Ok, you’ve made it through winter and Raclette and Fondue season is over. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop cooking with cheese. Thanks to our 8 freshest spring salad recipes with cheese, you will be cheesing it up as the weather warms up.
SEE ALSO: What are the best cheeses to use when making Mac & Cheese →
Stracciatella, Beetroot & Dutch Carrots
Italian pasta filata cheeses don’t come much fresher than Stracciatella. Indeed, this soft, stretchy cow’s milk cheese is best consumed within a couple of days of being made.
As a result, it is the perfect cheese to kick off our fresh spring salad list. Our suggestion is to go for a contrast of textures here by combining the soft Stracciatella with crunchy beetroots and Dutch carrots. And how’s that for a splash of colour!
READ MORE: Find the complete recipe here →
Burrata, Blood Orange & Fennel
Speaking of Stracciatella, let’s take things up a notch with our second salad on the list: Burrata, Blood Orange & Fennel. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last 5 years, Burrata is a fresh Italian pasta filata cheese. Finding its roots in Puglia, southern Italy, this delicate cheese is made by wrapping Stracciatella in a Mozzarella skin.
Because its flavour is quite buttery and rich, you will need something zesty and a little tart to provide the perfect contrast. We love blood orange here, and fennel for a little bit of that licorice/aniseed taste.
READ MORE: Find the complete recipe here →
Bocconcini, Lettuce, Cucumber & Berry Tomatoes
Our final Italian pasta filata cheese on this list is Bocconcini. This small cow’s milk cheese is in fact a small Mozzarella. Hence, you can expect subtle, milky flavours here with a very soft, chewy texture.
You can bring out the best of Bocconcini by pairing it with crunchy, juicy berry tomatoes, crisp cos lettuce and fresh Lebanese cucumber.
Fresh Chèvre, Snow Peas & Asparagus
What is the colour we typically associate with salad? Green, of course. And it doesn’t get much greener than this snow peas, asparagus and mint salad. How do you take something this beautiful to the next level? You add cheese of course.
The best cheese for this salad is without doubt a fresh Chèvre. You can go either for a plain cheese here, or even a herbed version with dill. The lactic, goaty qualities in the young goat’s milk cheese will perfectly contrast the freshness and crunch in the green vegetables.
READ MORE: Find the complete recipe here →
Grilled Halloumi, Watermelon & Mint
We’re already half way through our list of spring salads with cheese. Let’s take a quick detour via Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea for our next salad. Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese that has been made by local farmers for generations. One unique quality with this goat’s and sheep’s milk cheese is its ability to be grilled without melting.
As a result, Halloumi is the perfect barbecue cheese. And, while you’re at it, why not chuck on some chunks of sweet, juicy watermelon. Those gorgeous char lines will bring out the sweetness of the watermelon, and pair beautifully with the savoury flavours of the cheese and Kalamata olives.
Feta, Heirloom Tomatoes & Olives
Our next stop is in Greece to discover the country’s most popular cheese, Feta. Did you know that the Greeks consume more cheese per capita than most countries on Earth? Unsurprisingly, they find a way to incorporate this classic goat/sheep’s milk cheese in just about everything that they cook.
If you can get your hands on it, buy a barrel-aged Feta and pair it with some juicy, sweet heirloom tomatoes. Finish up this colourful, tasty salad with the zest of a lime, some dill and a splash of goat curd.
Gorgonzola Piccante, Green Apple & Candied Pecans
It’s time for blue cheese baby! And let’s begin with the milder one on our list, Gorgonzola Piccante. This classic Italian blue cheese finds its roots in the mountains of Lombardia, northern Italy. For generations, local farmers have been making Gorgonzola Naturale with local cow’s milk.
Gorgonzola comes as a young, sweet version called Dolce and, our pick for this recipe, a more mature, spicier version called Piccante. The latter has a firmer texture and can be crumbled more easily. Moreover, its more robust, spicier flavour will work wonders with the sweetness of the apple, red onions and candied pecans.
READ MORE: Find the complete recipe here →
Roquefort, Pear, Walnut & Cranberries Salad
Finally, the last fresh spring salad with cheese on our list celebrates the King of French cheeses, Roquefort. This historic sheep’s milk cheese find its origins in the caves of Combalou in Aveyron.
Due to its strong, spicy aroma and flavour, Roquefort pairs beautifully with sweet treats. For this final recipe, bring out the best of this stellar cheese by adding a tart pear, candies walnuts and cranberries.
READ MORE: Find the complete recipe here →
What’s your favourite spring salad with cheese?
We hope that you enjoyed reading about our recommendations for cheesy spring salads. As you’ve seen with the recipes, the key is to balance flavours and textures.
Did your favourite spring salad with cheese make our list? Drop us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
