Erin Go Bragh!

Beer and Cheese - BeerAdvocate

May your feet never sweat.
Your neighbor give you ne're a treat.
When flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze.
And may you always have someone to squeeze.
                                 Irish blessing

We're all Irish on St Patrick's Day!
Ham and Cabbage,  Green beer and ofcourse Irish Cheese!  Some are a challenge to find but you should if you can. We've put together a plate of favorites.

St. Tola a mellow goat to start. Followed by Coolea an award winning cows milk, gouda style cheese which is mild and creamy which melts in your mouth. Ofcourse most if us know Dubliner, made from cows milk and aged 12 months with a sweet, nutty flavor that finishs with a bite similar to parmesan. Next is a favorite blue, Cashel Blue. Irelands first farmstead blue. Cows milk, this creamy mild blue is always a hit even to those who dont go for most blue cheeses. And finally we finish with a exciting washed rind cows milk, Adrahan, it has a pungent yet delicate flavor.

An interesting sidenote, the Burns Family also produces Adrahan Lullaby Milk. For my insomnia ridden friends, this milk is created in the animals sleep and collected in the morning, it contains higher levels of melatonin naturally.

HAPPY ST PADDYS DAY!

Cheese of the Week: Etorki

Etorki Sheep milk, French Basque Cheese, Pressed Cheese

We are very in love with sheeps milk cheeses and Etorki is at the top of the list. Because of the high fat content in sheeps milk, your guaranteed a rich cheese. Etorki is a semi soft French Basque cheese that melts in your mouth.

The Tasting

This past. Friday we held our second tasting at Yolandes Bistro and Creperie, New Havens new dining jewel who features authentic French cuisine and an inspiring libation selection in a warm relaxing atmosphere. With Yolandes help we paired eight to die for cheeses with wine, beer and even cider! The cheeses we featured included some favorites such as Delice de Bourgogne, Cambozola Black Label paired with Angry Orchard Cider and Chinon Rose. The accompaniments also stole the show with Etorki with hazelnuts and Valdeon with sweet caramel sauce. Picking simple, pure pairings that intensify but not dampen the cheese flavor can be a challenge but we definitely hit the mark. Thanks to those who came!

Cheese. .a lot like love

People often ask me "Why Cheese"?  For me it was a natural progression, I've spent most of my adult life in food service. From culinary school to fine dining service I've done it all. I love people and I love cheese. Everything about cheese is a labour of love. From the care of the animals to the hands of the cheesemakers it is an unparalleled creative industry that never stops growing.

So with Valentine's Day upon us I can think of nothing that says romance like cheese.  Thats why I had to have my monthly tasting then. So theres no cheese I don't find sexy but here's two offerings that definitely deliver.

Delice de Bourgogne. This french, triple cream is sin itself. Cows milk with a m ushroomy rind and a rich, buttery flavor.

Pont l' Eveque. Also from France this cows milk is savory and rich like love should be. Creamy and grassy with fruity undertones and a washed rind that delivers a full bodied delight.