Best Pickled Cheese Recipes

SAUSAGE AND CHEESE-STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS WITH QUICK-PICKLED RED ONIONS AND RADISHES

Steps:

• Position a rack on the top of the oven and preheat to broil.
• Combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/3 cup warm water in a mason jar. Cover and shake to combine until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the onions and radishes and set aside.
• Drizzle the oil over the peppers, season with 1 teaspoon salt and arrange on a baking sheet cut-side up. Broil on the upper rack of the oven until blistered and softened, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Mix together the pork, garlic, paprika, chili powder, cumin and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Transfer to a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook, breaking up the pork into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain the excess fat and set aside to cool.
• Stir half of the cheese into the pork. Distribute the mixture evenly in the cavities of the peppers. Top with remaining cheese and broil until melted and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Top with the pickled onions and radishes. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

GRILLED CHEESE WITH PULLED SHORT RIBS AND PICKLED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• For the sachet:
• For the sachet, wrap the parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a small amount of cheesecloth and tie with butcher's twine.
• For pulled short ribs:
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Beginning with a large saucepan or braising pan with a lid, heat the tablespoon of grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Sear the short ribs on either side until caramelized and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the meat from the pan. Add the carrot and celery to the pan and cook for 5 minutes over the same heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook together until caramelized, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as needed. Add the short ribs back to the pan and deglaze with the red wine. Add the sachet and, stirring from time to time, allow the wine to reduce until almost evaporated, about 6 minutes. Pour in the beef broth and bring the braise up to a boil. Put the lid on and place in the oven for 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
• After the first 2 hours of cooking time, remove the lid. For the next hour, baste the short ribs every 15 minutes, leaving the lid off. Cook for an additional hour, until very tender, for a total of 4 hours cooking time.
• Pull the short ribs from the oven and allow them to cool in the braising juices for at least a few hours. Carefully transfer the meat to a plate and strain the juices through a fine sieve, then allow the fat to rise. Remove the fat. Using a dinner fork in each hand, lightly shred the meat along the natural grains in a pulling motion from the center outward, and set aside.
• To prepare each sandwich, begin by preheating the oven to 350°F.
• Take 2 slices of bread. On the bottom slice, place a layer of cheese (you'll want approximately 1 1/2 ounces for each sandwich, just enough to cover the bread to the edges), then top with 1 teaspoon of pickled red onion, spread to the sides. Place 1/4 cup of the pulled short ribs on top, add another layer of cheese, and top with the second slice of bread. Brush each completed sandwich on top and bottom with 1/2 teaspoon butter.
• In a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, add 1 teaspoon of the grapeseed oil and allow it to get nice and hot. Place 2 sandwiches in at a time and flip so they will absorb the oil on both sides. Weight them down with a small sauté pan. After 1 minute, flip the sandwiches, return the weight, and place directly in the oven.
• After 2 minutes, remove the weight. Flip the sandwich one final time, and cook for 1 final minute. Pull from the oven, slice diagonally, and serve immediately. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.

GRILLED HEARTS OF ROMAINE WITH BLUE CHEESE VINAIGRETTE AND PICKLED ONIONS

Steps:

• For onions:
• Combine first 5 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Add onions and stir to blend; return to simmer and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Season with freshly ground black pepper and more salt, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
• For salad:
• Prepare barbecue (medium- high heat). Combine vinegar and mustard in bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese.
• Brush cut sides of romaine with olive oil, then sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Grill until cut sides are lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
• Divide grilled romaine among plates. Top with vinaigrette, pickled onions, and blue cheese.

SHORT RIB GRILLED CHEESE WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS AND CREMA

Steps:

• For the short ribs: Stir short ribs, soy sauce, mirin, garlic powder, garlic, thyme and 4 cups cold water together in a pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and cover. Cook until the meat is very tender, about 4 hours.
• Strain the short ribs from the liquid and put the meat in a mixing bowl. Before it cools, grab tongs and shred it. Return the meat to the liquid.
• For the pickled red onions: Meanwhile, combine vinegar, salt, sugar and 3 cups water in a pot over high heat. Put onions in a heat-safe container. Once the pickling liquid comes to a rolling boil, turn off the heat and pour it over the onions. Make sure you use a container that will cover the red onions completely with the liquid; weigh down the onions with a plate if necessary. Let it sit at room temp so the color bleeds out from the red onions, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate. (Pickled onions can be used as soon as they are cold, but they are best after at least 3 days.)
• For the purgatory crema: Combine sour cream, lemon and lime juices, mirin and vinegar in a mixing bowl and whisk thoroughly until smooth.
• For the grilled cheese: Preheat a toaster oven or regular oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread purgatory crema on both sides of the slices of bread, then put down mozzarella on one side and Cheddar on the other. Bake until the cheese melts. Meanwhile, heat a saute pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the short rib and some pickled red onions to the bread and sandwich them together. Add a bit of oil to the pan, then put the sandwich in the pan. Grill until crispy golden brown on both sides. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

