Blue cheese is divisive, but it deserves a place in mashed potatoes.
Blue cheese, with its intense flavor, combines perfectly with the creaminess of mashed potatoes and adds a tangy and refreshing touch.
“these quintessential mashed potatoes have an uncommon twist. They are made with smoked butter and French imported Comté cheese.”
There's no wrong way to prepare a potato, but some methods are better than others. If potato dishes were ranked, mashed potatoes would easily be among the top choices: they're rich, comforting, and the perfect base for any side dish. Cheese is a favorite accompaniment.
Cheddar is the most common choice, but blue cheese offers more flavor. It's robust with intense veins and pairs well with chicken wings. Some have mixed opinions about its strong smell, but potatoes don't benefit from a mild cheese: the intense flavors are softened when mixed with the mashed potatoes, adding a refreshing, tangy note.
The four classic blue cheeses are Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, and Cabrales. Originating from Italy, France, England, and Spain, they pair perfectly with creamy potatoes. For something less intense, Dunbarton Blue has a mild flavor, and a triple-cream blue cheese adds extra creaminess. Today, many artisanal farms produce blue cheese, and each has its own unique charm.
Sometimes you crave a mash with a less overpowering flavor than crumbled blue cheese. When you're adding other strong flavors, a milder cheese is the best choice. Chef Suzette Gresham of Acquerello recommends creamy Comté, which complements bolder flavors. As she explained to Insider, "This classic mashed potato has a twist. It's made with smoked butter and imported French Comté cheese." The nutty flavor of the cheese enhances the smokiness of the butter.
Any cheese will work with potatoes, whether it's gorgonzola or something more subtle, and the result will be delicious, scalloped potatoes. Fluffy potatoes with butter and a rich blue cheese are hard to beat, but there's always room to experiment.
