This Stinky Cheese Recipe features a stinky grilled cheese sandwich for the food adventurer! This tasty grilled cheese uses a washed rind "stinky cheese," avocado, and tomato in dark pumpernickel bread for a flavor celebration!
The husband has a theory.
He's convinced that there are two types of people in this world-- those who like blue cheese, and those who don't.
The blue cheese lovers-- these people like strong flavors, and have adventurous palates.
Blue cheese haters-- well, they don't.
He is so convinced of this that when we started dating, it was one of his first questions.
"How do you feel about blue cheese?!"
It's a good thing I like it, right!?!
Anyway — is he right?
I'm not sure, but I am sure that there are people who are willing to try any new food handed their way.
People who think, "That looks weird — give me a bite!"
If you are an adventurous eater, and love strong flavors, then this Stinky Cheese Recipe is for you!
Dig into pumpernickel bread filled with flavorful, and yet pungent, washed rind cheese, along with layers of tomato and avocado.
Looking for a milder grilled cheese? Try this brie grilled cheese, which also uses sweet jam!
What is Washed Rind (Stinky) Cheese?
To make this Stinky Grilled Cheese, first you need to get your hands on some cheese.
Specifically, some stinky washed rind cheese.
Washed rind cheeses smell strongly because of the salt-water brine they're "washed" in, and come in a range of flavors.
Learn more about stinky cheese from cheese expert Amanda at Striped Spatula.
For this grilled cheese, I usually buy a French washed rind, like Morbier, Raclette, or St Nectaire-- but a Limburger cheese might be the easiest to find!
If you're feeling extra daring, try Epoisses de Bourgogne-- a cheese with such an overwhelming odor, it's rumored to be banned from the Paris metro!
This might just be an urban legend, but you get the point-- it's stinky!
I haven't, of course, gotten my hands on every possible washed rind cheese, but each time I try this cheesy avocado concoction with a new cheese-- it's been a fantastical, odorous, flavor-palate adventure.
Once you've found the perfect cheese, grab an avocado, a tomato, a little butter, and a little sea salt. You'll also need pumpernickel bread-- you can use dark rye bread instead if you want, but I prefer pumpernickel.
Plus, you get to say "pumpernickel" while you're cooking, and who can say that without grinning?
"Pumpernickel."
See?
You're laughing already.
(Right?)
Making the Sandwich
Once you've stopped laughing, mash up half of the avocado, and spread it on a slice of bread.
Sprinkle it with some salt, and add the tomatoes.
The cheese will go on the other slice of bread, and then sandwich it all together.
Grill your sandwich in butter on medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, and dig in.
Then, go apologize to your upstairs neighbors for your smelly sandwich.
If they want to share your cheesy goodness, you know it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Can't find a washed rind cheese? This sandwich is also delicious with a sharp white cheddar.
Stinky Cheese Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter, divided
- 2 slices dark pumpernickel bread (or substitute dark rye)
- 2 ounces "stinky" washed-rind cheese (example- Limburger, St Nectaire, Raclette, or Morbier)
- ½ avocado
- 2 slices of fresh tomato
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat a small pan (non-stick or cast iron) on medium heat with half the butter.
- Prepare the bread by layering the cheese slices over one piece of bread. Smash the avocado in a bowl with a fork, and then scoop onto the other piece of bread. Sprinkle the avocado with a pinch of sea salt. Top avocado with tomato slices.
- Assemble sandwich, and set into hot pan with melted butter. Cook 3-4 minutes, and then flip. Add remaining butter. Cook sandwich another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
- Serve immediately. Sandwich pairs well with tomato soup.
Meg | Meg is Well says
This post title made me laugh out loud when I saw it in my inbox. I'm a stinky cheese lover but haven't tried any washed rind cheese and I've never heard of any of those. Can't wait to check them off my list though! I hope my grocery store has them. And asking a first date if they like blue cheese seems like a good way to start a solid relationship.
champagne-tastes says
Hehehe- glad I can keep you entertained 😉 Hey, try it with any pungent cheese lol!
(And right!?! They should add that to those 'dating question' lists hahaha)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I LOVE stinky cheese....the stinkier the better, I say 😀 Pair it with good bread and avocado and you've got a winner right there. Great post and had a little laugh...never a bad thing on Monday 😉
champagne-tastes says
Haha thanks! You'd love then!!! And Mondays need all the help they can get hehe
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
The stinkier the better! My brother once brought a cheese to Christmas dinner that smelled (and tasted) like an old shoe -- but when you had it with a sip of wine, it was ethereal! I am all about this sandwich!
champagne-tastes says
Haha that's awesome.. I'd have totally eaten that!
Suchi @elegantmeraki says
Hmm I still have to get used to a stinkier cheese like Brie. Hope I can fight my fears and be brave sometime soon!! BTW I threw a whole block of cheese my husband got from some fancy cheese shop, only later I found out that it was supposed to smell like that!!
champagne-tastes says
Noooo hahaha! And Brie isn't super stinky at all.. but yes start with that and get braver slowly hehehe
Sarah says
"Give him the high, stinky cheese!" is one of the best lines from Rookie of The Year...one of my favorite movies ever...and now every time I hear that line I'll think of this sandwich...that looks AMAZING! XO
champagne-tastes says
Hahaha.. yes!!! Now I will tooooo lol. Enjoy!!!
Platter Talk says
I love the name of your sandwich but I don't get to stink till I hit Limburger- which I love. Avocados are always good in a sandwich, as far as I'm concerned!
champagne-tastes says
Go ahead and try it with that cheese than 😉 any stinky cheese is good in my book! Lol
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
I would not get along with your husband! 😉 I love all cuisines, will try anything once - but I just don't get the blue cheese craze. I don't hate it and it doesn't gross me out, but I don't like it enough to want to spend my 'cheese calories' on it. Stinky cheeses just don't wow me!
champagne-tastes says
LOL- well that's ok! This is pretty delicious with a sharp white cheddar too 😉