Patrick Oconnell
Turkey sandwiches are a classic, and there are many ways to elevate them with cheese, vegetables, and condiments. Some popular cheeses to pair with turkey include Swiss, provolone, cheddar, and havarti. Provolone is a creamy cheese that pairs well with turkey, tomato, lettuce, and pesto mayo spread on a fresh roll. Similarly, havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a buttery and creamy texture that melts well, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a mild flavour and can be paired with turkey, bacon, and fruits like apples or pears.
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What You'll Learn
- Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a stringy texture
- Provolone Piccante is aged, with a nutty and sharp flavour
- Swiss, provolone, and cheddar all pair well with turkey
- Havarti is a semi-firm substitute for Emmental, with a buttery and smooth texture
- Gouda is a creamy, semi-hard Emmental substitute
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a stringy texture
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese with a stringy, firm texture and a sharp, tangy flavour. It is made from cow's milk and originates from Southern Italy, specifically the Campania region near Vesuvius. The cheese is aged for at least two months, and the longer it's aged, the sharper its taste becomes. Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways. It is often used for melting, making it suitable for sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and Italian dishes like lasagna and baked pasta. It pairs well with various wines and crackers. For example, Pinot Grigio's crisp acidity and light citrus notes can provide a refreshing contrast to the cheese's tanginess.
Provolone is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, especially when paired with turkey. It can be grilled until partially melted and served as a starter, often seasoned with herbs. When served this way, it is sometimes called provoleta. Provolone's mild, nutty flavour and melting properties make it a good complement to turkey, and it is often preferred for leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches.
Havarti is another cheese that is commonly paired with turkey in sandwiches. It is a light, creamy cheese that melts well, especially when paired with stale bread. Havarti has a milder flavour compared to provolone, and it is often paired with pesto and tomatoes in grilled cheese sandwiches. The combination of oven-roasted turkey, havarti, pesto, and tomatoes on sourdough bread is a simple yet delicious option.
When choosing between provolone and havarti for a turkey sandwich, consider your preference for flavour intensity. Provolone has a sharper, tangier flavour, while havarti is milder and creamier. Both cheeses melt well, but provolone is more stringy and firm in texture. Ultimately, both cheeses are excellent choices, and personal preference will dictate the final decision.
In addition to provolone and havarti, other cheeses that pair well with turkey include Swiss cheese, pepper jack, and fontina. These cheeses offer different flavour profiles and melting properties, providing a range of options to create delicious turkey sandwiches.
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Provolone Piccante is aged, with a nutty and sharp flavour
Provolone is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It is a stretched-curd cheese, which means it is made by stretching the cheese curds. This process gives provolone its distinctive stringy texture. Provolone originated in the Campania region near Vesuvius, where it is still produced in pear, sausage, or cone shapes. The most important provolone production region today is northwestern Italy, specifically the city of Cremona.
Provolone Piccante is a type of provolone that is aged for a longer period, resulting in a sharper and more intense flavour. The name "Provolone Piccante" comes from the Neapolitan word "prova" or "provola," which means globe-shaped. This variety of provolone is characterised by its firm and grainy texture and a yellower appearance. It is aged for at least four months to acquire its unique texture and flavour.
Provolone Piccante has a nutty and sharp flavour, with some describing it as having a cheddary taste. The sharp aftertaste is balanced by milky notes, creating a complex and bold flavour profile. The creamy interior of the cheese is encased by a brown and oily rind. The intense taste of Provolone Piccante is achieved by using goat or lamb rennet during the cheese-making process.
Provolone Piccante is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in various ways. It is perfect for grating over pasta or pizza, melting in sandwiches, or simply enjoying on its own as a table cheese. Its firm texture and bold taste make it a popular choice for cheese boards, especially when paired with spicy condiments or prosciutto. Provolone Piccante is a staple in Italian cuisine and is beloved by many Italians for its intense and savoury flavour.
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Swiss, provolone, and cheddar all pair well with turkey
Swiss, provolone, and cheddar are all excellent choices to pair with turkey. Each of these cheeses has distinct characteristics that complement turkey's flavour profile, making them versatile options for various dishes.
Provolone, a classic Italian cheese, is known for its creamy texture and mild flavour. Its smooth and buttery taste pairs beautifully with turkey, creating a delightful combination in sandwiches, paninis, or melts. The Costco Turkey and Provolone Sandwich is a well-loved example of this pairing, featuring layers of tender turkey breast and creamy provolone cheese, often served with crisp lettuce, tomato, and a spread of pesto mayo.
