Jazz up blue cheese sauce with a boozy ingredient

The culinary world has a love-hate relationship with blue cheese: some love its tangy flavor while others shun its strong smell. Blue cheese on its own can be overwhelming, but when paired with other aromatic ingredients, it becomes a classic sauce that even skeptics love. But it’s time to take your blue cheese sauce to the next level. How? Add bourbon.

Cheese and alcohol pair well together, but typical pairings often include wine or even beer in some German dishes. But you didn’t know that bourbon and blue cheese are a perfect duo. The smoky flavor of the bourbon complements the sharper flavor of the cheese and also adds a sweeter undertone to the fatty blue cheese sauce. This sauce already pairs well with steaks and hearty meats, and the addition of bourbon only amplifies the overall flavor palette.

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Adding Bourbon to Blue Cheese Sauce

Adding alcohol to a sauce can add extra flavor to the dish, and the bourbon in your blue cheese is no exception. Blue cheeses have a strong aroma and flavor and are often very earthy and punchy. They always pack a punch, especially when melted and incorporated into a sauce with other bold flavors like garlic and chili flakes. Blue cheese sauce can have a very strong flavor, so adding bourbon can complement the richness and creaminess with woody notes.

To incorporate bourbon into your blue cheese sauce, reduce the alcohol with other ingredients like garlic and butter before adding the cheese. By stirring the cheese once your bourbon base is off the heat, the blue cheese is fully incorporated into the sauce without it separating and clumping. Adding heavy whipping cream to your sauce will also reduce the thickness, making it easier to pour over your dish and therefore less chunky.

When it comes to choosing your ingredients, any block of blue cheese will do. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for Gorgonzola; but if you want the strongest flavor, try a Roquefort. When it comes to choosing your spirit, a beginner’s guide to the best bourbons to buy can help you find the taste you want. Different brands have signature flavors, some lighter or spicier than others that give your sauce an extra kick.

Get the Most Out of Your Bourbon Blue Cheese Sauce

There are many ways to enjoy your bourbon blue cheese dressing once you’ve made the recipe. Most suggestions call for drizzling it over a thick cut of meat like steak, but you can also use it as a substitute for a slice of cheese on a burger. You can try a homemade blue cheese dressing with added bourbon to give any side salad a tangy kick.

Another classic way to use your bourbon blue cheese sauce is as a dip. Serve it in a small dish with some vegetables as an appetizer to add a little freshness before your meal. Fire up the grill and prepare some mahogany-style grilled wings with sage blue cheese sauce for a spicy kick that’s automatically enhanced by the touch of bourbon in your sauce. You can even serve your dish with a shot of bourbon to bring out the smokiness of the drink, or make a complete bourbon-inspired meal by making a dessert that also incorporates a sweet bourbon flavor.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.