Patrick Oconnell
Blue cheese is a pungent, tangy cheese with a unique flavour. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta and burgers. If you're looking for ways to use up a large quantity of blue cheese, there are numerous options to consider. One popular suggestion is to pair it with fruits like pears and persimmons, perhaps in a salad with candied walnuts, or in a pear pasta dish with cubes of fresh pear and a creamy sauce. Blue cheese also works well with meat, adding a punch of flavour to dishes like steak, burgers, and chicken wings. It can be crumbled and melted on top of a burger, or used as a cheesy dip for wings. For a vegetarian option, try a classic French onion soup with blue cheese and oloroso sherry. If you're feeling creative, you can even use blue cheese in desserts, such as puff pastry bites with bacon and candied pecans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Spinach, spring greens, avocado, bacon, tomato, strawberries, spiced pecans, orange sections, blueberries, walnuts, scallions, herbs, red wine, pears, persimmons, olive oil, white wine vinegar, candied walnuts, arugula |
| Sandwiches | Savory walnut bread, honey-flavored butter, BLT, hot ham |
| Burgers | Black and bleu, bacon, caramelized onions |
| Pizzas | BBQ chicken, rosemary flatbread |
| Pasta | Gnocchi, spinach, garlic, red pepper flakes, hard-boiled eggs, mozzarella, cashews, pear pasta dish, penne, walnut, gorgonzola |
| Appetizers | Cheese ball, asparagus, vinaigrette, sliders, crostini |
| Dips | Buffalo chicken, pear and buttermilk blue |
| Desserts | Blue cheese, bacon, candied pecan puff pastry bites |
| Grilled cheese | Buttermilk blue, zucchini, tomatoes |
| Soups | French onion |
| Side dishes | Potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, chicken stock, thyme |
| Snacks | Crackers, guava paste, Carr's crackers, French brie |
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Salads
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a punch of flavour to your salads. Here are some ideas for salads that incorporate blue cheese:
Baby Blue Salad
This salad combines spring greens, blue cheese, strawberries, spiced pecans, and orange sections. The sweetness of the strawberries and oranges pairs surprisingly well with the creaminess of the blue cheese, while the spiced pecans add a crunchy texture.
Beet and Blue Cheese Salad
Created by chef Nicolaus Balla, this salad features the colours and flavours of beets, scallions, herbs, and red wine. The sweetness of the beets and the acidity of the red wine complement the creaminess and pungency of the blue cheese.
Mesclun Salad
Food blogger Mimi Thorisson's creation, this salad is a mix of sweet and savoury flavours. It includes figs, apples, grapes, apple cider vinegar, and whole-grain mustard. The blue cheese adds a tangy twist to the salad, creating a unique blend of flavours and textures.
Blue Cheese, Bacon, and Spinach Salad
This salad combines the creaminess of blue cheese with the savoury flavours of bacon and the freshness of spinach. It can be enhanced with avocado, providing a healthy fat source, and blueberries, adding a touch of sweetness.
Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad
This salad features the classic combination of blue cheese and walnuts. It includes sliced fruits, such as pears and persimmons, drizzled with olive oil and white wine vinegar. The sweetness of the fruits balances the pungency of the blue cheese, while the walnuts provide a crunchy texture.
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Pasta
Blue cheese pasta is a versatile dish that can be made in many ways. Here are some ideas for preparing blue cheese pasta:
Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta with Lemon and Walnuts
This recipe is perfect for an indulgent dinner for one. Start by filling a medium-sized pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water, keeping in mind that blue cheese tends to be salty. Choose your favourite pasta shape and add it to the water. While the pasta cooks, mince some garlic, chop some walnuts, zest a lemon, and cut the lemon in half. Drain the pasta, but remember to keep the pasta water. In a separate pan, heat some olive oil and add the walnuts. Stir them around in the oil for about a minute until they start to smell nutty. Then, add the garlic, lemon zest, and dried chilli flakes. Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Finally, add your blue cheese and stir everything together. This dish is best served immediately and enjoyed with a glass of wine.
Blue Cheese Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
This recipe is a quick and easy vegetarian option that can be ready in just 15 minutes. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and adding salt. Cook your desired pasta according to the package instructions, reserving a cup of pasta water before draining. In a separate pan, melt some butter and fry a shallot over medium heat until softened. Add in some creme fraiche and cook until it bubbles, stirring often. Add a bit of the reserved pasta water, then throw in some spinach and cook until it wilts. Finally, add your blue cheese and stir to combine. Toss in the cooked pasta, season to taste, and serve immediately. Toasted walnuts and a sprinkle of parsley can be added for some extra crunch and flavour.
Blue Cheese and Pear Pasta
This unique combination of blue cheese and sweet, fresh pears creates a refreshing and simple dish. Start by brushing your pear cubes with lemon juice to prevent browning. In a pot over medium heat, melt some butter and combine all ingredients except for the cream and parmesan cheese. Saute the mixture until the cheese starts to melt and the ingredients are warmed through. Then, add the cream and combine well. Once the mixture becomes bubbly, remove it from the heat and top with parmesan cheese. Serve this light meal with a pear and arugula salad.
