Cheese And Watermelon: A Tasty Pairing Guide

Watermelon and cheese is a classic combination of sweet and salty flavours. While the pairing may seem surprising, the salty, crumbly Greek feta works perfectly with the sweet, juicy melon to create a refreshing, mouthwatering summer snack. There are many other types of cheese that pair well with watermelon, including goat's cheese, blue cheese, halloumi, and manchego.

Feta is the most popular cheese to pair with watermelon

Feta and watermelon is a popular pairing that has been featured in many recipes, such as the Watermelon Feta Skewers and the Greek Watermelon Feta Salad. The salty, briny feta enhances the sweetness of the watermelon, making it a perfect summer snack. The two ingredients also complement each other texturally, with the soft, juicy melon contrasting the crumbly, pungent feta.

Feta is a Greek cheese that is traditionally made from sheep's milk and aged in salty brine in wooden barrels. This process gives the cheese its distinctive salty flavour and crumbly texture, which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the watermelon.

While feta is the most popular pairing, other cheeses can also be paired with watermelon. Manchego, a sheep's milk cheese from Spain, is aromatic and strongly flavoured, providing a delicious contrast to the soft and sweet melon. Mozzarella, halloumi, and pecorino Romano are also mentioned as potential pairings, offering a range of flavours and textures to complement the watermelon.

Other cheeses that go well with watermelon include Manchego, Mozzarella, and Halloumi

While feta is the most popular cheese to pair with watermelon, there are several other varieties that work well with the fruit. These include Manchego, Mozzarella, and Halloumi.

Manchego, a hard, sheep's milk cheese from Spain, is an aromatic and strongly flavoured variety that serves as a delicious contrast to the soft and sweet melon. Its slightly salty and nutty flavour and grassy aroma make it a great pairing with juicy and crisp fruit like watermelon. For instance, you can stack thin slices of Manchego alternately with watermelon for a visually stunning salad. Alternatively, you can shave curls of Manchego over an arugula salad featuring small chunks of watermelon, tomato wedges, and cucumber slices for a flavourful dish. Cubes of Manchego and watermelon can also be skewered together with toothpicks alongside slices of serrano ham to make a light pass-around bite during large gatherings.

Small, soft balls of mozzarella and cubes of watermelon make for a wonderful appetizer when drizzled with balsamic vinegar and shredded basil. This combination merges the fruit's sweetness with the acidity of the vinegar, the creaminess of the cheese, and the herbaceous quality of basil.

Sticking with Greek cheese options, hunks of grilled Halloumi can make an attractive pairing with watermelon. For instance, a grilled Halloumi and watermelon salad can be made with grapeseed oil, pumpkin seeds, seedless watermelon, cayenne, and fresh mint.

A squeeze of lemon juice and some mint leaves add the perfect balance to watermelon and feta

Watermelon and feta is a classic pairing, with the sweet watermelon and salty feta creating a mouthwatering combination. Adding lemon juice and mint leaves to this duo creates the perfect balance of flavours and textures.

Lemon juice and mint leaves add a refreshing zing to the watermelon and feta combination. The sharpness of the lemon juice and the coolness of the mint complement the sweetness of the watermelon and the saltiness of the feta. The lemon juice also helps to enhance the floral notes in the watermelon and the tanginess of the feta, making the flavours of each ingredient stand out.

The addition of mint and lemon creates a bright, hydrating combination that is perfect for a summer salad. The mint and lemon also add a refreshing contrast to the creamy texture of the feta and the crispness of the watermelon. This combination is also a great way to add some protein, calcium and creaminess to a dish while still keeping it light and refreshing.

When making a watermelon, feta and mint salad, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. The watermelon should be dense, richly coloured, and sweet. For the feta, a sheep's milk feta is recommended as it has a creamier texture and a more balanced flavour than cow's milk feta.

To assemble the salad, the watermelon is typically cut into bite-sized cubes and tossed with the lemon juice, mint leaves, and olive oil. The feta is then crumbled over the top, adding a salty contrast to the sweet watermelon. This combination of flavours and textures creates a refreshing and delicious dish that is perfect for summer.

Watermelon and cheese is a great summer snack

Watermelon and cheese is a fantastic snack option for the summer. The juicy sweetness of watermelon is complemented by the salty, savoury notes of cheese, creating a refreshing and mouthwatering flavour combination. This pairing is not only delicious but also provides a hydrating boost during the warmer months.

Classic Combinations

One of the most popular and classic cheese pairings for watermelon is feta cheese. The salty, crumbly texture of Greek feta contrasts beautifully with the juicy sweetness of the watermelon, creating a flavour sensation that your taste buds will crave all summer long. This combination can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as a salad with olive oil, lemon juice, mint leaves, and flaky salt, or simply by layering wedges of watermelon with slices of feta.

Another classic pairing is watermelon and Manchego cheese. Manchego, a sheep's milk cheese from Spain, offers a slightly salty and nutty flavour with a grassy aroma, making it an excellent complement to the sweetness of the watermelon. This combination can be enjoyed in a salad or as a simple hors d'oeuvre, with cubes of cheese and watermelon skewered together.

Exploring Other Options

While feta and Manchego are classic choices, there are several other cheeses that pair well with watermelon. Small, soft balls of mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vinegar and shredded basil create a wonderful appetizer, merging the sweetness of the watermelon with the acidity of the vinegar and the creaminess of the cheese.

For those who enjoy grilled cheese, hunks of Greek Halloumi can make an attractive pairing with watermelon. The salty, grilled Halloumi provides a delightful contrast to the sweet and juicy watermelon, making it a satisfying summer treat.

Additionally, blue cheese crumbles paired with a super-sweet, yellow-fleshed melon like the Hopi Yellow melon create an intriguing combination. The peppery nature of a good blue cheese complements the candy-like flavour of the melon, resulting in a unique and indulgent snack.

Endless Possibilities

The versatility of watermelon and cheese combinations knows no bounds. From salads to skewers, and appetizers to snacks, the options are endless. Whether you prefer the classic pairings of feta and Manchego or want to explore the possibilities with mozzarella, Halloumi, or blue cheese, watermelon and cheese is undoubtedly a match made in heaven for the summer season.

You can eat watermelon and cheese in a salad or on skewers

For a salad, try tossing watermelon chunks with feta, olive oil, lemon juice, mint leaves, and flaky salt. This classic combination is a welcome dish at dinner tables, especially when the fruit is in season. Alternatively, stack thin slices of Manchego with watermelon for a visually stunning salad. Or, shave Manchego over an arugula salad with watermelon, tomato, and cucumber. Small balls of mozzarella and watermelon drizzled with balsamic vinegar and shredded basil also make a wonderful appetizer.

If you're looking for a fun and easy party snack, try threading cubes of watermelon and Manchego onto skewers, alternating with slices of serrano ham. This light bite is a brilliant start to a Spanish-themed dinner party when served with glasses of cold sangria.

Watermelon and cheese skewers are a great way to enjoy this flavour combination, and there are endless variations to try. For a simple yet delicious option, try alternating watermelon cubes with feta cubes on a skewer. For something more substantial, add some chicken and mint leaves to the skewer, along with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil.

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