Ciabatta Bread: Best Cheeses To Pair With It

Ciabatta bread is a popular choice for garlic bread due to its porous, rustic texture that soaks up garlic butter. When making garlic bread, you can use any type of cheese, but some popular options include mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, and provolone. For a more intense flavour, you can also add garlic to the cheese mixture. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try making your own garlic ciabatta bread from scratch!

Mozzarella and Parmesan

Ciabatta bread is a versatile Italian bread that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including Mozzarella and Parmesan. Here are some ideas on how to use these cheeses with ciabatta bread:

Mozzarella on Ciabatta Bread

Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy, and mild-flavoured cheese that melts beautifully, making it an excellent choice for ciabatta bread. Here are some ways to use mozzarella with ciabatta:

• Ciabatta Pizza: Ciabatta bread makes a great base for pizza. Top it with tomato sauce, your favourite toppings, and generous amounts of shredded mozzarella. Bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Ciabatta Garlic Bread: Combine softened butter, minced garlic, and black pepper. Spread this mixture on sliced ciabatta, and top it with shredded mozzarella. Broil it in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• Ciabatta Sandwiches: Ciabatta bread is perfect for sandwiches. Try a classic combination of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. You can also experiment with different ingredients like pesto, prosciutto, or arugula.

Parmesan on Ciabatta Bread

Parmesan is a hard, nutty, and flavourful cheese that adds a distinctive taste to dishes. Here are some ways to use Parmesan with ciabatta bread:

• Ciabatta Croutons: Cut ciabatta bread into cubes and toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan. Bake them in the oven until crispy and golden. These croutons are perfect for salads or soup toppings.
• Ciabatta Crisps: Slice ciabatta bread thinly, brush the slices with olive oil, and sprinkle them with grated Parmesan. Bake them in the oven until crispy, and you'll have delicious, cheesy crisps.
• Ciabatta Toasts: Toast slices of ciabatta, rub them with a cut garlic clove, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh herbs like basil or oregano. These toasts make a great appetiser or snack.

Fresh Mozzarella

A classic bruschetta can be made by topping ciabatta bread with sliced fresh mozzarella, diced tomatoes, chopped basil, and garlic in an olive oil sauce. This topping can be varied by including ingredients such as dried tomatoes, chopped olives, capers, pine nuts, or raisins. The bruschetta can be served as an appetiser or a light main course.

Ciabatta bread is also an ideal choice for paninis as it can stand up to lots of fillings without becoming soggy. A simple yet delicious panini can be made by filling ciabatta bread with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. For a more adventurous option, try a sandwich made with sliced turkey, fresh mozzarella, and roasted onions and red peppers, with a spread of chipotle-laced mayonnaise, pesto, or garlic-infused olive oil.

The Italian bread salad, panzanella salad, is another dish that pairs ciabatta bread and fresh mozzarella perfectly. This salad typically includes chunks of crusty ciabatta bread toasted in olive oil and garlic, along with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers, and olives. Grilled eggplant or summer squash can also be added, along with grilled chicken for a heartier meal.

When craving pizza, ciabatta bread can be used as a base. Simply slice a loaf of ciabatta horizontally, spread pizza sauce, add your favourite toppings, and top with fresh mozzarella. Bake in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Asiago or Parmesan

Asiago and Parmesan are both hard cheeses with a nutty, savoury flavour, making them an excellent choice for adding a kick to your ciabatta.

If you're looking for a recipe that incorporates Asiago into the dough, try this one from King Arthur Baking. It uses a mix of all-purpose and pumpernickel, rye, or whole wheat flour, instant yeast, water, pizza dough flavour (optional), salt, and of course, Asiago cheese. The dough is mixed in an electric mixer and then shaped into two long loaves before being baked in the oven.

If you're looking for a simpler recipe that doesn't require a mixer, try this one from Tastes of Lizzy T. It uses bread flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, black pepper, milk, butter, and Asiago cheese. The dough is mixed by hand and then shaped into two loaves before being baked in the oven.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a recipe that incorporates Parmesan into the dough, try this ciabatta sandwich recipe from Something About Sandwiches. It uses sun-dried tomato pesto, prosciutto, turkey, salami, mozzarella, lettuce, and chillies, all served on a ciabatta loaf. The pesto is made with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, and garlic.

Finally, if you're looking for a recipe that uses Parmesan as a topping, try this Asiago bread recipe from Life As A Strawberry. It uses active dry yeast, sugar, warm water, kosher salt, black pepper, Asiago cheese, and all-purpose flour. The dough is mixed by hand and then shaped into a round loaf before being baked in a Dutch oven. The Parmesan is sprinkled on top of the loaf before baking.

