There are few ingredients that can add such depth, luxury and indulgence to a dish like cheese. It’s why we can’t seem to get enough of it, whether it’s stirred into rich sauces; grated, crumbled and sprinkled over dishes or sliced and melted on top of everything from potatoes and bread to meats and savoury tarts. And with the huge number of artisan cheesemakers now thriving in the UK, we’ve never had as much choice and diversity in flavours when it comes to cooking with British cheeses.
While cheddar tends to be what many of us reach for when cooking, home cooks are missing a trick by not branching out beyond the mass-made blocks. While cheddar certainly has its place, the cornucopia of different cheeses available means there’s a whole world of flavour out there to explore. And while the likes of soft and goat’s cheese are no doubt delicious, it’s blue cheese that really stands out when cooking.
Blue cheese is generally defined by its characteristic tang, but of the hundreds of British blues now available, each has its own unique characteristics. When it comes to cooking, you want something relatively mild that melts easily with a bright, creamy quality – and Blacksticks Blue fits the bill perfectly.
Made by family-owned Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses in Lancashire, Blacksticks Blue is regarded as one of the UK’s first contemporary blue cheeses – heralding in a new dawn for the nation’s artisan cheese scene. Its mild flavour means it’s perfect for people who tend to find blue cheeses too strong, while the golden orange hue adds a beautiful colour to all sorts of dishes. While it’s perfectly delicious on a cheeseboard, it’s a fantastic ingredient when cooking – and easy to work with too. Read on for just a few ideas on how to use Blacksticks Blue and discover just how incredible it tastes.