Blue Cheese Sauce
If you're looking for a simple blue cheese sauce to toss with your pasta, this recipe uses just three ingredients: butter, blue cheese, and parsley. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your desired pasta according to the package directions. Reserve some of the pasta water, then drain the noodles. In the same pot, melt some butter over low heat. Add the cooked pasta back to the pot and stir to coat with the butter. Slowly add your desired amount of blue cheese, stirring as it melts. Drizzle in some of the reserved pasta water to prevent the noodles from clumping together and to create a lighter sauce texture. Finally, stir in some parsley and add salt to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Desserts
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a punch of flavour to both sweet and savoury dishes. Here are some dessert ideas to use up a lot of blue cheese:
Blue Cheese Cheesecake
A popular dessert option is to incorporate blue cheese into a cheesecake. This can be done by adding crumbled blue cheese to a traditional cheesecake recipe, creating a tangy and creamy dessert.
Blue Cheese Ice Cream
For a unique and creative dessert, blue cheese ice cream is a surprising delight. To make this unusual treat, start by cooking half-and-half with peppercorns over medium-low heat. Then, mix the hot half-and-half with crumbled blue cheese, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Chill the mixture overnight or for at least four hours. Finally, churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. The key to a tasty blue cheese ice cream is finding the right balance of flavours. It is recommended to use small crumbles of blue cheese or melt it into the base to avoid an overwhelmingly salty taste.
Blue Cheese with Sweet Accompaniments
For a simpler dessert option, serve blue cheese with sweet accompaniments on a dessert cheese board. This allows the blue cheese to shine as the star ingredient. Some pairing suggestions include sweet and crisp cookies, such as Tagalong Girl Scout cookies, or fruity spreads like raspberry or apricot jam.
Blue Cheese with Fruit
Blue cheese pairs well with various fruits, such as apples, poached pears, and blackberries. Consider serving blue cheese with an apple or pear tart, or even stuffed inside strawberries for a unique bite-sized dessert.
Blue Cheese in Baked Goods
Incorporate blue cheese into your baked goods for a savoury twist. Update classic thumbprint cookies by adding a thin layer of creamy blue cheese beneath the jam. Alternatively, add blue cheese to a rosemary flatbread recipe for a flavourful and mouthwatering treat.
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Burgers
Blue cheese is a great ingredient to use in burgers, adding a tangy, creamy texture and a strong flavour.
Patties
To make the perfect blue cheese burger, you can either mix the blue cheese into the patty or use it as a topping. If you want to mix it into the patty, combine ground beef, mustard, garlic, onions, blue cheese, water, egg, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper in a large bowl. You can also add Worcestershire sauce, cumin, cinnamon, and rosemary to the mixture for extra flavour. Form the mixture into patties and refrigerate until you are ready to cook them.
Toppings
If you want to use blue cheese as a topping, you can make a blue cheese sauce or dressing by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, and parsley. You can also add garlic to the sauce for extra flavour. If you want to add other toppings to your burger, bacon, lettuce, tomato, arugula, mushrooms, and caramelized onions are all great options.
Cooking
When you are ready to cook your burgers, you can either grill them or cook them in a skillet. If you are grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high and place the patties on for 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for another 3 minutes before adding the blue cheese to the tops of the patties. Close the grill and cook for one more minute before removing the patties from the grill. If you are cooking your burgers in a skillet, preheat the skillet over medium-high heat and add the patties. Cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3 minutes. Top the patties with the blue cheese and cook for an additional minute before removing from the heat.
Assembly
To assemble your blue cheese burger, spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of the bun and top with arugula, lettuce, and tomato. Add the patty, followed by the blue cheese sauce and bacon. Place the top bun on top and enjoy!
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Dips
When it comes to dips, blue cheese is an excellent ingredient to add depth and flavor. Here are some dip ideas to utilize a large quantity of blue cheese:
A classic option is a simple blue cheese dip, perfect for crackers, vegetables, or even as a topping for baked potatoes. To make this, combine crumbled blue cheese with sour cream, mayonnaise, and a splash of milk to thin it out. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick. For a thicker, chunkier dip, fold in some chopped green onions and crispy bacon bits.
Another option is a warm, creamy blue cheese fondue. Melt your blue cheese with some cream, white wine, and a touch of flour to thicken. Add a hint of nutmeg and some freshly ground black pepper. This fondue is delicious served with crusty bread, steamed vegetables, or even sliced apples. For a more indulgent option, stir through some chopped, toasted walnuts.
For a healthier option, make a yogurt-based blue cheese dip. Mix Greek yogurt with crumbled blue cheese, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a drizzle of honey. Add some chopped fresh chives and a pinch of paprika. This dip is tasty with raw veggies, pita chips, or even as a sauce for grilled meats.
If you're feeling adventurous, try a blue cheese hummus. Blend together cooked chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and a healthy helping of blue cheese. Season with salt and pepper and a dash of cumin. This hummus is delicious served with pita bread, crudites, or even as a spread on sandwiches.
With these dip ideas, you can easily use up a large quantity of blue cheese while creating delicious and versatile snacks or appetizers. Each dip offers a unique flavor and texture profile, ensuring you won't tire of using blue cheese in your cooking.
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