Transform your leftover blue cheese: easy and creative recipes
What To Know
- Stir in crumbled blue cheese to macaroni and cheese for a creamy, cheesy delight.
- Roll crumbled blue cheese in nuts or bread crumbs to create a savory cheese ball.
- Wrap blue cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Blue cheese, with its pungent aroma and distinctive blue-green veins, can elevate any dish with its salty, tangy flavor. However, sometimes we’re left with a wedge that needs using up. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you utilize every last bit of this delectable cheese:
Salads and Dressings
- Classic Blue Cheese Dressing: Combine crumbled blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, and herbs for a creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Salad Toppings: Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over mixed greens, arugula, or spinach salads for a salty burst of flavor.
- Fruit Salads: Add blue cheese to fruit salads with apples, pears, or grapes for a sweet-and-savory balance.
Sandwiches and Burgers
- Blue Cheese Burger: Top burgers with melted blue cheese for a decadent, savory experience.
- Monte Cristo Sandwich: Use blue cheese instead of Swiss cheese in this classic sandwich for a tangy twist.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Add crumbled blue cheese to grilled cheese sandwiches for an extra layer of flavor.
Soups and Stews
- Creamy Blue Cheese Soup: Puree blue cheese with milk, cream, and vegetables for a rich and velvety soup.
- Beef Stew: Enhance beef stew with the salty tang of blue cheese.
- Vegetable Soup: Add crumbled blue cheese to vegetable soups for a savory depth of flavor.
Pizza and Pasta
- Blue Cheese Pizza: Create a unique pizza by topping it with blue cheese, mozzarella, and caramelized onions.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Stir in crumbled blue cheese to macaroni and cheese for a creamy, cheesy delight.
- Alfredo Sauce: Add blue cheese to Alfredo sauce for a rich and flavorful variation.
Spreads and Dips
- Blue Cheese Dip: Combine crumbled blue cheese with cream cheese, sour cream, and herbs for a tangy dip.
- Cheese Ball: Roll crumbled blue cheese in nuts or bread crumbs to create a savory cheese ball.
- Hummus: Add blue cheese to hummus for a unique and flavorful spread.
The Bottom Line: The Blue Cheese Odyssey
With these creative ideas, you can now use up every last bit of blue cheese, transforming it into culinary masterpieces that will tantalize your taste buds. From salads to soups, pizzas to dips, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the pungent charm of blue cheese and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
What You Need to Know
Q: How do I store blue cheese properly?
A: Wrap blue cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Q: Can I freeze blue cheese?
A: Yes, you can freeze blue cheese for up to 6 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing.
Q: How do I know if blue cheese has gone bad?
A: Discard blue cheese if it has a slimy texture, a strong ammonia smell, or visible mold other than the characteristic blue-green veins.
