Summer Inspiration: Surprising dishes with Gouda cheese

Sultry evenings, sizzling barbecues, and long picnics in the park: summer is the season to enjoy eating outdoors with family and friends. And what truly makes a summer dish special? Exactly: real Gouda cheese.

In this blog you’ll discover how to use Gouda cheese in surprising and accessible ways for your summer moments. And of course, you can taste all these delicious flavors during a visit to the Gouda Cheese Experience!

Picnic salad with aged Gouda cheese and apple

You know the feeling: a big blanket in the park, the rustle of grass underfoot and a cooler full of goodies. This picnic salad is a true favorite on warm days. The sharp aged Gouda cheese contrasts beautifully with fresh apple and crunchy nuts.

The creamy flavor transforms a simple salad into something special. Serve it in pretty glass jars or resealable containers for the full picture. Enjoy!

Ingredients (4 serves)

• 100 g aged Gouda, thinly sliced or shaved
• 1 crisp apple (e.g., Elstar), sliced
• A handful of walnuts, toasted
• 75 g arugula and mixed greens
• Honey‑mustard dressing (homemade or store‑bought)

Instructions

1. Mix the greens with apple, cheese, and walnuts.
2. Drizzle with the dressing just before serving.
3. Optionally add chives or garden cress for extra color.

BBQ skewers with a Gouda twist

Once the barbecue is lit, summer truly arrives. And why should skewers always include meat? With cubes of young‑semi‑matured Gouda, you can create delicious vegetarian skewers that stand out. The cheese melts subtly and delivers a rich, creamy taste.

Combined with vegetables and baby potatoes, it’s a colorful treat. Perfect for a summer night with friends or a relaxed Sunday in the garden. Just be careful not to let the cheese melt too much – it could get messy!

Ingredients (makes 4 skewers)

• 150 g young‑semi‑matured Gouda cheese, cubed
• 8 cherry tomatoes
• 1 zucchini, shaved into ribbons
• 12 cooked baby potatoes, halved
• Fresh basil

Instructions

1. Thread the ingredients alternately onto skewers.
2. Brush lightly with olive oil.
3. Grill briefly over direct heat until the cheese softens.
4. Serve with a lemon‑garlic yogurt dip.

Gouda cheese board for the park

Preparing for an afternoon in the park? Bring a cheese board! Three types of Gouda (young, semi-matured, and aged) offer variety in taste and texture. Pair them with grapes, nuts, and a mustard dip for an elegant snack with no stove needed.

Arrange everything on a wooden board or serve from an old picnic basket: guaranteed ambiance. Don’t forget a chilled white wine or sparkling juice!

What to include on your board?

• Young Gouda: creamy and mild
• Semi-matured: full-bodied and round
• Aged: sharp and intense
• Fig bread or nuts
• Baguette or crackers
• Mustard‑dill dip
• Grapes or pear pieces

Presentation tip: Cut the cheeses in different shapes (cubes, strips, curls) for a festive touch.

Wraps with grilled veggies and Gouda cheese

Wraps are the perfect on-the-go meal. And with Gouda cheese you make them that bit richer. The roasted veggies add a summery bite while the melted cheese holds everything together. These wraps are delicious hot or cold—ideal for a bike day or lunch in the park.

Ingredients (makes 4 wraps)

• 4 whole‑wheat wraps
• 100 g young‑semi‑matured Gouda, in slices
• 1 bell pepper, in strips
• 1 zucchini, in slices
• 1 eggplant, in half‑moons
• Pesto or hummus of choice

Instructions

1. Grill the veggies until tender and slightly caramelized.
2. Spread wraps with pesto or hummus, top with veggies and cheese, roll tightly.
3. Slice diagonally.
   

Grilled peach with aged cheese and honey

Looking to get creative in the kitchen? This dessert (or snack) is a real surprise. Grilled peach becomes wonderfully soft and sweet, and paired with a slice of sharp aged Gouda and a drizzle of honey, magic happens on your plate. This might just become a new favorite!

Ingredients (serves 4)

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

Instructions

1. Grill the peach halves briefly on the BBQ or in a grill pan.
2. Top each half with a slice of cheese and let it melt slightly.
3. Drizzle with honey and garnish with thyme.

Come taste at the Gouda Cheese Experience

Curious which cheeses match your favorite summer dish best? Visit the Gouda Cheese Experience in the heart of town. Learn the difference between young and aged, discover surprising flavors like nettle or cumin, and taste to find which cheese makes your salad, BBQ, or cheese board shine.

Fancy it? Book your tickets, dive into the world of Gouda cheese, and take a delicious slice of summer home.