the wood used to generate the smoke. However, most smoked cheeses will have flavour notes that are meaty, earthy and toasty.

There are three types of smoked cheese available commercially: cold-smoked, hot-smoked, and artificially-flavoured. Cold smoking is the best method for smoking cheese, as the low temperatures (below 32°C/90°F) allow the smokiness to gently penetrate the texture of the cheese without melting it. This method is best for semi-hard to hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère, Jarlsberg, and Gruyère. Hot smoking can be used for firmer cheeses, but the higher temperatures (80°C to 150°C/175°F to 300°F) can be quite harsh for cheese, so the temperature must be kept below the melting point.

Some examples of smoked cheeses include:

• Smoked Austrian Cheese
• Smoked Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese
• Smoked Gruyère Cheese
• Smoked Gouda (rookkaas)
• Smoked Polish Oscypek
• Smoked Cheddar
• Provolone
• Rauchkäse
• Scamorza
• Sulguni
• Oscypek
• Fynsk rygeost

Recipes with smoked cheese

Smoked cheese can be a great way to add an extra layer of flavour to your meals. A wide variety of cheeses can be smoked, from hard cheeses like cheddar to softer cheeses like brie. Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

Smoked Cheese Sandwich

A classic and simple way to enjoy smoked cheese is in a sandwich. Try pairing thin slices of smoked cheese with good quality ham and a sweet relish to offset the smokiness. You can also add some caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise to enhance the flavour.

Smoked Cheese and Onion Pasties

For a meat-free option, try making smoked cheese and onion pasties. This recipe combines smoked cheese, mustard, and spring onions for a flavourful and satisfying meal.

Grated Smoked Cheese

Grating smoked cheese over your tacos, pasta, or salad is a great way to add a smoky flavour. You can also try grating it over vegetables, like zucchini or broccoli, before baking them with a crunchy crust.

Smoked Cheese with Fruit

Smoked cheese pairs surprisingly well with certain fruits. Try tart apples or white grapes alongside smoked cheese for a unique flavour combination.

Smoked Cheese Platter

Add smoked cheese to your cheeseboard for a surprising and delicious element. Include a variety of textures, such as hard and semi-soft cheeses, for your guests to enjoy.

Beverage Pairings

When it comes to beverages, pair your smoked cheese with something sweeter to complement its nutty and slightly fruity flavour. Or, if you're a beer drinker, try pairing smoky cheeses with a smoky beer for an interesting flavour combination.

Frequently asked questions