Nuts and cheese are both popular ingredients that are often used together in recipes to create delicious flavor combinations. However, not all cheeses naturally contain nuts. The cheeses that do contain nuts have them mixed into the cheese during the cheesemaking process.
Blue Cheeses
Some blue cheeses are made with the addition of nuts, which adds to their unique flavor and texture. Here are some of the more common blue cheeses that contain nuts:
- Stilton – This classic English blue cheese usually has blue veins that are created by Penicillium roqueforti mold. However, some varieties also have toasted walnuts mixed into the cheese.
- Roquefort – This is one of the most famous French blue cheeses that is aged in the Roquefort-sur-Soulzon caves. The cheese has a characteristic tangy, salty flavor that comes from the Penicillium roqueforti mold. Traditionally, Roquefort also contains bits of chopped walnuts that provide a nutty crunch.
- Gorgonzola – This Italian blue cheese can be made with either cow’s milk or goat’s milk. Gorgonzola naturale is the plain variety, while gorgonzola con noci contains added walnuts that give it texture.
- Cambozola – This is a combination of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola. It has a soft, creamy texture and some versions also include pieces of walnuts inside the cheese.
Cheddar Cheese
While traditional cheddar cheese is not made with nuts, some gourmet cheddar cheese varieties incorporate nuts into the cheese for added flavor.
Here are some examples of cheddar cheeses with nuts:
- Black Walnut Cheddar – This variety includes pieces of black walnut that add a nutty taste and crunch.
- Hickory Smoked Cheddar – The hickory smoking gives this cheddar a robust flavor. Some versions also include toasted pecans.
- Pesto Cheddar – Basil pesto swirled into cheddar provides fresh herbal notes. Pine nuts are often included in the pesto, lending nuttiness.
- Cheddar with Roasted Hazelnuts – The hazelnuts give this cheddar a sweet, earthy flavor and pleasant crunchy texture.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese logs and spreads are sometimes combined with various nuts to create unique flavor blends. Here are some examples of goat cheeses with nuts:
- Goat Cheese with Toasted Walnuts – The tanginess of the goat cheese is balanced by the crunch of toasted walnuts.
- Honey Goat Cheese with Almonds – Mild goat cheese gets a kick from the addition of honey and slivered almonds.
- Fig and Pecan Goat Cheese – Bits of fig and pecan complement the smooth, spreadable goat cheese.
- Goat Cheese with Hazelnuts – Earthy hazelnuts pair well with tangy, herbal goat cheese.
Feta Cheese
Feta is a classic Greek cheese that is often combined with nuts in Mediterranean cuisine. Here are some feta cheese products that contain nuts:
- Feta with Pistachios – Crumbled feta gets nutty crunch from chopped pistachios.
- Feta Walnut Dip – Feta and walnuts are blended with Greek yogurt for a creamy, nutty dip.
- Feta with Honey and Walnuts – Honeyed walnuts add sweetness to balance the briny feta.
- Baked Feta with Almonds – Slivered almonds top this hot baked feta dish.
Queso Cheese
Queso fresco and queso blanco are fresh Mexican cheeses that sometimes have nuts mixed in:
- Queso Fresco with Pecans – Crumbly queso fresco gets crunch from chopped pecans.
- Walnut Queso Blanco Dip – Queso blanco is blended with walnuts to make a protein-packed dip.
- Queso Fresco with Pine Nuts – Pine nuts add nutty flavor to creamy queso fresco.
- Queso Blanco with Almonds – Slivered almonds pair nicely with mild queso blanco.
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that is sometimes combined with nuts for desserts or spreads:
- Mascarpone with Hazelnuts – Nutella is swirled into mascarpone for a chocolate-hazelnut cream cheese.
- Mascarpone with Pistachios – Pistachios lend their color and flavor to smooth mascarpone cheese.
- Mascarpone with Almond Extract – Almond extract gives this cream cheese a light almond aroma and flavor.
- Mascarpone with Walnuts – Toasted walnuts can be folded into mascarpone for texture and crunch.
Ricotta Cheese
In Italian cuisine, ricotta cheese is sometimes combined with nuts in baked dishes or desserts:
- Ricotta with Pine Nuts – Fresh ricotta gets a crunchy topping of toasted pine nuts.
- Ricotta Cake with Almonds- Ground almonds are used to make a dense cake with creamy ricotta.
- Ricotta Cannoli Filling – Chopped pistachios flavor the ricotta filling in cannoli shells.
- Ricotta with Honey and Hazelnuts – Hazelnuts pair nicely with mild, sweet ricotta cheese.
Cream Cheese
Both full-fat and reduced-fat cream cheese are commonly combined with nuts to make dips, frostings, and cheese balls:
- Pecan Cream Cheese Spread – Chopped pecans lend crunch to creamy cream cheese.
- Walnut Cream Cheese Frosting – This is a nuttier version of classic cream cheese frosting.
- Almond Cream Cheese Ball – Finely chopped almonds coat the outside of this appetizer cream cheese ball.
- Pine Nut Cream Cheese Dip – Pine nuts add protein and flavor to a savory cream cheese dip.
Soft Ripened Cheeses
The rinds of soft ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert can be rolled in nuts before serving:
- Brie with Walnuts – The buttery brie rind is coated in crunchy chopped walnuts.
- Camembert with Almonds – Slivered almonds stick to the exterior of gooey Camembert cheese.
- Brie with Pecans – Chopped pecans add texture and flavor to the rind of wheel of brie.
- Camembert with Pistachios – Pistachios on the rind contrast with the soft interior of Camembert.
Conclusion
While most cheeses are made exclusively from milk, some varieties incorporate nuts into their recipes or as accompaniments. Blue cheeses, cheddar, goat cheese, feta, queso, mascarpone, ricotta, and cream cheese are some types that can contain walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, or pistachios. The nuts complement and add texture, crunch, and flavor to smooth and creamy cheeses. So for a nutty twist, look for cheeses featuring your favorite nuts.