Summer inspiration: Surprising dishes with Gouda cheese

Picnic salad with aged Gouda cheese and apple

You know the drill: a big rug in the park, the rustle of grass under your feet and a cooler full of goodies. This picnic salad is a real favourite on hot days. The tangy, aged Gouda cheese makes a delicious contrast with fresh apple and crunchy nuts.

The creamy taste of the cheese makes a simple salad special overnight. Serve it in pretty glass jars or resealable containers to complete the picture. Enjoy your meal!

Ingredients (for 4 persons)

• 100 g old Gouda cheese, in thin slices or curls
• 1 firm apple (e.g. Elstar), in segments
• Handful of walnuts, toasted
• 75 g arugula and lamb's lettuce
• Honey-mustard dressing (homemade or ready-made)

Preparation

Mix the lettuce with apple, cheese and walnuts. Just before serving, drizzle with the dressing. Add some chives or cress for extra colour, if desired.

BBQ skewers with a Gouda cheese twist

Once the barbecue is lit, summer really begins. And why should skewers always be with meat? With cubes of young mature Gouda cheese you can make delicious vegetarian skewers that are just that little bit different. The cheese melts subtly and gives a full, creamy flavour.

The combination with vegetables and potatoes makes this a complete, colourful treat. Perfect for a summer evening with friends or a relaxing Sunday in the garden. Just be careful not to melt the cheese too much, or this delicacy will turn into a mess!

Ingredients (for 4 skewers)

• 150 g young mature Gouda cheese, cubed
• 8 cherry tomatoes
• 1 courgette, shaved into ribbons
• 12 boiled baby potatoes, halved
• Fresh basil

Preparation

Thread the ingredients alternately on a skewer. Brush lightly with olive oil. Grill briefly over direct heat until the cheese softens. Serve with a yoghurt dip with lemon and garlic.

Gouda cheese board for the park

Are you preparing for an afternoon in the park? Bring a cheese board with you! Three types of Gouda cheese (young, mature and old) provide variety in taste and texture. Combine them with grapes, nuts and a mustard dip and you have a stylish get-together without the cooker.

Put everything on a wooden board or serve from an old picnic basket: atmosphere guaranteed. Don't forget to bring a cool white wine or sparkling juice!

What can go on your shelf?

• Young Gouda cheese: creamy and mild
• Mature: full and round
• Old: tangy and powerful
• Fig bread or nuts
• French bread or crackers
• Mustard-dill dipping sauce
• Grapes or pieces of pear

Presentation tip: Cut the cheese into different shapes (cubes, strips, curls) for a festive effect.

Wraps with grilled vegetables and Gouda cheese

Wraps are the perfect dish on the go. And with Gouda cheese you make them just that little bit richer in flavour. The roasted vegetables give a summery bite, while the melted cheese holds everything together. These wraps are delicious both hot and cold, so ideal for a day of cycling or a lunch in the park.

Ingredients (for 4 wraps)

• 4 whole-wheat wraps
• 100 g young mature Gouda cheese, sliced
• 1 pepper, in strips
• 1 courgette, sliced
• 1 aubergine, cut into half-moons
• Pesto or hummus of your choice

Preparation

Grill the vegetables briefly until cooked and slightly caramelised. Spread the wraps with pesto or hummus, top with vegetables and cheese, roll up tightly. Cut in half diagonally.

Roasted peach with aged cheese and honey

Do you dare to cook a little off the beaten track? Then this dessert (or appetiser) is an absolute surprise. Roasted peach becomes deliciously soft and sweet, and when combined with a piece of tangy aged Gouda cheese and a touch of honey, magic is created on your plate. Who knows, maybe this Gouda surprise will make for a new favourite in your recipe book!

Ingredients (for 4 pieces)

• 2 ripe peaches, halved and stoned
• 4 slices old Gouda cheese
• Liquid honey
• Fresh thyme (optional)

Preparation

Grill the peach briefly on the BBQ or in a grill pan. Place a slice of cheese on each half and let melt for a while. Drizzle some honey on top and garnish with thyme.

Come taste the Gouda Cheese Experience

To find out which cheeses go best with your favourite summer dish, visit the Gouda Cheese Experience in the heart of the city. Learn the difference between young and old, discover cheeses with surprising flavours such as nettle or cumin, and taste for yourself which cheese will make your salad, BBQ or drinks board a success.

Fancy it? Book your tickets, immerse yourself in the world of Gouda cheese and take a delicious piece of summer home with you afterwards.