Cheddar

Ciabatta bread is a versatile loaf that can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Cheddar is a popular choice for its strong flavour and ability to complement the bread's texture. When using cheddar with ciabatta, there are a few things to consider:

Type of Cheddar

The type of cheddar cheese you select can greatly impact the overall taste and texture of your ciabatta dish. Mature cheddars, for instance, offer a sharper flavour that can stand up to the bread's chewy texture. Younger cheddars, on the other hand, tend to be milder and creamier, creating a softer and more subtle flavour profile.

Texture

Ciabatta bread is known for its airy, chewy crumb and floury crust. When pairing it with cheddar, consider the texture you wish to achieve. For a smoother, creamier mouthfeel, opt for a softer, more malleable cheddar. If you prefer a more robust texture, go for a firmer, aged cheddar that will provide a stronger flavour and a chewier bite.

Preparation

The way you prepare your ciabatta and cheddar combination can also enhance your culinary experience. Here are some suggestions:

• Toasting: Toasting your ciabatta can add a delightful crispness to the bread, creating a nice contrast with the creamy or sharp flavours of the cheddar.
• Melting: Melting cheddar on top of ciabatta, such as in a grilled cheese sandwich or a cheesy garlic bread, can result in a delightful combination of textures and flavours.
• Shredding: Shredding cheddar and sprinkling it over ciabatta, perhaps with other complementary ingredients like herbs or spices, can create a delightful topping for an open-faced sandwich or a savoury ciabatta toast.

Complementary Ingredients

When pairing ciabatta with cheddar, consider adding other ingredients to enhance the flavours and textures. Here are some ideas:

• Tomato: Sun-dried tomatoes or fresh tomatoes can add a burst of sweetness and a juicy texture to your ciabatta and cheddar creation.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can provide a bright, aromatic touch to your dish.
• Meats: Deli meats like prosciutto, turkey, or salami go well with ciabatta and cheddar, offering a savoury contrast to the bread's airy texture and the cheese's sharpness.
• Spices: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of black pepper can enhance the flavour profile of your ciabatta and cheddar creation.

Recipe Ideas

• Ciabatta Grilled Cheese: Prepare a classic grilled cheese sandwich by melting sharp cheddar between two slices of ciabatta. For an extra kick, add some sliced tomatoes and fresh basil.
• Cheddar Ciabatta Melt: Create an open-faced ciabatta melt by topping a slice of ciabatta with shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, and fresh basil. Pop it under the grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Ciabatta, Cheddar, and Prosciutto Roll-ups: Spread a thin layer of softened butter on a slice of ciabatta, then top with sliced cheddar and prosciutto. Roll up the ciabatta and secure it with a toothpick. These roll-ups make great appetisers or snacks.
• Ciabatta, Cheddar, and Tomato Panini: Layer sliced cheddar, fresh tomatoes, and basil leaves between two slices of ciabatta, then press in a panini press or grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
• Cheddar Ciabatta Bites: Cut a ciabatta loaf into small cubes. Spread softened butter on each cube, then top with shredded cheddar and a sprinkle of chopped herbs (basil, parsley, or thyme). Pop them under the grill until the cheese is melted. These bites make great appetisers or snacks.

Grated vs pre-grated

Ciabatta is a versatile bread that can be paired with a variety of cheeses. While the type of cheese you use doesn't matter, something firm to hard is usually best. For example, a recipe for a cheesy ciabatta recommends using Cabot Cheddar, while another recipe for a ciabatta sandwich uses mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan.

Now, when it comes to grated vs pre-grated cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, pre-grated cheese often contains additives like cellulose (wood pulp), anti-caking agents like potato starch, and preservatives like natamycin. These additives can affect the texture and melting ability of the cheese. Pre-grated cheese may not melt as smoothly and can clump together, which could be problematic for recipes like cheese fondue. Additionally, pre-grated cheese is often more expensive than buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself.

On the other hand, grating your own cheese can be time-consuming and tiring, especially for large quantities. Using pre-grated cheese can be a convenient shortcut, especially when you're short on time. It's important to note that the impact of pre-grated cheese on your recipe may depend on the specific dish you're making. For example, if you're making a quesadilla or pizza, using pre-grated cheese may not make a significant difference. However, for dishes that are heavily dependent on cheese, like mac and cheese or queso dip, freshly grated cheese is recommended for better quality and melting ability.

In conclusion, while you can use either grated or pre-grated cheese for your ciabatta, freshly grated cheese will generally provide better quality and texture. However, if convenience is a priority, pre-grated cheese can be a suitable option, especially for dishes where the impact on texture and melting is minimal.

Frequently asked questions