On the other hand, Swiss cheese adds a unique flavour to turkey dishes. Its nutty, sweet, and mildly acidic taste enhances the flavour of turkey without overwhelming it. Swiss cheese also has a slightly firmer texture than provolone, providing a pleasant contrast in mouthfeel.
Cheddar cheese, a widely popular variety, is known for its versatility and bold flavour. When paired with turkey, cheddar adds a sharp and tangy taste that complements the mildness of the meat. Whether it's a mild, medium, or sharp cheddar, this cheese variety enhances the overall flavour profile of turkey sandwiches, casseroles, or stuffed dishes.
Each of these cheeses brings its unique characteristics to the table when paired with turkey. Provolone offers creaminess and subtlety, Swiss cheese contributes a nutty sweetness, and cheddar provides a sharp and tangy contrast. Depending on your preference and the desired flavour profile of your dish, any of these cheeses can elevate your turkey-based meals to the next level.
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Havarti is a semi-firm substitute for Emmental, with a buttery and smooth texture
Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese with a buttery and creamy texture. It is a Danish cheese with a mild flavour, making it a versatile ingredient in various recipes. Its high moisture content and smooth consistency make it ideal for melting, and it is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, casseroles, and pizzas.
Emmental cheese, a Swiss or Alpine-style cheese from Switzerland, is a suitable substitute for Havarti. It has a mellow and creamy flavour, with a semi-firm texture. Emmental is commonly melted and used in sauces, fondue, or as a topping for potatoes or sandwiches. Its distinctive holes, formed during the aging process, set it apart from other cheeses.
When substituting Emmental for Havarti, consider the following:
- Flavour: While both cheeses have a mild flavour, Emmental is slightly tangier and more pronounced than Havarti.
- Texture: Emmental has a semi-firm texture, while Havarti is semi-soft. This difference may impact how the cheese melts and blends with other ingredients.
- Appearance: Emmental's characteristic holes give it a unique look compared to Havarti, which has tiny irregular openings called "eyes."
- Melting properties: Both cheeses melt well, but Havarti's high moisture content may result in a creamier, smoother melt.
When deciding between Havarti and Emmental, consider the specific dish and your desired flavour and texture profile. If you prefer a milder, smoother, and creamier cheese, Havarti is an excellent choice. However, if you want a slightly tangier and more pronounced flavour with a semi-firm texture, Emmental will add a unique touch to your recipes.
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Gouda is a creamy, semi-hard Emmental substitute
When it comes to choosing the best cheese to pair with turkey, there are several options to consider, including provolone, havarti, pepper jack, and Swiss cheese. Havarti, in particular, is a popular choice for grilled turkey sandwiches, often paired with pesto and tomatoes on sourdough bread. Its mild and creamy taste, as well as its melting capabilities, make it a versatile cheese for sandwiches.
Now, if you're specifically looking for a substitute for Emmental cheese, there are a few options that can provide similar characteristics. Emmental, a classic Swiss cheese, is known for its distinctive holes and nutty, mild flavour. It has a semi-hard texture that melts quickly, resulting in a creamy and smooth consistency.
Gouda, a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands, can be a suitable substitute for Emmental. Young Gouda has a mild and creamy texture, similar to that of young Emmental. While Gouda typically develops a rich, caramel-like sweetness as it ages, becoming harder and crumbly, its smooth and firm texture when young can be a good alternative to the semi-hardness of Emmental.
In addition to Gouda, other cheeses that can be used in place of Emmental include Gruyere, a Swiss cheese with a rich, nutty flavour and a slightly sweet undertone; Jarlsberg, a semi-hard Norwegian cheese with a mild, nutty taste and a creamy texture; and Mozzarella, a semi-soft Italian cheese with a stretchy texture and mild flavour. These substitutes may not have the iconic holes of Emmental, but they can provide similar flavours and textures, allowing for creative flexibility in various dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Provolone is a pulled or stretched curd cheese with two varieties: Dolce (mild) and Piccante (strong). It's a versatile cheese that can be used in cooking, grated over salads, or incorporated into desserts. It pairs well with turkey and can be used in grilled sandwiches, baked pasta dishes, casseroles, or on pizza.
Havarti is a smooth, buttery, semi-soft cow's milk cheese that originated in Denmark and was later perfected in Wisconsin. It's mild and likely to be enjoyed by both kids and adults, making it a good choice for a cheese platter. It's also a good melting cheese, so it can be used in grilled sandwiches or baked pasta dishes.
Swiss cheese is a rich and creamy cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes, including sandwiches, dips, and appetizers. It pairs well with meats such as ham, turkey, and chicken.
All three cheeses pair well with turkey, so it's a matter of personal preference. Provolone and Havarti are mild cheeses, while Swiss cheese has a richer, creamier flavor.
