Frederic Melton
Blue cheese is a sharp, salty and intense ingredient that can add a punch of flavour to a variety of dishes. It is often used in salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizzas, as well as in recipes such as steak pie, chicken salad and French onion soup. When it comes to meat, blue cheese can be paired with cured meats such as spicy Calabrian salami or aged prosciutto. It also goes well with salty bacon. For vegetarians, blue cheese can be used to add flavour to vegetable dishes, or it can be enjoyed on its own with fruits and nuts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat pairings | Salty bacon, cured meats (e.g. spicy Calabrian salami, aged prosciutto), summer sausage, steak |
| Other food pairings | Toasted nuts, pears, figs, crackers, walnuts, spinach, leeks, kale, chard, spring greens, focaccia, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizza, crostini, polenta, parmigiano-reggiano, gorgonzola, ricotta, chicken |
| Drink pairings | Red wine, sparkling wine, semi-dry Rieslings, sweet wines (e.g. Sauternes, Gewürztraminers), port, champagne, dark stout, strong ale |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese with steak pie
Blue cheese is a sharp, salty, and intense cheese that tends to pair well with red or sparkling wine. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in recipes such as salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas. When incorporated into a steak pie, blue cheese adds an extra layer of flavour to the dish.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Mustard powder
- Salt
- Lard
- Butter
- Egg
- Water
- Steak
- Oil
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Bay leaves
- Potatoes
- Blue cheese
Instructions:
- Make the pastry by combining flour, mustard powder, salt, lard, and butter in a food processor. Pulse until combined, then add an egg and pulse again. Add water as needed to form a short pastry. Wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Season the steak with salt and pepper, and toss with flour. Heat oil in a pan and brown the meat in batches. Remove the meat from the pan.
- Chop onions, carrots, and celery, and add them to the pan with bay leaves. Cook until softened.
- Peel and chop the potatoes. Add them to the pan with the meat and vegetables.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a pie dish. Crumble the blue cheese over the top and add a marrowbone or pie funnel in the centre.
- Roll out the pastry on a floured surface until it is large enough to cover the pie. Brush the edges of the pie dish with beaten egg, drape the pastry over, trim the excess, and seal by pinching the edges.
- Cut a hole in the centre of the pastry for the marrowbone or pie funnel to poke through. Brush the top of the pastry with beaten egg for a glossy finish.
- Chill the pie for about 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
- Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until the pastry is deep golden.
- Let the pie stand for about 30 minutes before serving.
This hearty steak and blue cheese pie is perfect for a winter meal or as an indulgent dish during the Christmas season. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, extra gravy, and steamed seasonal greens for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Blue cheese with chicken
Blue cheese is a strong and pungent ingredient that can add a lot of flavour to chicken dishes. It can be used in a variety of ways, from a topping to a sauce or even a stuffing.
One simple way to combine blue cheese with chicken is to make a sauce. You can make a reduction sauce by boiling wine or chicken stock in a pan to loosen the bits stuck to the bottom, then stirring in cornstarch to thicken it. You can then spoon this sauce over chicken breasts, perhaps adding some extra blue cheese crumbles on top. This sauce can also be used for a blue cheese-stuffed chicken breast, where the chicken is stuffed with a mixture of blue cheese, onion, and mushroom, then coated in breadcrumbs and baked in the oven.
Another option is to make a blue cheese sauce by combining blue cheese with a creamy base such as mayonnaise, heavy cream, or sour cream. You can season this sauce with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice, and serve it with chicken pieces that have been seasoned and fried in olive oil.
If you're looking for a simpler option, you can try topping your chicken with blue cheese crumbles and serving it with a salad and some steamed asparagus. You could also try a chicken salad dressed with a mix of yoghurt and blue cheese, or even a cold pasta salad with blue cheese.
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Blue cheese with burgers
Blue cheese is a sharp, salty and intense cheese with a bold flavour. It is often used to add a punch of flavour to dishes like salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizzas.
Blue cheese is a natural match for beefy burgers. The tang and creaminess of the cheese complement the beef patty well. The blue cheese can be mixed into the patty or used as a topping. The latter is preferred by some as it allows for the addition of more blue cheese, enhancing the flavour.
To make blue cheese burgers, mix ground beef with ingredients like mustard, garlic, onion, rosemary, cinnamon, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and of course, blue cheese. Form the mixture into patties and grill them for about 5 minutes on each side. The patties can be brushed with oil and cooked on a griddle or frying pan as well. The blue cheese can also be mixed with mayonnaise and spread on the bun. The burger can be served with toppings like arugula, fresh mushrooms, red onion, and bell peppers.
The strong flavour of blue cheese means that a little goes a long way. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add a unique twist to burgers.
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Blue cheese with bacon
Blue cheese is known for its sharp, salty, and intense flavour. It is often used in recipes to add a punch of flavour. Blue cheese is commonly paired with bacon, and the two ingredients together make for a delicious combination. Here are some ways to use blue cheese and bacon together:
Warm Blue Cheese Dip with Garlic and Bacon
This is a great recipe for those who are not big fans of blue cheese. The dip can be served with vegetables or French bread. To make the dip, cook the bacon in a skillet until evenly browned. Transfer to a plate and drain, leaving the grease in the pan. Crumble the bacon and cook garlic in the leftover grease. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat cream cheese and half-and-half in a bowl and blend. Stir in the bacon, garlic, blue cheese, and chives. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake until lightly browned.
Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad
A chopped salad with bacon and blue cheese is a refreshing meal. To make this salad, cut romaine, iceberg, red cabbage, ditalini, tomatoes, bacon, scallions, and chicken breast into small cubes. You can use a dressing of your choice, such as poppy seed, creamy garlic, or blue cheese dressing.
Blue Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
This is a simple yet tasty recipe. Cook the bacon until crispy, chop it up, and mix it with blue cheese. Stuff the mixture into mushroom caps and bake in the oven.
Pear and Blue Cheese Tart
This recipe combines the sweetness of pears with the savouriness of blue cheese. To make the tart, use a shortbread crust and fill it with a mixture of blue cheese and bacon. You can also add honey to the tart for extra flavour.
Blue Cheese and Bacon Sauce
This sauce is a delicious addition to burgers, sandwiches, or as a dip. It is made with mayonnaise, blue cheese, and crispy bacon.
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Blue cheese with fruit
Blue cheese is a strong, sharp, and salty cheese with an intense flavour. It is often loved or hated due to its pungency. Its bold flavour experience is achieved by ageing it for a minimum of 60 days.
When it comes to blue cheese and fruit, the classic pairing is with pears. The crisp, sweet flavour of a pear is a perfect match for the sharp saltiness of the blue cheese. Another classic pairing is with figs. The sweetness of the fig is a great complement to the blue cheese, and the two can be baked together for a delicious cheese course or sharing starter.
For a more complex flavour profile, blue cheese can be paired with a fruit compote. The briny acidity of the compote will cut through the richness of the cheese.
Blue cheese is also a great addition to a charcuterie board, where it can be paired with a variety of salty, sour, and sweet elements. This could include tiny cornichons, jams or fruit spreads, mustard, and honey for drizzling.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese is a strong, salty cheese that goes well with cured meats such as spicy Calabrian salami or aged prosciutto. It can also be used to top steak pies or chicken dishes.
Blue cheese is often used in salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas. It can also be paired with fruits such as figs or pears, or with nuts.
Blue cheese goes well with red or sparkling wine. For a beer, a dark stout or strong ale will complement the cheese.
Cambozola is a type of blue cheese with a creamy mouthfeel and a delicate crystalline texture. It is inspired by French Camembert and Italian Gorgonzola.