GRILLED CHEESE AND SHORT RIB SANDWICHES WITH PICKLED CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• For short ribs:
• Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. Melt butter in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, cook beef until browned, about 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to large rimmed baking sheet. Add celery, carrots, and onion to pot and sauté until beginning to soften and brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add wine, broth, Sherry, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme sprig; bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Season with salt and pepper. Return ribs to pot, propping up on sides and arranging in single layer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour.
• Using tongs, turn ribs over in pot. Cover and simmer until ribs are tender and sauce is very thick, occasionally rearranging ribs in pot to prevent sticking, about 1 1/2 hours longer. Uncover and cool 30 minutes. Transfer ribs to work surface. Discard bay leaves and thyme sprig. Spoon off fat from sauce in pot. Remove meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into 3/4 -to 1-inch pieces, trimming any fat. Return meat to pot. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill until cold; cover and keep chilled. Rewarm just until lukewarm before using.
• Pickled caramelized onions:
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar and cook until almost all vinegar is absorbed, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl; cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Microwave in 15-second intervals until lukewarm before using.
• For assembly:
• Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with waxed paper. Butter 8 bread slices; place 4 slices, buttered side down, on each prepared sheet. Divide short rib mixture among bread slices, about 1/2 cup for each. Divide cheese among sandwiches. Spoon about 1/4 cup onions over each sandwich. Place large handful of arugula atop onions. Top with remaining 8 bread slices. Spread bread with butter. DO AHEAD: Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
• Heat griddle or 2 large skillets over medium heat. Working in batches, cook sandwiches until bread is golden brown and cheese melts, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to work surface. Cut each in half on diagonal. Transfer to plates and serve.

PICKLED BEET AND ENDIVE SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• To prepare the vinaigrette: Place the shallots and sherry wine vinegar in a small bowl and slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To prepare the beets: Peel the beets and place in a small saucepan with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain the beets and cool slightly. Julienne the beets and place them in a medium bowl with the pickling juice for 2 hours. Drain, discarding the pickling juice. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To prepare the salad: In a large bowl, toss the endive, pear, goat cheese, and walnuts with the remaining vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the salad in the center of a large platter and top with the beets. Top with freshly ground black pepper.

BEEF AND GOAT CHEESE EMPANADA WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER SAUCE AND PICKLED RED ONION

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Scatter the lard and butter over the top and pulse a few times until it resembles coarse meal.
• Whisk together the egg yolk, water, and vinegar in a measuring cup. Add the mixture to the dough, pulsing until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and gently knead until it just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours. Roll out thinly. Cut into 4-inch circles.
• For the short ribs: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil over high heat in a Dutch oven until it begins to shimmer. Season the short ribs on both sides with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a plate.
• Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan, add the garlic, and cook until it is lightly golden brown. Add the wine and cook until almost completely reduced. Add the currant juice, chicken stock (enough to cover the ribs by three-quarters), and chiles and bring to a boil. Add the ribs, cover, and transfer to the oven. Cook until fork tender, about 2 hours. Remove the short ribs to a platter or bowl and tent with foil.
• Transfer the cooking liquid to a food processor and process until smooth. Strain into a large saute pan and cook until reduced by half. Remove the meat from the bone, shred, and add to the reduced cooking liquid. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
• Add enough canola oil to fill a Dutch oven three-quarters of the way. Heat to 375 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer.
• Fill each dough round with some meat, top with some goat cheese and pickled onions. Seal the edges with a little water and crimp with a fork. Fry, turning halfway through, until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with Piquillo Pepper Sauce.
• For the dough: Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Scatter the lard and butter over the top and pulse a few times until it resembles coarse meal.
• Whisk together the egg yolk, water, and vinegar in a measuring cup. Add the mixture to the dough, pulsing until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a work surface and gently knead until it just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours. Roll out thinly. Cut into 4-inch circles.
• For the short ribs: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the oil over high heat in a Dutch oven until it begins to shimmer. Season the short ribs on both sides with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a plate.
• Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan, add the garlic, and cook until it is lightly golden brown. Add the wine and cook until almost completely reduced. Add the currant juice, chicken stock (enough to cover the ribs by three-quarters), and chiles and bring to a boil. Add the ribs, cover, and transfer to the oven. Cook until fork tender, about 2 hours. Remove the short ribs to a platter or bowl and tent with foil.
• Transfer the cooking liquid to a food processor and process until smooth. Strain into a large saute pan and cook until reduced by half. Remove the meat from the bone, shred, and add to the reduced cooking liquid. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
• Add enough canola oil to fill a Dutch oven three-quarters of the way. Heat to 375 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer.
• Fill each dough round with some meat, top with some goat cheese and pickled onions. Seal the edges with a little water and crimp with a fork. Fry, turning halfway through, until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with Piquillo Pepper Sauce.
• Bring the vinegar, lime juice, water, sugar, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Put the onions in a medium bowl, pour the vinegar over, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours before serving.
• Bring the vinegar, lime juice, water, sugar, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Put the onions in a medium bowl, pour the vinegar over, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 48 hours before serving.

