Which Cheeses Go With Pork?

Pork comes in many forms: pork roasts, medallions, fillets, chops and pulled pork. And many of these taste better with some cheese, whether the cheese is used to stuff pork, shredded on top of pork or added to a sauce. Cheeses that pair well with pork include blue, mozzarella, cheddar and fresh cheeses.

Blue cheese is typically made with cow's milk, but goat's milk and ewe's milk can also be used. The cheese contains blue mold, either injected or mixed in with curds for even distribution. Blue cheese has a tangy flavor and aroma and a creamy consistency, making it a good choice for sauces and mixing with other ingredients. Examples of blue cheeses include Roquefort and Gorgonzola. Try using blue cheese to stuff pork chops. Combine blue cheese, chopped pecans, chopped onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Create a pocket in the pork chop and stuff it with the combined ingredients. Blue cheese can also be used in a sauce for pork chops, combined with chicken broth or white wine, milk, flour and butter. Add green onion or garlic for additional flavor.

Mild mozzarella cheese was once made from water buffalo milk, but is now usually made with cow's milk. Some mozzarella cheese is factory-made, while some is fresh and packaged in either whey or water and labeled as "Italian style." Buffalo mozzarella is produced in the U.S. and made using a combination of cow's milk and buffalo's milk. Shred some mozzarella cheese with onion and place it on pan-fried pork chops, baking until the cheese is melted. You can also sprinkle shredded mozzarella on breaded, baked pork chops with spaghetti sauce. Bake for a few minutes and serve with pasta.

Familiar cheddar cheese has either a smooth or slightly crumbly texture, depending on its age. Cheddar is typically aged for nine to 24 months becomes more flavorful with age. This cheese is versatile as it tends to have a smooth flavor and works well with many ingredients, including pork. Try cheddar-and-apple-stuffed pork chops, using shredded cheese, grated apple, onion, sage and pepper. Or, create a mixture of breadcrumbs, rosemary and shredded cheddar cheese and place it on pork chops after browning them in the frying pan. Broil in the oven until the topping is golden.

Chevre, a fresh cheese made goat's milk, has a strong flavor and is usually quite salty. Feta and halloumi are other examples of fresh cheeses, sometimes made with goat's milk. Try making quesadillas with pulled pork, sauteed onions and peppers, and some chevre on top. Pork tenderloin medallions can be stuffed with fresh cheese and any combination of fruit, including apples and pears. Its strong flavor will be offset by the pork and the sweetness of the fruit.