Pair cheese and fruit for a healthy snack or easy appetizer when entertaining. The salt in the cheese is balanced by the sweet in the fruit, and the crunch of the fruit contrasts the suppleness of the cheese. In short, your salivary glands will think they died and went to heaven.
Grapes are the most classic accompaniment, but don’t stop there. I’ve listed some pairings from around the world below and invite you to come up with more and post them on this site.
- Watermelon + Feta (Greece)
- Apricot + Stilton (England)
- Cantaloupe + Brie (France)
- Tomato + Pecorino (Italy)
- Membrillo (quince paste) + Manchego (Spain)
- Green apple + Gruyere (Switzerland)
- Avocado + Queso Fresco (Mexico)
- Fig + goat cheese (USA)
Keep in mind that ripe, sweet fruit works best, and avoid really acidic fruits like citrus. Bon appétit!
Smoked fontina and homemade blueberry preserves is a favourite of mine. Strange combination, but the smoky rich flavour of the fontina helps to mellow the sticky sweet of the blueberry preserves.
Posted by: Joe | December 30, 2008 at 03:34 PM
A nice crisp apple with the oldest and sharpest piece of yellow I can find is a still my favourite snack. (Very Canadian), old cheddar is also good indie a piece of apple pie.
Posted by: Thomas | September 14, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I love manchego with figs
Posted by: Paul | February 18, 2008 at 08:11 PM