Boule Bread's Best Cheesy Companions: A Guide

Boule bread, also known as cob in the UK, is a large, round loaf with a crusty outside and a soft centre. Its name comes from the French word for ball. The boule bread shape is versatile and can be used for various dishes, such as filling it with a creamy cheese mixture or layering it with antipasti and cheese. While there are no fixed rules for pairing cheese with bread, some recommended pairings include a zesty marinated feta with tangy sourdough, a nutty cheese like Comte with a seed- or nut-studded loaf, and a sweet, slightly earthy cinnamon raisin bread with fresh goat cheese. For a cheesy pull-apart garlic bread, mozzarella is recommended for its stretchy texture.

Boule bread and cheese recipes

Boule bread, also known as a cob in the UK, is a large, round loaf with a crusty outside and a soft centre. The shape of the bread also helps it stay fresher for longer.

Baked Cheesy Boule

One recipe idea is to bake cheese into your boule loaf. This recipe from Food52 combines walnuts, sage, and Fontina cheese to create a delicious, savoury loaf.

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces warm water
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast (or 1 tablespoon instant)
• 1 glug of honey, about 1 tablespoon
• 3 1/4 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons sea or kosher salt
• 2 glugs of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons
• 8-10 large sage leaves, minced
• 1 cup walnut pieces, toasted
• 1 cup Fontina cheese, 1/2” cubes, about 4-5 ounces

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scatter the walnut pieces over the parchment and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the water, yeast, and honey. Add the bread flour, salt, and olive oil, and mix on low speed.
• Once the dough comes together, add the cooled nuts and sage, and continue kneading until they are well incorporated.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and pat it into a circle about 12" in diameter. Scatter the cheese cubes over the surface, avoiding the edges.
• Fold the circle into a square, and then fold the 4 points of the square towards the centre, completely enfolding the cheese in the dough. Turn the dough over and gather the edges to form a ball again.
• Place the dough on a lined baking sheet, cover with plastic, and let it proof until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the plastic and slash the dough decoratively with a serrated knife.
• Bake for 30 minutes, rotating the bread halfway through, until the cheese bubbles out dramatically.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Pull-Apart Cheesy Boule

Another option is to make a pull-apart bread, where you stuff cheese and other ingredients into the cracks of the bread. This recipe from RecipeTin Eats combines garlic, butter, and mozzarella cheese for a delicious and fun dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 crusty boule loaf
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)
• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine the butter, garlic, and parsley in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave.
• Cut the bread on a diagonal into 1" diamonds, without cutting all the way through.
• Use your fingers to pry open each crack and drizzle in a teaspoon of the butter mixture, then stuff in a pinch of cheese.
• Brush the surface of the bread with the remaining butter.
• Wrap the bread in foil and bake for 20 minutes, then unwrap and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to make the bread crusty.
• Serve immediately.

Other Cheese Pairings

While the above recipes bake cheese into the bread itself, you can also serve a variety of cheeses on the side to accompany your boule loaf.

Some recommended pairings include:

• Zesty marinated feta with tangy sourdough
• Nutty cheese like Comte with a seed- or nut-studded loaf
• Sweet, slightly earthy cinnamon raisin bread with fresh goat cheese
• Focaccia with a hard, salty sheep's milk cheese like Fiore Sardo
• Miche with a sweet cheddar like Dubliner or Prairie Breeze
• Irish Brown Bread with a creamy blue cheese like Cashel Blue

Cheeses that pair well with boule bread

Boule bread is a large, round loaf with a crusty outside and a soft centre. The shape also helps the bread stay fresh for longer.

When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with boule bread, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, a complementary pairing involves matching the cheese and bread based on their textures and flavours. For example, a zesty marinated feta pairs well with the tanginess of sourdough bread. Alternatively, a nutty cheese like Comte is a perfect match for a seed- or nut-studded loaf.

On the other hand, a contrasting pairing involves choosing a cheese with a different texture or flavour profile to the bread. Marinated feta on sourdough bread is an example of a contrasting pairing, as the smooth cheese complements the springy bread and crunchy crust. Sweet and slightly earthy cinnamon raisin bread is another great option for a contrasting pairing, best enjoyed with a fresh goat cheese.

When pairing cheese with boule bread, it's important to consider the unique characteristics of both the cheese and the bread. The key is to trust your instincts and choose combinations that appeal to your personal taste preferences.

• Fill a boule bread with a creamy cheese mixture for a delicious party appetiser.
• Layer antipasti and cheese inside the boule bread, then bake and slice it for a hearty dinner.
• For a fun twist, try making a pull-apart garlic cheese boule bread. Cut the bread into diamond shapes, stuff the cracks with butter and mozzarella cheese, and bake until golden.
• Create a savoury cheese boule by incorporating walnuts, sage, and Fontina cheese into the dough for a unique flavour combination.

