September 28, 2005
Cheese Course
I have a new piece appearing today on NPR's weekly Kitchen Window column: this one is all about putting together a cheese platter, how to serve it and what to enjoy it with.
And on the picture above, you will recognize -- from left to right -- an ash-coated goat cheese from the Deux-Sèvres, a Pont-l'Evêque from Normandy, and a Perail des Cabasses, a sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron. (See bigger pic here.)
(Previous contributions to Kitchen Window:
- Fresh Herb Muffins
- Cherry Soup with Hazelnut Rosemary Tuiles
- Artichoke and Goat Cheese Mille-feuille,
- Asparagus Confit with Almonds and Rosemary,
- Chocolate and Candied Ginger Tartlets.)
More Entries Like This One:
~ Cheese Thins
~ Aged Gouda and Dried Pear Scones
~ Goat's Milk Faisselle with Chives
~ Corsican Cheesecake
~ Strawberry Basil Pesto
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Comments (18)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Cheese & Dairy
Those little fruits in the picture beside the grapes; what are they? I've only ever seen them a few times and have been wondering what they are.
Posted by Jen on September 28, 2005 2:09 PMJen - they're figs.
Posted by naomi on September 28, 2005 2:15 PMNothing is better than a big plate of cheese and a bottle of very good wine...
Posted by Elvira on September 28, 2005 2:29 PMJen - Yes, they're small black figs, and these particular ones come from Solliès in the South of France.
Posted by clotilde on September 28, 2005 2:37 PMMmm, Pont-L'Evêque. *drools on keyboard*
Posted by Laura on September 28, 2005 3:17 PMThose figs are delicious, I've not been able to find them in the States anywhere. Clotilde, while you lived on the west coast, did you come across them? The goat cheese pictured above is one of my favorites!!
Posted by radish on September 28, 2005 4:06 PMI can't imagine drizzling honey on reblechon. Do you do that often? When I lived in Thônes, I stayed for a bit with a family who made reblechon. The smell left something to be desired, but oh my did we eat well!
Posted by Christy on September 28, 2005 4:50 PMI am so glad for this essay. A wonderful new cheese shop opened here in town (Santa Cruz, California), and I hadn't the first idea how to put together a cheese course--but they've got the goods. Shallot confit sounds fabulous.
Is it possible to see an enlarged version of the photograph on the essay?
Thanks for this post. It's so helpful.
Posted by Tana on September 28, 2005 7:25 PMYippee! Cheese remains one of my culinary hurdles. I really like it, and know that there is so much to know, but I know nothing. Well until now! I even printed the article. Merci beaucoup!
Posted by Alisa on September 28, 2005 8:12 PMWhat a beautiful spread! The French really really know how to live!
Posted by audrey on September 29, 2005 1:03 AMOh, my heart truly does beat faster when I see a good cheese platter. Especially cheeses from France. I did a post this week about dining with my favorite family. Francoise is French, and she always casually lays out the most gorgeous cheeses. The light was right, and I happened to capture the taste of that cheese in the photo.
Clotilde--you always inspire me.
Posted by shauna on September 29, 2005 3:09 AMMy favourite part of the meal. Gorgeous cheeses Clotilde.
Posted by Barbara on September 29, 2005 3:27 AMI am new to this blog......how interesting it is and fun to read the comments....I used to live in Paris many years ago and still remember the wonderful small cheese shops that used to be a part of my everyday adventures. There is nothing like them!
Posted by Mary on September 29, 2005 5:49 AMas a former Northern Californian, this is my favorite piece so far - there's Nothing like good cheese, is there...
Posted by asha on September 29, 2005 3:56 PMRadish - No, I don't remember finding this type of small fig in California, but the Black Mission figs we used to buy were good too!
Christy - The most classic way to eat a Reblochon is indeed on its own or melted for a tartiflette, but honey works well too, it's a nice change and it brings out a different set of flavors. Honey works well with Camembert as well -- camembert au miel is a signature dish at a restaurant near me called Café Burq.
Tana - So glad this will come in handy as you explore that new store! I'd love to know what their selection is like. And I have uploaded a bigger version of the pic, here : http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/images/focus/cheesecourse_medium.jpg
Shauna - Beautiful pic indeed, and I love the cheeseboard! Do you know where it comes from?
Posted by clotilde on September 29, 2005 4:25 PMThank you for a very good story. I put up a post about it on Slashfood.com.
Posted by Nick Vagnoni on September 29, 2005 10:28 PMI have a question. I really like cheese, but I don't know if and when you it the "rind". Could you please explain. Thank you.
Posted by IowaSlovak on September 30, 2005 8:52 PMIt's fairly simple : if it's hard and unchewable, don't eat it. If it ain't, do !
(And I'm serious...)
Posted by Your papounet on October 1, 2005 1:26 AM