Cheese And Salad: The Perfect Pairing

Salads are a great way to add more greens to your diet, and cheese is an essential ingredient that adds flavour, texture, and richness. Not all cheeses are suitable for salads, as some are too soft and buttery, such as Brie. The best cheeses for salads are those that can be crumbled, shredded, or cubed, adding substance and a contrasting texture to the greens. Popular salad cheeses include Feta, Halloumi, Akawi, and goat cheese. These cheeses offer a tangy, salty, or nutty flavour that pairs well with the dressing and other ingredients in a salad.

Feta: a Middle Eastern classic, often used in Greek salads

Feta is a Middle Eastern classic and is one of the most successful and best-known salad cheeses. It is a staple in Greek salads, with its salty, tangy flavour pairing perfectly with extra-virgin olive oil and other Greek salad ingredients.

Feta is made primarily from sheep's milk in the Middle East and eastern Europe, and these milks are tangier than cow's milk, giving feta its distinctive flavour. When adding feta to a Greek salad, it is best to buy a block of feta in brine and cut it into cubes, rather than buying pre-crumbled feta. This will ensure the feta has a better texture and flavour.

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. The dressing is typically made with olive oil, red wine vinegar or lemon juice, dried oregano, and ground black pepper. Some recipes also include Dijon mustard and garlic in the dressing.

In addition to the classic Greek salad, feta can be used in a variety of other salads. For example, it can be mashed and mixed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and herbs to make a creamy dressing. This dressing can then be poured over a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, bell peppers, radishes, spinach, arugula, or kale. Feta can also be added to pasta salads, such as orzo and tomato salad, or strawberry and feta salad.

Goat's cheese: a classic French bistro salad ingredient, often served warm

Goat's cheese is a classic ingredient in a French bistro salad, often served warm. This type of salad combines fresh, tender lettuce with warmed goat cheese rounds, creating a delicious contrast of flavours and textures.

The goat cheese is cut into disks, coated in breadcrumbs, and then heated to form a crunchy outer layer. This process creates what is known as goat cheese croutes, which are then placed on top of the lettuce. The warmth of the cheese provides an interesting contrast to the cool, crisp lettuce, and the creamy tang of the goat cheese is offset by a sharp mustard vinaigrette dressing.

To enhance the flavour of the dish, fresh herbs such as dill, basil, or chervil can be mixed in with the lettuce. The result is a salad that is both visually appealing and a delight to the taste buds.

There are two common methods for preparing the goat cheese croutes: oven-baked or pan-fried. The oven method is more hands-off, while the stove method requires careful attention as the cheese cooks in a frying pan. Both methods produce a similar result, with the oven-baked version being less labour-intensive.

A French bistro salad with warm goat cheese is an elegant and tasty dish that can be easily prepared at home, bringing a touch of classic French cuisine to your table.

Blue cheese: a popular choice for steakhouse wedge salad or Cobb salad

Blue cheese is a popular choice for a steakhouse wedge salad or a Cobb salad. It is often paired with bacon, which is why it is a staple in these two salads. Blue cheese is also a great topping for pizza, casseroles, and roasted potatoes.

Blue cheese is a natural choice for green salads. It can be crumbled over the salad, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour. When buying blue cheese, it is best to buy a good quality block and crumble it yourself. Pre-crumbled cheese is often dried out, lacking flavour, and more expensive. Domestic blue cheeses are a great choice, but for something more exotic, you could try Roquefort (sheep's milk) or Gorgonzola.

A popular salad featuring blue cheese is the French bistro salad with warm goat cheese croutons. This salad combines fresh, tender lettuce with warmed, breaded goat cheese rounds. The creamy tang of the goat cheese is contrasted by a mustard vinaigrette dressing. This salad can be made at home by either frying or baking the goat cheese rounds.

Parmesan: a must-have for Caesar salad

When it comes to salad, not just any cheese will do. While soft, creamy cheeses like Brie are too buttery, harder cheeses like Parmesan are ideal. Parmesan is a salty, nutty Italian cheese that can be grated or shaved over a salad. It adds a rich, rounded flavour to the dish, contrasting with the acidity of the dressing.

While Parmesan is delicious on many types of salads, it is particularly well-suited for Caesar salad. Caesar salad is a classic that was invented in Tijuana, Mexico, and is made with purely Italian-influenced ingredients. Adding shredded Parmesan cheese to a Caesar salad elevates it to a new level of flavour and texture.

The reason Parmesan works so well in Caesar salad is that it has a strong, distinct flavour that can stand up to the other bold ingredients in the salad. Caesar salad typically includes crunchy romaine lettuce, garlic, anchovies, and a creamy dressing made with raw egg yolks, olive oil, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. The salty, tangy flavour of Parmesan complements these ingredients perfectly.

In addition to its flavour, Parmesan also has a unique texture that adds interest to a Caesar salad. When grated or shredded, it is slightly fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth, yet it also has a satisfying bite that gives the salad a nice contrast in mouthfeel.

So, if you're looking to make the perfect Caesar salad, don't forget to include Parmesan cheese. It's the key ingredient that brings all the flavours together and gives the salad its signature taste.

Halloumi: can be grilled or pan-fried and added to a salad

Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese with a mild flavour that can be added to salads. It has a high melting point, so it holds its shape well when grilled or pan-fried, and its flavour is enhanced when heated. For this reason, halloumi is best served warm with salad, although it can also be eaten cold.

Halloumi is a versatile cheese that can be grilled, fried, or served raw. When cooking halloumi for a salad, it is best to grill or fry it, as this will enhance its flavour. To grill or fry halloumi, cut the cheese into slices or cubes, and place them on a hot grill or in a hot pan. Cook the cheese for a few minutes on each side until it is golden brown, then remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before adding it to your salad.

Halloumi has a high melting point, which means it can withstand heat without becoming too soft or melting. This makes it a great option for adding to salads, as it will retain its shape and texture even when tossed with other ingredients. Its mild flavour also makes it a versatile option that can be paired with a variety of different salad ingredients.

When adding halloumi to a salad, consider pairing it with ingredients that complement its mild flavour. Fresh greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, can provide a crisp base for the salad. Other vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or roasted peppers, can also be added for added texture and flavour. To enhance the flavour of the halloumi, consider adding a tangy dressing, such as a mustard vinaigrette or a balsamic vinaigrette.

Halloumi is a unique and delicious addition to any salad. Its mild flavour and versatile texture make it a great option for those looking to add a bit of protein and creaminess to their salad without overwhelming the other ingredients. So, if you're looking to switch up your salad game, why not give halloumi a try?

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