If you want to impress your guests with your cooking skills, Marky’s smoked salmon is the perfect addition to a tasty charcuterie board. This set of cheese and crackers, topped with delicately cured smoked salmon, is like nothing else you’ve ever tasted—a truly luxurious meal! Markys Smoked Salmon’s perfect texture and delicate smoky flavor make it look amazing when paired with wheels of cheese or used as a topping for crispy crackers. Find out how adding different types of cheese and crackers to this delicious smoked fish makes it taste even better below!
Salmon is one of the most popular and versatile fish available. It tastes mild and has a rich, fatty texture, so it’s great for a lot of different dishes, from main courses to appetizers and more. But choosing the right cheese to go with salmon can really make the dish stand out and bring out the best in both of the ingredients. In this detailed guide, we’ll talk about the best kinds of cheese to eat with salmon to make delicious combinations.
Soft Cheeses Provide Contrast and Compliment
Soft cheeses like brie, camembert, and cream cheese provide a delicious contrast to the flaky texture of salmon. The creaminess perfectly compliments the fish’s fattier qualities. For example, adding a schmear of cream cheese or neufchatel cheese to a smoked salmon bagel is a classic and delicious combination. The tang of the cheese balances the smokiness of the fish. Or consider a baked salmon topped with brie and breadcrumbs. As the cheese melts, it creates the ultimate creamy, savory pairing. Soft cheeses spread on crackers are also an easy way to construct perfect salmon bites.
Fresh and Herbed Cheeses Add Brightness
Fresh chevre, mozzarella and ricotta add a bright clean flavor that pairs nicely with salmon’s richness. Cheeses like chevre and ricotta work well in salmon salads, pastas, or tacos by providing a creamy base that doesn’t overpower the fish. Herbed versions like dill havarti or pesto mozzarella add even more complementary flavors to the mix. The herbs accentuate flavors already present in many salmon preparations. Basil, dill, and chives are especially tasty pairings.
Sharp Cheeses Contrast With Salmon’s Fat
The bold, salty flavors of aged cheeses like parmesan, cheddar, and asiago make an excellent contrasting pairing with fattier salmon varieties like farmed Atlantic or Chinook The sharpness cuts through the fish’s oiliness and provides a strong flavor balance. Grate parmesan or aged cheddar over a baked salmon fillet for a simple baked salmon recipe turned gourmet For an appetizer, slice smoked salmon and serve with crackers andsharp cheddar or havarti. The cheese’s crystalline texture provides an interesting contrast with the smoked fish’s silkiness.
Blue Cheese Adds Creamy Decadence
Looking to add creaminess and a touch of decadence? Turn to blue cheese! The powerful, funky flavor of blue cheese pairs amazingly with salmon’s richness. Crumble pungent blue cheese over a cooked salmon fillet and broil for just a minute or two to create an incredible crust. For a showstopping appetizer, spread smoked salmon with blue cheese and roll into an elegant roulade. The tangy creaminess mellows the smoky fish beautifully. Or add crumbles of blue cheese into salmon cakes or burgers for ooey-gooey pockets of goodness.
Safe Food Handling Tips
When pairing cheese with salmon proper food handling is key since fish is highly perishable. Only buy fish the day you plan to eat it and keep refrigerated until ready to use. Thoroughly cook fish to 145°F. Allow cooked fish to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Always store leftover fish covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days. With cheeses, discard moldy varieties and keep tightly wrapped until serving. Let soft cheeses sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to improve flavor.
##Quick, Easy Recipe Ideas
Here are some fast recipe ideas to put all your cheesy salmon pairing knowledge into delicious action:
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Smoked salmon and dill cream cheese roll-ups: On smoked salmon slices, spread dill cream cheese, then roll them up. Serve on bagels or crackers. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh dill.
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Parmesan Crusted Salmon – Top salmon fillets with grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, olive oil and bake until flaky. Serve over pasta or greens for an easy meal.
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Salmon and Mozzarella Salad – Flake cooked salmon over a bed of mixed greens, diced tomato, cucumber, shredded mozzarella and basil vinaigrette.
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Cheddar Smoked Salmon Frittata – Sautee onions and smoked salmon, pour egg mixture over and cook until set. Add shredded cheddar the last few minutes to melt.
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Blue Cheese Salmon Sliders – Top cooked salmon patties with crumbled blue cheese, sandwich between mini buns and broil to melt cheese.
With so many possibilities, you’re sure to find the perfect cheesy match for any salmon dish. Follow these tips to take your salmon recipes to gourmet new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheese and Salmon Pairings
Still have questions about pairing cheeses with salmon? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
What is the best cheese to use for a salmon burger?
Cream cheese, brie, and Havarti are great options for salmon burgers. Their soft, creamy textures contrast nicely with the salmon patty. Spreading some cream cheese or brie on the bun before adding the cooked patty makes for amazing flavor and moisture.
What cheese goes well with smoked salmon?
Tangy, creamy cheese spreads pair wonderfully with smoked salmon. Try making smoked salmon roll-ups with cream cheese, goat cheese, or herbed cream cheese spreads. Sharp cheddars and blue cheese crumbles also complement the smokiness nicely.
What cheese complements poached salmon?
The delicate texture of poached salmon calls for equally delicate cheese pairings. Fresh mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, and soft herb goat cheeses are excellent choices. Top poached salmon fillets with a sprinkle of soft cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
Can I bake salmon with cheese?
Yes, baking salmon with cheese creates a delicious crust and plenty of flavor. Try topping salmon fillets with parmesan, breadcrumbs, olive oil and lemon slices before baking. Or melt slices of brie or Havarti on top of salmon for the last few minutes of baking.
What cheese goes with salmon pasta?
Creamy ricotta, fresh mozzarella, parmesan, and soft goat cheese are all excellent choices for mixing through salmon pasta dishes. Pick a cheese that pairs well with the other sauce ingredients like pesto, garlic, capers, spinach, and more.
Trying new cheese and salmon combinations is an adventure for your tastebuds. Use this guide as a starting point for discovering new favorite pairings. With the right cheese choice, you can bring any salmon recipe to the next level of flavor and enjoyment.
Describe the different types of crackers that pair well with smoked salmon
Smoked salmon is a treat that should be enjoyed to the fullest, and what better way to do that than with the perfect cracker? There are different kinds of crackers that go really well with smoked salmon, and each one can give you a different taste and texture experience. For a subtle and nutty flavor, try pairing smoked salmon with whole-grain crackers. If you want something more traditional, water crackers are a good choice that won’t take away from the fish’s delicate flavor. In order to add a little more crunch, you could use rye crackers. Their hearty texture goes well with the smokey salmon. It doesn’t matter what kind of cracker you pick; the salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors will make your mouth water.
Introduce Marky’s range of smoked salmon
Enjoy Markys’s premium range of smoked salmon, which tastes great and is the perfect addition to your charcuterie board. Theres nothing quite like the delicate balance of smoky, savory flavors that come from our expert smoking process. Not only does it make the salmon melt in your mouth, but it is also sourced in a way that doesn’t harm the environment and is carefully made by hand. There are also many different flavors, like dill, honey, and classic oak, so there is a perfect match for every taste. Elevate your next gathering with Markys smoked salmon and experience the epitome of indulgence.