Are you a fan of blue cheese? If so, you may have heard of Blue Stilton – a British blue cheese with a salty, earthy flavor and blue mold veins.
While it’s a traditional delicacy that has been in production in the UK for almost 300 years, sales have been declining among younger age groups. But fear not, because we’re here to show you how to enjoy this delicious cheese in a variety of ways!
From salads and sandwiches to sauces and dressings, there are endless possibilities for incorporating Blue Stilton into your meals. So grab a glass of port (or your preferred dessert wine) and let’s dive into the world of Blue Stilton cheese.
How To Eat Blue Stilton Cheese?
First and foremost, it’s important to make sure your guests actually like blue cheese before serving it. Blue Stilton is a strong and flavorful cheese that people tend to either love or hate. If someone is uncertain or wants to try it, it could be a good idea to start with a milder variety and ask your local cheese shop for a recommendation.
Once you’ve decided to use Blue Stilton, there are many ways to enjoy it. Here are some ideas:
– Serve it as is: One of the best ways to enjoy Blue Stilton is simply with some salty crackers, fresh figs, roasted almonds, and a spread of jam or marmalade. Great marmalades to pair with the cheese include rosehip, fig, pear, and quince. A sweet vinegar or pickled fruits can also work well. And don’t forget the wine!
– Dips: Blue cheese dip is a classic combination for all sorts of dippings, from vegetables to chips.
– On a burger: Try adding a slice of melted Blue Stilton to your next burger with some fried onions.
– Salads: Crumble Blue Stilton into salads for an added burst of flavor. It pairs well with all types of salads, but try adding bacon, endives, romaine lettuce, and leeks for a delicious combination.
– Gravy: Add some Blue Stilton into your next gravy, especially if you’re serving game like venison or beef.
– Sauces: Melt Blue Stilton into a sauce before adding it to a dish. It’s also great in blue cheese dressing for salads.
– Baked goods: Bake Blue Stilton into savory tarts, quiches, or pies for an added depth of flavor.
When using Blue Stilton in cooking, be sure to add it during the final stage of cooking to avoid overcooking and spoiling the taste. Additionally, take care not to heat the cheese too much as warmth increases its inherent bitterness and changes the flavor.
Blue Stilton also pairs well with many different types of breads and wines. While some people prefer plum bread or Asiago bread with sweet wine or chutney, others prefer white bread with half-dry white wine or red wine with tannin. A good beer can also do the trick.
What Is Blue Stilton Cheese?
Blue Stilton is an English cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. It is a type of blue cheese, which means it has blue mold veins running through it. The cheese comes in a cylindrical shape with its own crust formed during the aging process. Blue Stilton is characterized by a salty, earthy flavor and a creamy, crumbly, and smooth texture. It has a rich, intense flavor that is less salty than other blue cheeses like Roquefort. The cheese is made in the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire, and it has been granted the status of a protected designation of origin (PDO) by the European Commission. This means that only cheese produced in these three counties can be called Stilton. Blue Stilton pairs well with crackers, figs, almonds, jam, marmalade, and wine. It can also be used in dips, on burgers, in salads, gravies, sauces, and baked goods. When using Blue Stilton in cooking, it’s important to add it during the final stage of cooking to avoid overcooking and spoiling the taste.
The History And Production Of Blue Stilton Cheese
Blue Stilton cheese is a traditional English cheese that has been produced for centuries. It is made in two varieties: Blue, which has Penicillium roqueforti added to generate a characteristic smell and taste, and White, which does not. The cheese takes its name from the village of Stilton, now in Cambridgeshire, where it has long been sold.
The history of blue cheeses dates back many centuries BC, where ambient cultures created blue veining in caves. Among the oldest European blues including Roquefort and Gorgonzola, Stilton is a relative youngster but of no less importance for blue aficionados. Varying sources credit several cheesemakers as possible founders of Stilton, but all sources point to the early 1720s for its inception. The Bell Inn in Stilton, Huntingdonshire, was the spot where the notable blue-veined cheese was served to travelers from London on the Great North Road, securing its infamy. Daniel Dafoe wrote of Stilton in his travel memoir of 1724, referring to it as “our English Parmesan.”
Stilton is still hand-made by master cheesemakers in a process which remains unchanged for countless years. Initially, Stilton makers used local raw cow’s milk to make this medium strength blue cheese. But after a health scare in the late 1980s, they adapted their procedures to use pasteurized milk instead. Moreover, the Stilton PDO now restricts the recipe to only pasteurized milk.
The entire process of making Blue Stilton cheese takes about nine weeks in total – from milk to shelf. First, fresh local milk is poured into an open vat and essential ingredients are added at this stage – acid forming bacteria known as starter cultures, a milk-clotting agent such as rennet and penicillium roqueforti – which is the blue mold spores essential to give the cheese its famous veining. Next, the curds begin to form and whey is removed before leaving the curds to drain overnight.
The curds are then divided and transferred into the Stilton hoops or molds. They are left to drain for several days at a set temperature and humidity. The hoops of Stilton are turned regularly to allow an even distribution of moisture to spread through the cheese. The milling process breaks the curds down into small pieces, which form the basis of the cheese.
After five or six days, the hoops are removed and each cheese roundel is sealed by smoothing or wrapping it to keep air out. The cheesemaker uses a knife to smooth off the edges of the roundel, preventing blue mold growth at this point.
The cheeses are then moved to a store that is carefully controlled for both temperature and humidity. During this ‘ripening’ period, the cheese continues to be turned regularly for about five weeks. Once this period is up, the roundels are pierced with stainless steel needles to enable the blue mold to develop and give the cheese its characteristic ‘veiny’ appearance. Piercing is repeated a week later before each cheese is individually graded.
