Cheese is incredibly versatile and, of course, delicious making it the perfect product to pair with a wide range of foods. We have put together a number of easy-to-follow recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, appetisers, dinner and dessert that are complemented by some of our favourite dairy and vegan cheeses. Simple Breakfast Recipes Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day and what better way to kick-start the morning, than with a hit of protein. Let’s start with ricotta as it’s great on sourdough toast and pairs wonderfully with breakfast spreads like peanut butter or raspberry jam. If you’re looking to try something a little more gourmet, we suggest heating butter, grated ginger, orange zest and sultanas in a pan, and then drizzling on top of the ricotta. Mozzarella is great in omelettes because of its soft texture and mild taste. If you haven’t tried this already, we suggest making a Caprese omelette by adding cherry tomatoes and pesto, and finishing with a fresh basil garnish. If you prefer an omelette that has a rich flavour, we promise you'll love one filled with camembert and smoked salmon. Easy Lunch Ideas Just like breakfast and dinner, what you crave for lunch can vary depending on your mood. Whether you’re leaning towards a light meal or something slightly more indulgent these recipe ideas have you covered. Nothing beats a grilled cheese sandwich, especially one made with your choice of vegan or dairy cheddar. Spread a little vegan or dairy butter on each side of your bread, then add sliced gherkins and chopped dill. If you are someone who likes to double-up on cheese, then don’t hesitate to include grated parmesan. One of the more versatile cheeses, ricotta, is not only a perfect addition to sweet recipes but savoury too. Smooth ricotta pancakes are easy to make and can be paired with a fresh summer salad. Simply follow these step-by-step instructions: Whisk together 1 cup of ricotta and 1 egg Add and whisk 1 1/3 cups of milk and 1 1/4 cups of flour Remove any excess liquid from 1 medium, coarsely grated zucchini Add it to the pancake mix along with finely chopped mint and parmesan Smear a little butter on a non-stick frying pan and begin frying the pancake batter If you enjoy making quick-and-easy salads for lunch, we have just the recipe for you. Start by combining chopped red cabbage, shallots and green pear. Finish with crushed walnuts and blue cheese, and drizzle on your choice of salad dressing. Appetisers & Grazing Platters An evening with appetisers and grazing platters isn't complete without a variety of cheeses. Something as easy as baby bocconcini skewers with whole cherry tomatoes and basil leaves or goat cheese-stuffed green olives would be simple crowd-pleasers. Vegan feta, grilled mushroom and green olive skewers are a great alternative if your guests have varying dietary requirements. Burrata cheese, made from mozzarella and cream, is incredibly popular. Simply add it to a bruschetta made from sourdough, and combine it with some roasted pumpkin and rocket. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting items for your platter. Get started with some bright, seasonal fruit and vegetables, crackers, olives, salami, dips and, of course, a selection of dairy or vegan cheeses. Dinner Ideas Baby Bocconcini is a fantastic addition to traditional meatballs, creating a gooey, cheesy centre. Combine beef mince, onion powder, garlic powder, 1 egg and parmesan. Roll this meatball mix into balls and then press the baby bocconcini into the centre of each ball. Enjoy with a classic Napoli sauce and fresh spaghetti. We love homemade pizzas because the topping possibilities are endless. Whatever you decide, make sure to start with a quality pizza base, followed by a layer of mozzarella, your choice of toppings and then a final layer of mozzarella, parmesan and your choice of cheddar. Yes, that’s right, three kinds of cheese! You won't be disappointed. If you’re just looking for a quick dish to serve on the side, roast some potatoes with fresh rosemary until golden and crispy. Then dot with goat cheese while the potatoes are piping hot. Cheese Dessert Recipes It may be considered a savoury product, but cheese can be as crucial as sugar when it comes to dessert. We have selected two of the most popular cheese desserts that are sure to please even the most discerning guests. Nothing says cheese dessert more than oozing, hot, baked brie or camembert. Mix raspberry jam, walnuts and pistachios together so that the nuts become coated in jam and then place on top of the brie or camembert. When baking the cheese, the trick is not to over-cook it. Simply watch as the edges begin to collapse. If you are stressed for time and looking for a delicious cheese-based dessert that doesn’t take long to prepare, give the Brunetti DIY cannoli kit a try. It comes with everything you need to whip up a spread of fresh Sicilian cannoli with a ricotta filling – including the icing sugar and crushed pistachios. Recipes made easy All the ingredients you need to make these quick-and-easy cheese recipes are available on iPantry for next day delivery. Simply order before 2pm the day before.
