Sunday Brunch’s resident cheesemonger, Morgan McGlynn Carr shares her blue cheese pairing secrets for the festive season.
You’ve tackled the turkey, powered through the trimmings and demolished dessert… but we all know the cheeseboard is the final (and best) foodie hurdle on Christmas Day.
And with all that leftover cheese lingering in the fridge, the grazing doesn’t stop from Boxing Day. Turkey and cheese sandwiches? Melted cheese on sprouts? Crumbled on your turkey pasta? Nothing’s off the table!
This year, Morgan McGlynn Carr, owner of The Cheese Shop in Muswell Hill, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch’s resident cheese expert and World Cheese Awards judge, says that blue cheese is a Christmas non-negotiable. And she’s tipping one unexpected ingredient as the perfect pairing.
“Let’s be honest, it’s not Christmas without cheese and there’s no cheeseboard without a tangy, rich and indulgent blue,” says `Morgan. “I love a blue called Blacksticks. It’s smooth and creamy with a natural orange hue that looks incredible on your board. It packs just enough blue bite to tingle the tastebuds without overpowering anything, and it’s a dream for creative pairings.”
So, what’s the surprising ingredient? “Dark chocolate,” says Morgan. “Specifically dark chocolate with fresh figs. It sounds a bit odd, but because dark chocolate sits so close to savoury, it’s silkiness works beautifully with blue cheese. It makes the whole mouthful more indulgent and even more delicious.”
Morgan McGlynn-Carr’s top festive blue cheese pairings
1. Pear and toasted hazelnuts –softness and a sweetness that mellow the blue cheese for that perfect nutty crunch.
2. Red grapes and thyme – sweet, caramelised edges and a gentle herbiness that make the whole thing work and Blacksticks Blue cheese really comes alive.
3. Chili jam – for a glossy, warm kick that makes blue cheese taste even creamier.
4. Pickled red onion and saucisson – proper comfort with a hit of tang that lifts the whole bite - this one looks amazing, too.
5. Dark chocolate and fresh fig – one of the most indulgent ways to eat blue cheese, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!