OPEN-FACE CORNED BEEF AND CHEESE SANDWICHES WITH PICKLED ONIONS

Steps:

• Combine onion, vinegar, water, sugar and red pepper flakes in a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Heat broiler; drain onions.
• Spread thin layers of mayonnaise and mustard on bread slices; top with a portion of drained onions; top with corned beef and cheese.
• Broil 6-8 inches from heat until sandwiches are heated through and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

PICKLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Rinse the feta cheese, and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into half-inch cubes. In a 1 pint glass jar, place a layer of cheese cubes, followed by a layer of thyme. Repeat layers until the jar is nearly full. Whisk together the white wine vinegar and honey; pour over the cheese until the jar is full. Screw the lid on, and leave in the refrigerator to marinate for at least one day.

WHIPPED CHEESE ENDIVE SPEARS WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND PICKLED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Put the jalapenos in a small bowl. Heat the vinegar, sugar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour the liquid over the jalapenos and refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lay the prosciutto on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake until a few shades darker and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain (they will crisp more as they cool).
• Separate the endives into leaves, keeping 16 nicely-sized leaves (discard the remaining or reserve for another use).
• Beat together the goat cheese, cream cheese, parsley, chives, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a separate bowl.
• With a spoon, dollop the cheese mixture onto the endive leaves, leaving the base of the stem bare so that they can be picked up easily. Break the prosciutto into small pieces and put a piece on each endive. Put a pickled pepper on each and arrange decoratively on a platter.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SANDWICH WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE AND PICKLED RED ONION

Steps:

• Arrange racks in middle and upper thirds of oven; preheat to 450°F. Cut squash in half crosswise where the neck and body meet. Peel and seed. Slice neck lengthwise into 1/4"-thick planks (about 2 1/2" long). Slice body into 1/4" pieces.
• Divide squash, oil, thyme, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Toss to combine, then arrange in a single layer. Bake, tossing once halfway through and rotating trays, until squash is tender, 18-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring vinegar, sugar, remaining 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, then stir in onion. Let cool.
• Whisk mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl. Remove thyme leaves from stems, then finely chop leaves and garlic. Stir into mayonnaise mixture.
• Slice rolls in half and toast in oven 5 minutes. Spread 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise mixture on bottom halves. Top each with squash, cheese, 1 1/2 Tbsp. pickled red onion, and arugula. Serve with chips alongside, if using.
• Do Ahead
• Squash can be roasted 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Onions can be made 1 month ahead; cover and chill.

BUTTER LETTUCE SALAD WITH PICKLED GRAPES, TOASTED PECANS AND SOFT GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Add mustard and lemon juice to measuring cup containing brine leftover from making pickled grapes (recipe above), and whisk to combine. Add olive oil, whisk again to thoroughly emulsify, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Strain pickled grapes, reserving brine. Halve 1 cup grapes, return remaining brine and grapes to container, and reserve for another use. Divide lettuce among six bowls or plates, and scatter some halved grapes, pecans cheese over each portion. Whisk vinaigrette again and drizzle over salad. Grind pepper over each salad and serve.

