Gouda's Jammy Side: Best Fruit Spreads For The Cheese

Gouda is a creamy, yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands. Its flavour profile ranges from mild and buttery to nutty and complex, depending on its age. The younger varieties are milder and creamier, while the aged ones develop a sharper, nuttier taste. When it comes to jam pairings, the sharper and more mature Goudas work well with sweeter jams like fig, apricot, and plum. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even pair aged Gouda with dark chocolate. On the other hand, milder Goudas go well with more complex and tangy jams such as tomato, pepper, and citrus.

Fig jam

When making a grilled cheese sandwich with fig jam and gouda, it is recommended to use smoked gouda for a more complex flavour profile. The addition of ingredients such as balsamic vinegar-soaked Cipollini onions can also enhance the sandwich by providing a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the fig jam.

For a simple yet elegant meal, serve the fig jam and gouda grilled cheese sandwich with a crisp salad or a bowl of soup. This combination of flavours and textures is sure to impress and delight your taste buds.

The versatility of gouda cheese allows it to pair well with a variety of flavours, and fig jam is an excellent choice to complement its creamy texture and nutty flavour. The combination creates a delightful symphony of tastes that is perfect for a cosy meal or an impressive dish for guests.

Apricot jam

Aged gouda is a hard, nutty cheese that pairs perfectly with sweet and tangy apricot jam. The caramel and butterscotch notes in the cheese complement the fruity apricot jam, creating a delicious balance of flavours. The sweetness of the jam also enhances the nuttiness of the cheese.

For a more indulgent option, you can bake the gouda with apricot jam on top as an appetizer. Alternatively, you can create a savoury twist by adding slices of prosciutto or salami to the cheese board.

Gouda and apricot jam also work well in crescent rolls. Simply place a few pieces of gouda and a generous amount of apricot jam at one end of a crescent roll, fold it over, and bake it in the oven. This combination makes for a delicious breakfast treat and a nice break from the ordinary.

Cranberry jam

To make cranberry jam, combine jalapenos, sugar, and salt in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add in lime juice, pectin, water, and vinegar, and stir to mix well. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Then, add in the cranberries, stirring occasionally, and simmer until the cranberries have burst and the juices have thickened, about 15-20 minutes. Transfer the jam to sterilised jars and seal. You can either allow it to cool at room temperature and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or you can process it in a hot water bath and store it for up to a year.

Citrus marmalade

If you're feeling creative in the kitchen, you can even make your own citrus marmalade at home. It's a simple process that just requires some citrus fruits (such as oranges, lemons, or grapefruits), sugar, and a few hours of your time. The result is a delicious, sticky-sweet marmalade that pairs perfectly with gouda.

For a fun and unique recipe, try making a gouda and marmalade grilled cheese sandwich. Start by spreading some citrus marmalade on a slice of sourdough bread. Then, add some gouda cheese, chopped walnuts, a handful of mixed greens, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Top it off with another slice of bread, butter both sides, and grill to perfection. The combination of melted gouda and citrus marmalade is truly mouth-watering!

If you're looking for something a little more substantial, consider making a gouda and marmalade babka. This delicious baked treat combines the sweetness of marmalade with the savoury goodness of gouda, all wrapped up in a soft bread dough. It's the perfect choice for a hearty breakfast or afternoon snack, and your kitchen will be filled with the most delightful aroma as it bakes.

So, if you're looking to elevate your gouda cheese experience, consider pairing it with citrus marmalade. Whether you enjoy it in a sandwich, on a babka, or simply on a cracker, the combination of sharp citrus and creamy gouda is sure to delight your palate.

Plum jam

Gouda is a Dutch cheese, known for its creamy texture and range of flavours. It is a cow's milk cheese, named after the town of Gouda, and its flavour profile varies depending on its age. Younger goudas tend to be milder and creamier, while aged gouda develops a sharper, nuttier flavour. The longer gouda sits, the deeper its golden colour becomes, and the flavour profile transforms. Aged gouda has notes of caramel and a more pronounced savoury character.

When pairing jam and cheese, it's important to match the intensity of the cheese to the intensity of the jam. A bolder, aged gouda will stand up to the sweetness of plum jam, while a milder, younger gouda might be better suited to a less sweet jam.

When creating a cheeseboard, it's a good idea to include a range of textures and flavours. For a gouda and plum jam pairing, consider adding some crunch with crackers, breadsticks, or sliced baguette. You could also add some salty cured meats, such as prosciutto or salami, or some nuts for texture, like almonds, walnuts, or pecans.

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