Best Cheeses To Pair With Mortadella

Mortadella is a type of Italian luncheon meat made from pork and often flavoured with black pepper. It is usually served as a cold cut, but it can also be fried. This meat is incredibly versatile and can be used in sandwiches, charcuterie boards, pasta, meatballs, or as a pizza topping.

When it comes to cheese, mortadella is most commonly paired with fresh mozzarella or provolone. However, other cheeses such as cheddar, asiago, and gorgonzola are also used. In one instance, mortadella is paired with goat cheese, creating a pairing of contrasting flavours.

Mozzarella and pesto

Ingredients

• Fresh mozzarella
• Basil pesto
• Bread (ciabatta, ciabatta rolls, Kaiser rolls, focaccia, sourdough, baguette, or bastone)
• Olive oil
• Salt

Optional Ingredients

• Anchovies
• Artichokes
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Arugula
• Banana peppers
• Roasted red peppers
• Red onion
• Pistachios

Instructions

First, prepare the pesto if making it from scratch. For a sandwich spread, it is recommended to use less oil than usual to achieve a thicker consistency.

Next, toast the bread. Drizzle olive oil onto the bread and toast until crispy.

If using sun-dried tomatoes, mix them with mayonnaise and spread onto one half of the bread.

Fold each slice of mortadella in half and stack it onto the other half of the bread.

Add a layer of fresh mozzarella.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Spread pesto onto the other half of the bread and place it on top of the sandwich.

If desired, press the sandwich in a panini press or weighted countertop grill until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. Alternatively, cook the sandwich in a pan, flipping halfway through.

Slice the sandwich in half and serve immediately.

Cheddar cheese

A popular choice for a mortadella sandwich is to use cheddar cheese. The sharpness of cheddar provides a nice contrast to the mild flavour of mortadella. When making a mortadella and cheddar sandwich, it is recommended to use good quality, crusty bread, toasted to perfection. Folding each slice of mortadella gives the sandwich a nice look and texture. You can also add toppings such as arugula, tomato, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and thinly sliced red onions for a flavourful and colourful sandwich.

Melty Cheddar and Mortadella

Smoked Cheddar and Mortadella Platter

For a unique flavour profile, consider pairing mortadella with smoked cheddar cheese. The smoky flavour of the cheese complements the delicate taste of mortadella. This combination works well on a cheese board or charcuterie platter, served with crackers or bread. Add some grapes, olives, and pickled vegetables for a well-rounded and elegant appetiser.

Cheddar and Mortadella in Recipes

In addition to sandwiches, mortadella and cheddar cheese can be incorporated into various recipes. For example, you could create a breakfast scramble with diced mortadella, shredded cheddar, and eggs. Another idea is to make a mortadella and cheddar melt, served on top of crusty bread or croutons. The versatility of these two ingredients allows for creativity in the kitchen.

Remember, when pairing mortadella with cheddar cheese, it's essential to consider the type of cheddar. Sharp cheddar will provide a stronger flavour, while mild cheddar will give a softer, creamier taste. Experiment with different varieties to find your preferred combination.

Provolone

When making a mortadella sandwich with provolone, it is best to keep the other ingredients simple. Italians often only add mortadella to their sandwiches, to savour its flavour. However, you could add some fresh toppings such as basil, arugula, or tomato, which will add a fresh, bright burst of flavour without overwhelming the mortadella and provolone.

Goat's cheese

Goats cheese is a creamy, tangy cheese that can be a great pairing with mortadella. Its creamy texture and flavour contrast well with the savoury, rich mortadella.

A popular way to serve mortadella and goats cheese is in a sandwich. This could be a simple combination of the two with some bread, or a more complex sandwich with additional toppings and condiments. For example, a popular choice is to add some greens, such as arugula, and a spread, like pesto or mustard.

If you want to get creative, you could try making mortadella and goats cheese "roses". To do this, mix chopped rocket salad into the goats cheese and spread it onto slices of mortadella. Then, simply fold and roll up the mortadella and cheese into a rose shape.

Goats cheese is a versatile cheese that can be paired with mortadella in many different ways. Whether you're looking for a simple sandwich or something more creative, the tangy flavour of goats cheese can be a great complement to mortadella.

Grilled cheese

A grilled cheese sandwich with mortadella is a delicious and indulgent meal, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. This sandwich is inspired by Anthony Bourdain's famous mortadella sandwich, which features crispy fried mortadella, melted cheese, and a toasted bun. Here is a step-by-step guide to making this mouth-watering grilled cheese sandwich:

Ingredients:

• Mortadella (Italian luncheon meat, similar to bologna)
• Cheese (provolone, white American cheese, or fresh mozzarella)
• Bread (kaiser roll, ciabatta roll, sourdough, or focaccia)
• Condiments (mayonnaise, dijon mustard, pesto, or sun-dried tomato spread)
• Optional toppings (arugula, tomato, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, red onion, anchovies, or marinated artichoke hearts)

Instructions:

• Heat up a cast-iron skillet or a flat-top grill on high heat.
• Prepare the mortadella by dividing it into 3 piles, folding and clumping the slices to create air pockets between them.
• Add some oil to the pan and place the stacks of mortadella onto the hot surface. Let it cook until the meat develops a golden, crispy crust.
• Flip the mortadella over and add a slice of cheese on top of each pile.
• Toast the bread directly in the pan, moving it around to soak up the oily goodness left by the mortadella.
• Build the sandwich by spreading mayonnaise and/or mustard on the bread. You can also add pesto or sun-dried tomato spread for extra flavour.
• Place the mortadella and cheese stacks on the bread, adding any desired toppings such as arugula, tomato, or roasted peppers.
• Close the sandwich and slice it in half. Serve immediately while the cheese is still melted.

This grilled cheese sandwich with mortadella is a simple yet heavenly combination of crispy meat and melted cheese. It can be customised with various types of bread, cheese, and toppings to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy it with an ice-cold beer or a cup of soup on the side!

Frequently asked questions