How to select the best cheese for baking

Baking with cheese is a great way to elevate your bread and take it to the next level. The type of cheese you choose will depend on the flavour profile you want to achieve, as well as the texture and consistency of your dough. Here are some tips on how to select the best cheese for baking:

Consider the Age of the Cheese

The age of the cheese can impact its flavour and texture, which in turn will affect the outcome of your baked goods. Younger cheeses tend to be softer and easier to handle, making them ideal for baking. For example, younger Gruyere has a salty-sweet taste profile and is easier to work with than its aged counterpart, which has a more robust and earthy flavour.

Choose a Strong-flavoured Cheese

When adding cheese to your baked goods, it's important to select a variety with a strong flavour. Mild cheeses tend to get lost in the background of the bread, so opt for something with a bolder taste that will shine through in the final product. Blue cheese, gorgonzola, and sharp cheddar are all excellent choices that will make a strong impact on the flavour of your baked goods.

Opt for Melting Cheeses

If you're looking to create a smooth and creamy texture in your baked goods, choose cheeses that melt well. Mild or sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and American Muenster are all great melting cheeses that will give you a smooth and homogeneous result.

Pair with the Right Bread

Just as important as choosing the right cheese is pairing it with the right type of bread. Consider the texture and flavour of the bread, and how it will complement or contrast with the cheese. For example, a soft and tangy goat cheese pairs well with a crunchy sourdough, while a sweet cinnamon raisin bread goes well with a zippy fresh goat cheese.

Experiment with Different Varieties

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese in your baking. Try using a combination of cheeses or substituting one variety for another in a recipe. For example, if you can't find gorgonzola, you can substitute it with blue cheese, which is very similar.

Check the Ingredients and Quality

When selecting cheese for baking, pay attention to the ingredients and quality. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additional chemicals to keep it fresh and prevent caking, so it's best to opt for a block of cheese and shred it yourself. Additionally, some cheeses, like Parmigiano Reggiano, have specific requirements and specifications that ensure a consistent taste and texture, which may be important for your baking needs.

By following these tips and considering your desired flavour profile and texture, you can select the best cheese for your baking endeavours, taking your bread to delicious new heights.

Cheeses that complement the shape of boule bread

The boule is a large, round loaf of bread with a crusty exterior and a soft centre. Its shape lends itself well to being filled with cheese and other ingredients, creating a crowd-pleaser for parties. Here are some cheeses that complement the shape of a boule:

Fontina Cheese

Fontina is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavour. It has a relatively mild taste, making it a good choice for those who are not fond of strong cheeses. Fontina melts well, making it an excellent option for stuffed bread. A recipe for a Savory Cheese Boule calls for cubed fontina cheese to be scattered over a flattened dough circle, which is then folded to encase the cheese before being shaped into a ball and baked.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy, and mild-tasting cheese that pairs well with boule bread. Its excellent melting properties make it ideal for stuffed bread or garlic bread. When baked, mozzarella becomes gooey and stringy, creating a delightful texture contrast with the crusty exterior of the boule.

Gruyere

Gruyere is a smooth, nutty-flavoured Swiss cheese that goes well with seed- or nut-studded loaves. Its savoury, slightly sweet taste and excellent melting properties make it a good choice for stuffed bread or grilled cheese sandwiches. Gruyere can also be grated and sprinkled over soups or salads.

Feta

Feta is a tangy, salty, and briny cheese that pairs well with tangy sourdough bread. It has a crumbly texture and a strong flavour, making a little go a long way. Marinated feta with sourdough is a complementary pairing, while the same feta with sourdough also counts as a contrasting pairing due to the smooth texture of the cheese against the springy, crunchy bread.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a strong, salty, and creamy cheese that goes well with Irish brown bread. Its pungent flavour and crumbly texture make it a good choice for those who enjoy bold flavours. Cashel Blue is a variety of blue cheese that is particularly well-suited to pairing with bread.

Other bread and cheese combinations

While a boule bread and cheese are a great combination, there are many other bread and cheese pairings to try. Here are some suggestions:

• Cinnamon raisin bread with fresh goat cheese: The sweetness of cinnamon raisin bread is offset by zippy fresh goat cheese. Try Vermont Creamery Goat Log or Laura Chenel Fresh Goat Cheese.
• Seed- or nut-studded loaf with a smooth Alpine cheese: The crunch of seeds or nuts in the bread pairs well with a smooth, nutty cheese like Comte or Gruyere.
• Sourdough with marinated feta: Tangy sourdough complements the tanginess of marinated feta, like Meredith Dairy or Chevoo.
• Baguette with Epoisses: A classic French combination, the crisp crust and chewy interior of a baguette go well with the strong, pungent flavour of Epoisses, a washed-rind cheese.
• Focaccia with Fiore Sardo: This combination pairs a flatbread-style bread with a hard, salty sheep's milk cheese.
• Miche with Dubliner or Prairie Breeze: Miche is a type of doughy, rustic bread that goes well with a sweet cheddar like Dubliner or Prairie Breeze.
• Irish Brown Bread with Cashel Blue: A creamy blue cheese like Cashel Blue is a good match for the dense, slightly sweet Irish Brown Bread.

When pairing bread and cheese, consider the textures and flavours of each and how they will complement or contrast with each other. Ultimately, the best pairing is the one that tastes good to you!

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