The Health Benefits Of Blue Stilton Cheese
Apart from its delicious taste and versatility in cooking, Blue Stilton cheese also offers several health benefits. It is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral essential for healthy teeth and bones. A one-ounce serving of Blue Stilton cheese contains 150 mg of calcium, making it a great option for those looking to boost their calcium intake. Regular consumption of calcium-rich foods such as Blue Stilton can help protect bone health and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Blue Stilton cheese also contains spermidine, a compound that may delay aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This compound has a positive effect on cardiac muscle cells and other parts of the cardiovascular system, which may explain what health experts refer to as the “French paradox.” This phenomenon is characterized by fewer people in France dying from cardiovascular disease despite consuming more saturated fat on average.
In addition to these benefits, Blue Stilton cheese may also help with managing visceral fat around the abdominal area and maintaining gut health. Studies have found that regular consumption of blue cheese helps with managing levels of visceral fat, which has been associated with higher mortality rates.
It’s important to note that while Blue Stilton cheese offers several health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation due to its high levels of saturated fat, calories, and sodium. People should also store the cheese safely and avoid consuming any cheese that has spoiled as it can produce substances called mycotoxins that are harmful to health.
How To Choose And Store Blue Stilton Cheese
When choosing Blue Stilton cheese, it’s important to look for a cheese that has a crumbly and soft texture, with a beautiful interior that is streaked like marble. The taste should be intense and rich, opening with creamy and nutty specks, followed by a salty finish that sticks to your palate. It’s also important to make sure the cheese is made from fresh milk from cows grazing on pastures in the midlands of England, as this will ensure the highest quality product.
To store Blue Stilton cheese, it’s best to keep it in the fridge. This will slow down the rate of fermentation and extend its shelf life. Store it in the coolest, driest part of the fridge, such as the crisper. It’s also important to keep it well wrapped in the cheese paper it came in, if possible. This paper will keep it fresh longer, and if it was wrapped properly, it will be easy to rewrap.
While storing Blue Stilton in the fridge is ideal for keeping it fresh longer, this cheese tastes better when stored at room temperature. If you plan on consuming the cheese within a few days, you can store it on the counter. However, make sure to wrap it properly and keep it away from any strong-smelling foods.
If you want to freeze Blue Stilton cheese, simply cut it into easy-to-handle portions and wrap them in cling film or foil before placing them in the freezer. The cheese can be frozen for up to three months. When defrosting, do so slowly in the fridge or a cool larder for about 24 hours before use. Slow defrosting is essential to stop the cheese from becoming too crumbly.
Properly wrapped Blue Stilton cheese will keep perfectly in the fridge for a couple of weeks after opening. During this period, it will continue to mature and become creamier in texture while developing a more mellow flavor. It’s important to keep it well wrapped and preferably in an airtight container to prevent the cheese from tainting any other foods in the fridge and vice versa.
Ways To Enjoy Blue Stilton Cheese In Your Meals
Blue Stilton is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of meals. Here are some creative ways to incorporate Blue Stilton into your meals:
1. Melt on top of a burger: One of the most popular ways to enjoy Blue Stilton is by melting it on top of a burger. The creamy and tangy flavor of the cheese pairs perfectly with the savory beef patty.
2. Make a dip: Blue cheese dip is a classic appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. Combine Blue Stilton with sour cream, mayonnaise, and spices for a delicious dip that pairs well with vegetables, crackers, and chips.
3. Add to salads: Crumble Blue Stilton over your favorite salad for an added burst of flavor. It pairs well with all types of salad greens, but try adding it to a salad with bacon, endives, romaine lettuce, and leeks for a delicious combination.
4. Use in sauces: Melt Blue Stilton into a sauce before adding it to a dish. It’s also great in blue cheese dressing for salads.
5. Bake into savory dishes: Blue Stilton can be baked into savory tarts, quiches, or pies for an added depth of flavor. Try adding it to a pasta dish or using it as a topping for pizza.
6. Pair with wine and bread: Blue Stilton pairs well with many different types of breads and wines. While some people prefer plum bread or Asiago bread with sweet wine or chutney, others prefer white bread with half-dry white wine or red wine with tannin. A good beer can also do the trick.
When cooking with Blue Stilton, it’s important to add it during the final stage of cooking to avoid overcooking and spoiling the taste. Take care not to heat the cheese too much as warmth increases its inherent bitterness and changes the flavor.
Blue Stilton Cheese Pairings: Wine, Fruits, And Nuts
When it comes to pairing Blue Stilton cheese with wine, fruits, and nuts, there are many options to consider. The strong and pungent flavor of Blue Stilton cheese pairs well with sweet wines that have a hint of nuttiness. Some of the best wine options to try include Sauternes, Tawny Port, Sherry, Tokaji, and Moscato d’Asti.
For those who prefer a sparkling wine, Prosecco is an excellent choice as it complements the nutty flavors of the cheese. If you’re looking for a red wine pairing, try Amarone, Zinfandel, or a late harvest or dessert wine.
When it comes to fruits and nuts, Blue Stilton cheese pairs beautifully with fresh figs, pear and apple slices, dried fruits, and walnuts. Chutneys, honey, truffle, and chocolate are also great options to consider. These pairings create a balance between the salty flavors of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruits and nuts.
If you’re looking for a traditional pairing for Blue Stilton cheese, consider serving it with port wine. This is the only exception to the no-big-reds rule as the intense grapey sweetness of port wine offsets the challenges posed by tannins and high alcohol. Look for an LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) bottle that is ready to drink upon purchase.
