The holiday season is upon us, and who doesn’t have at least one party or gathering on the calendar?
Whether hosting or bringing a snack to add to the table, knowing how to pair your crackers with the right cheeses and meats can evoke compliments and happy guests.
“The cracker is the unsung party hero. It plays a central role in the appetiser course, yet few can pair it to impress perfectly. Crackers are much like wine; if you pair them with the right meats and cheeses, the combinations can make your palate sing,” said Kellanova Chef Becca Kapela.
Chef Kapela said there were some essential pairings and more elevated pairings, depending on the crowd and budget.
For a more familiar or approachable pairing, Kapela suggested pairing a toasted buttery cracker with a bold and sharp cheese such as cheddar or extra aged gouda along with spiced and savoury meat, like peppered salami.
She noted that the cracker’s toasted notes helped round out the cheese’s sharpness, and the meat’s bold flavour complemented the cheese.
Or pair a water cracker with creamy, buttery cheese, like brie or Havarti. The creamy, fattier cheeses balance the cracker’s extra toasted notes. Adding an earthy and savoury meat, such as Varzi salami, makes the nutmeg in the meat pop.
She also shared how to pair buttery and sweet crackers with tangy and creamy cheeses like chevre or feta and lean and delicate meats like prosciutto.
“The key is to balance the sweetness in the cracker with the tartness of the cheese and add a salty note with the meat.”
Wheat crackers, another party tray favourite, pair best with nutty cheeses like gouda, manchego, gruyere, or parmesan. Adding spicy meat, like Spanish chorizo, adds a nice balance.
Kapela suggested flavoured crackers, jams, and even fish for soirees with a little more oomph. In this pairing, the tangy and fatty crème fraîche rounds out the fish’s smoky notes.
At the same time, the savoury onion from the cracker brings all the flavours together. A few drops of chilli oil will add some heat and enhance the fish’s smoked flavour.
Another excellent combination is Toasted Flatbread Sea Salt and Olive Oil crackers with burrata cheese. Burrata is solid mozzarella on the outside, and shredded mozzarella with cream on the inside is a beautiful multitexture experience.
Like mozzarella, burrata is typically served with olive oil. Toasted Flatbread Sea Salt and Olive Oil provide that deep flavour in the complex and crunchy cracker, perfect for scooping the soft, fresh cheese.
“Top with black truffle or a truffle-infused condiment to bring out the savoury notes of the cracker and the floral and fruity notes of the cheese.”
Town House Flipsides can be paired with more than cheddar or beer-flavoured cheeses and spreads. The toasted and classic pretzel flavours are strong enough to pair with parmesan cheese with apple cider jelly on top.
“Balancing the savoury flavours on typical appetiser platters with some sweet offerings elevates the eating experience and can encourage guests to venture out of their comfort zone of pairings.”
Club Sweet Hawaiian crackers bring slight sweetness and caramelised flavours to the salty cracker, along with bready notes. Club Sweet Hawaiian crackers, cheddar cheese, pork belly, and sage honey combine for a salty, savoury, and earthy taste parade.
“This elevated cheddar and ham pairing with sweet and earthy sage honey balances out the rich and sweet flavours from the cracker.”
This versatile cracker can also be paired with sweet toppings, like cream cheese and coffee-flavoured chocolate, for a Danish and coffee experience.
No matter the occasion, combining crackers, cheeses, and meats can still help make you the hit of the party.
