Made a half amount of these for early Christmas hamper gifting. It sliced easily after being overnight in the fridge and was nicely cooked after 15 minutes. It certainly carries a strong blue cheese flavor (mine was a chunk of blue with no particular pedigree) and I think it would be just as nice but a bit more subtle with a creamier blue or the orange castello. A mix of Parmesan and a creamy white cheese would work as well. Harder nuts would add a more crunchy texture as my walnuts disintegrated and were not really distinguishable in the final product. Pistachios might be nice, but expensive.....