PICKLED PEARS & CHEESE PLATTER

Steps:

• Put the vinegar, sugar and spices into a large saucepan with 500ml of water. Heat gently to melt the sugar. Meanwhile, peel the pears, halve, then scoop out the core with a teaspoon or melon-baller. Add the pears to the pan, they should be just about covered with the liquid, then bring to a simmer for 25-30 mins. Test the pears with a tip of a knife - they should be just tender. Lift out with a slotted spoon and put into a large Kilner jar or a few smaller ones. Boil the liquid down to about 600ml, then pour over the pears to cover. Seal and store in the fridge for up to a week, before serving.
• On Christmas Day, remove the pears from the fridge so they come up to room temperature. To serve, thickly slice and toast the bread and slice the cheese into thin wedges. Lift the pears from the jar and layer up with the cheese on a large platter or board, then scatter with some leaves. Serve with the bread.

ENDIVE AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH PICKLED ONIONS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Place onions in large resealable plastic bag. Add vinegar, 1 1/2 cups water, sugar and salt. Seal bag; shake until sugar dissolves. Chill onions in marinade at least 1 day and up to 3 days, turning often.
• Place cheese in medium bowl. Pour oil over cheese; let stand at room temperature 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Place endive in very large bowl. Add lemon juice; toss. Add arugula, cheese-oil mixture and dried cranberries; toss. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to platter; top with some drained pickled onions. Pass remaining onions in marinade.

PICKLED WATERMELON AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Make the dressing: vigorously whisk together honey, vinegar, olive oil, shallot, coriander, lime juice, and honey. Taste, and season with salt and pepper as desired. Pour over cubed watermelon in a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. 2. Lightly salt cucumber slices and place in a strainer over a large bowl. Let sit for 20 minutes, then wipe dry. 3. To assemble salad, place watermelon cubes on each of 4 plates, then top with slightly curled slices of cucumber. Dot each plate with 1 oz. goat cheese, then sprinkle with fresh black pepper.

PICKLED PINEAPPLE & SRIRACHA GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring all the pineapple pickle ingredients to the boil with 100ml water. Add the pineapple chunks and toss in the pickle. Allow to cool, then transfer to a bowl, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 mins.
• Spread the sourdough slices with mayonnaise on one side. Put half the butter and the rapeseed oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. When the butter has melted, put one slice of bread in the pan, mayo-side down, and top with a slice of cheddar, some spring onion and pickled pineapple, and more cheese and sriracha, to taste. Top with the other piece of bread, mayo-side up.
• Cook for about 3 mins or until crispy and golden underneath, then turn the sandwich over and add the rest of the butter. Cook until crisp and golden on that side, and the cheddar is melting. Slice in half and serve immediately.

NOT-CLASSIC WEDGE WITH PICKLED PEPPER OLIVE RELISH AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, salt, sugar and peppers in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring, just until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool. Drain the peppers with a slotted spoon and transfer to a medium bowl, reserving the pickling liquid. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon lardons in a large skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon.
• Add the bacon to the bowl with the pickled peppers, then stir in the blue cheese and olives. Lightly dress with olive oil and reserved pickling liquid to taste.
• Spoon half of the pepper relish onto a serving platter. Top with the iceberg. Spoon the remaining relish on top of the lettuce. Serve!

PICKLED HOT CHERRY PEPPERS OVER CHEESE

Steps:

• Place Burrata in a dish, and break open with a spoon. Top with pickled hot cherry peppers. Drizzle with pickling liquid from jar and oil. Season with fleur de sel and pepper.

RADICCHIO SALAD WITH PICKLED GRAPES AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, sugar, star anise, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1/4 cup water in a medium bowl or glass jar; stir (or cover and shake) until sugar and salt dissolve. Add grapes and let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
• Toss radicchio in a large bowl with oil, 3 tablespoons strained pickling liquid, and remaining 1 tablespoon orange juice; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter and scatter drained pickled grapes, almonds, and goat cheese over top.
• Grapes can be pickled 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

PICKLED CHEESE OR NAKLÁDANÝ HERMELÍN

Steps:

• Basically I slice each piece of cheese into three rounds. I then start with a large enough pickle jar to place the rounds in. I pour a small amount of oil in the bottom along with a tiny bit of each herb (onions and garlic as you like). Then place your first piece of cheese and continue with the oil and herbs in between each piece of cheese. It is important not to go overboard with the herbs. I personally find it unpleasant when eating a nice gooey cheese with a hard bit of rosemary. Once you have all your cheese in make sure that the oil is just covering the top piece. Put the lid on and stick in the fridge for at least 5 days.