Cheese And Candied Salmon: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Candied salmon is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of spreadable cheeses to create a unique and delicious flavour profile. A classic choice is cream cheese, which provides a cool, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the candied salmon. For a more subtle flavour, goat cheese offers a mild, fresh taste that complements the salmon without overpowering it. If you're looking for something soft and spreadable, brie and feta are excellent options. Brie has a mild, earthy flavour, while feta adds a pleasant saltiness. For a nuttier profile, consider Havarti or Gouda, which have a buttery and deep caramel taste, respectively. These cheeses provide a complex flavour that balances the sweetness of the candied salmon.

Cream cheese and salmon

Cream cheese is a classic choice to pair with salmon. Its cool, tangy flavour contrasts nicely with the oily, rich taste of salmon. For the best results, opt for a firm but spreadable cream cheese and add it to the salmon while it is still warm. This will help to evenly distribute the cheese and prevent it from clumping.

Cream cheese can be flavoured with herbs, citrus, or other mix-ins to create a simple smoked salmon appetiser. For example, a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Tabasco, capers, dill, and chives can be used as a dip for crackers or bagel chips, or as a spread for bagels.

Cream cheese can also be baked on top of salmon. To do this, simply preheat your oven to 200°C or 400°F, combine the cream cheese with garlic, dill, and lemon zest, and spread the mixture over the salmon before baking.

Cream cheese is a versatile cheese that can be used in many different dishes. It can be baked, grilled, or even deep-fried, and it pairs well with a variety of flavours, including fruits and vegetables. When choosing a dish to pair with cream cheese, consider the other flavours in the dish, the texture of the cheese, and the fat content.

Goat cheese and salmon

Goat cheese is a popular choice to pair with salmon, as its mild, earthy flavour and creamy texture complement the rich taste of the fish. It is also lower in fat and calories than many other types of cheese, making it a healthier option.

When preparing a dish with goat cheese and salmon, it is important to ensure the cheese has reached room temperature before serving, as this will allow it to reach its full flavour potential. Additionally, the salmon should be fresh, with a good cut, and seasoned well with salt and pepper.

Ingredients:

• 2 6-ounce pieces of salmon
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme, chopped well
• 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano, chopped well
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped well
• 4 ounces of goat cheese crumbles
• 4 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Red pepper flakes

Method:

• Mix the goat cheese crumbles with the chopped herbs and set aside.
• Cut the salmon fillet into 6-ounce portions and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a cast-iron or non-stick pan over a medium flame and add the olive oil.
• Place the salmon in the pan, skin side up, and cook for four minutes without peeking.
• Flip the salmon with a spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Drizzle with half the lemon juice about halfway through.
• Remove the pan from the burner and spoon the goat cheese mixture onto the salmon.
• Drizzle the rest of the lemon juice over the salmon and add another light drizzle of olive oil.
• Finish with additional pepper, sea salt, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, if desired.

This dish can be served with arugula or potatoes, and it is best enjoyed fresh, as the flavours of the goat cheese and herbs pair perfectly with the crispy seared salmon.

Brie and salmon

Brie is a soft, spreadable cheese that pairs deliciously with salmon. Young brie has a mild, earthy flavour that won't overpower the salmon. Brie is also an excellent choice for beginners as it is relatively easy to find and pairs well with many different foods.

For a full meal, try baked salmon with roasted red peppers and brie, served with caramelised onions and mushrooms, steamed peas, garlic spaghetti squash, and oven-roasted asparagus. Alternatively, try salmon in a brie-and-bacon sauce, with asparagus and crispy potatoes.

For an appetizer, smoked salmon and brie crostini are a delicious choice. These bites of deliciousness are a great choice for your next dinner party.

Feta and salmon

Feta is a Greek cheese with a salty and tangy flavour and a crumbly texture. It is traditionally made with sheep's milk, but it can also be made with goat's milk. Feta is often used in salads or as a topping for pizzas and other dishes.

When paired with salmon, feta's saltiness and tanginess complement the fish's fatty and rich flavour. The combination of feta and salmon creates a delicious appetiser or main course. Here are some tips and recipes to guide you in creating delectable feta and salmon dishes:

Tips

• Feta crumbles beautifully on top of smoked salmon, adding a pleasant saltiness.
• To make feta more spreadable, mash it with olive oil. The briny flavours pair well together.
• For a healthier option, choose a feta cheese made with sheep's milk, as it contains less fat than cheese made with goat's milk.
• When choosing a feta cheese for salmon, opt for a soft and creamy variety. Avoid hard or crumbly cheeses, as they won't melt well.

Recipes

Feta and Herb-Crusted Salmon

This recipe bakes salmon with a crust made from feta, fresh herbs, lemon, and spices. It's an easy dish that comes together quickly and bakes up with no mess.

Ingredients:

• 1 salmon fillet (Atlantic or any other variety)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• Juice from half a lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
• Combine parsley, chives, feta, lemon juice, salt, and pepper on a cutting board. Chop and mix the ingredients with a knife.
• Spread the feta mixture on the salmon fillet.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.

Baked Feta Salmon

Inspired by the viral TikTok Baked Feta Pasta, this recipe creates a delicious one-dish meal with salmon, vegetables, feta cheese, and seasonings.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets (such as MOWI Essential Fresh Atlantic Salmon)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Green pepper
• Red onion
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Kalamata olives
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Oregano
• Crushed red pepper
• Fresh basil for garnish

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat the salmon dry.
• In an oven-safe dish, combine cherry tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, feta cheese, kalamata olives, garlic, half the salt, and half the oregano. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine.
• Place the salmon in the middle of the baking dish, surrounded by the vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining oregano and crushed red pepper on top of the salmon.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and the salmon is cooked through.
• Garnish with fresh basil and serve with your choice of sides.

Baked Feta and Cherry Tomato Salmon

This recipe is a twist on the viral TikTok Baked Feta and Pasta dish, using salmon instead of pasta. The result is a delicious and healthy weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (150g each)
• 400g cherry tomatoes
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
• Handful of torn fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
• In a baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, onion, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine.
• Place a block of feta in the middle of the dish and top with olive oil, chilli flakes, and dried oregano.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the dish from the oven and stir in the garlic and basil. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
• Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the feta and tomatoes have browned.
• During the last 10 minutes of baking, season the salmon with salt and pepper and cook it by pan-frying or baking alongside the tomato and feta mixture.
• Plate the salmon and top with the baked feta and tomato mixture. Serve with your favourite side of vegetables.

Mozzarella and salmon

Mozzarella is a stretchy, creamy cheese that goes well with salmon whether it's melted on top of a hot dish or served cold. The fatty fish pairs perfectly with the creamy cheese, and the contrast in texture is heavenly.

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to fix a lovely salmon dinner, try the following recipe:

Ingredients:

• 600g salmon fillets
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 125g mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 225°C.
• Remove the skin and bones from the salmon.
• Season with salt and pepper on both sides and cut into four pieces.
• Thinly slice the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
• Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into strips.
• Heat butter in a non-stick coated frying pan and cook the salmon pieces for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Place the cooked salmon in an oven-proof dish.
• Layer the tomato slices, sun-dried tomato strips, and mozzarella slices over the salmon.
• Sprinkle some black pepper on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the mozzarella has melted.

This recipe is a great way to enjoy the combination of mozzarella and salmon, and it's sure to impress your guests!

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