Randy Chandler
Hot pepper jelly is a popular condiment served with cheese, adding a sweet and spicy kick to a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The jelly is made with peppers and is cooked to a spreadable consistency before being served with cheese and crackers or used as a spread in grilled cheese sandwiches. The jelly is often paired with sharp cheddar cheese, adding a tangy flavour to the sweetness of the jelly. The combination of hot pepper jelly and cheese is a well-loved comfort food, especially during colder seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sweet and spicy pepper jelly |
| Texture | Easily spreadable but not too runny |
| Consistency | Thickens as it cooks and cools |
| Storage | Refrigerate for immediate consumption or freeze for longer storage |
| Serving Suggestions | Served with cheese and crackers, grilled cheese sandwiches, or as an appetizer with cream cheese and puff pastry |
| Flavor | Sweet and spicy |
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What You'll Learn
Sweet and spicy pepper jelly
The process of making pepper jelly begins with washing and chopping the peppers. It is important to wear gloves during this step to avoid any irritation from the peppers. The peppers are then ground in a food processor and combined with vinegar, sugar, and pectin in a stockpot. The mixture is boiled for a few minutes, and then removed from the heat to cool slightly. During this time, it will continue to thicken.
Once the jelly has cooled, it is poured into sterilized jars, leaving some space at the top for expansion if freezing. The jars are then sealed and labelled with the date and contents. For immediate consumption or within a week, the jelly can be refrigerated. For longer storage, it can be frozen.
This versatile jelly can be customised to one's taste preferences, making it a fun and creative culinary adventure. Whether enjoyed with cheese, used as a glaze, or incorporated into sandwiches, sweet and spicy pepper jelly offers a delightful combination of flavours that is sure to impress.
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Sharp cheddar cheese
Another popular pairing for sharp cheddar cheese is hot pepper jelly. The bold, spicy flavour of the jelly complements the sharpness of the cheese, resulting in a flavourful combination. This pairing is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, such as the hot pepper jelly grilled cheese, which features sourdough bread, butter, sharp cheddar, and hot pepper jelly. The addition of thinly sliced apples enhances the flavour profile, adding a touch of freshness to the sandwich.
When creating a cheese board, a sweet and spicy pepper jelly can be the perfect accompaniment to sharp cheddar. The jelly adds a burst of flavour to the cheese, providing a sweet and spicy contrast to the salty, tangy notes of the cheddar. This combination offers a well-balanced mix of sweet, savoury, creamy, and crunchy textures and flavours.
When serving sharp cheddar cheese with jelly, it is essential to consider the overall flavour profile and create a balanced combination. The goal is to have complementary flavours that enhance each other without overpowering the delicate taste of the cheese. Sharp cheddar, with its bold and tangy flavour, pairs exceptionally well with strongly flavoured jams and jellies, creating a delightful sensory experience.
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Crackers
When it comes to crackers, there are a few options to consider when serving them with jelly and cheese. Firstly, the type of cracker is important. A plain, neutral-flavoured cracker such as a water cracker or table water biscuit is a classic choice, as it provides a blank canvas for the other flavours to shine. However, you could also experiment with different flavours of crackers, such as seeded crackers, herb crackers, or even sweet crackers such as ginger snaps or graham crackers, to add another dimension to the flavour combination.
The texture of the cracker is also important. A thinner, crispier cracker will provide a satisfying crunch, while a thicker, softer cracker will give a more substantial bite. You could also consider toasting the crackers to add a further depth of flavour and texture – a golden, toasted cracker can add a nice contrast to the creamy cheese and the smooth jelly.
In terms of assembly, a simple approach is to place the cheese on the cracker first, and then top it with a dollop of jelly. This method allows the cheese to form a base for the jelly, preventing it from sliding off the cracker. It also ensures that the cheese is the first thing you taste when taking a bite, followed by the jelly, creating a nice contrast of textures and flavours.
However, you could also get creative with the assembly. For example, you could spread the jelly directly onto the cracker, and then top it with a slice of cheese, creating a more cohesive bite that allows all the flavours to meld together. Or, for a more intricate presentation, you could create small stacks by layering crackers, cheese, and jelly, finishing with a small dollop of jelly on top.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese and jelly. As mentioned earlier, sharper cheeses such as cheddar go well with the strong flavour of hot pepper jelly. But you could also try milder cheeses such as cream cheese, brie, or even blue cheese, which has a strong savoury flavour that might be complemented by a sweet jelly. Getting creative and experimenting with different combinations of crackers, cheeses, and jellies can lead to some delicious discoveries!
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Cream cheese bites
While meat jelly, also known as aspic, headcheese or souse, is a savoury gelatin dish, it is not the jelly that is often served with cheese. The jelly that is commonly served with cheese is pepper jelly, which is sweet and spicy. It is often paired with cheese and crackers and can be served over cream cheese as a quick and tasty appetiser.
One such appetiser is cream cheese bites, which can be made with just three ingredients and a few simple steps. To make these bites, you will need to preheat your oven to 375°. Grease two 24-cup mini muffin pans with cooking spray. On a clean surface, spread out the puff pastry and cut it into 24 pieces. Place each piece in the prepared cups and bake until lightly golden and puffed, which should take about 12 minutes.
Once the pastry has cooled slightly, cut the cream cheese into 24 pieces and press a piece into the centre of each puff pastry, separating the pastry in the centre as needed. Top each piece of cream cheese with a heaping teaspoon of pepper jelly. Put the bites back into the oven and bake until the puff pastry is golden brown and the cream cheese is warmed through, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes.
These cream cheese bites are the perfect easy appetiser for when you want something that feels a little more special without being difficult or time-consuming to make.
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Hot pepper jelly grilled cheese
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread
- Butter
- Hot pepper jelly
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Thinly sliced apples
Optional Ingredients
You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as fontina, or add prosciutto or ham for a savoury twist.
Method
- Melt butter in a skillet and place the sourdough slices in the butter to achieve a golden crunch.
- Spread hot pepper jelly on the insides of the bread slices.
- Add sharp cheddar cheese slices to both sides of the sandwich.
- Place thinly sliced apples on one side of the sandwich.
- Cook the sandwich until it reaches golden perfection.
Tips
- For a stronger flavour, sharp cheddar cheese is recommended to stand up to the bold taste of the hot pepper jelly.
- Sourdough bread is suggested for its sturdy, tangy flavour and texture, but you can use other types of bread such as white, wheat, or oat.
- This sandwich is perfect for soup season, pairing well with a cozy bowl of soup on a chilly day.
Storage
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For reheating, simply melt butter in a skillet and cook until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is golden.
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Frequently asked questions
Jelly served with cheese is usually pepper jelly, a sweet and spicy jelly that adds a burst of flavour.
Pepper jelly has a sweet and spicy taste with a slight kick.
Sharp cheddar is a good choice as it stands up to the strong flavour of the pepper jelly. However, you could experiment with other cheeses.
Pepper jelly and cheese can be served with crackers, thinly-sliced apples, and sourdough bread.
You can make pepper jelly and cream cheese bites, or a grilled cheese sandwich with pepper jelly, cheddar, and apple slices on sourdough.
