Posts Tagged ‘Goat Cheese’

Summer Cheeses

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

For reasons unknown, cheese seems to be an afterthought or merely a garnish ingredient in summer cooking. For most, the summer diet is centered on the almighty grill and the fresh flavors of colorful fruits and vegetables. However, just because the weather is warming up doesn’t mean you have to stop eating cheese.

Two of the most versatile – not to mention delicious – summertime cheeses are Chevre and Brie. Both are ideal for warm weather eating!

 

1. Chevre

This slightly salty and fresh tasting cheese with a rich texture tastes great with mixed vegetables, crunchy greens, and sweet, citrus fruits. The tangy acidity pairs well with white wines such as, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. (Cobb Salad with Goat Cheese and Vinaigrette pictured.)

2. Brie

The fresh milky note and remarkably creamy texture of this cheese tastes delicious on its own and can also be enjoyed in several ways. Served with fruit compote, light summer pasta, or on top a grilled burger, this cheese will enhance any flavor profile. (Exotic Lamb Burger with Herbed Brie pictured.)

No Meat This Friday? Cheese to The Rescue!

Monday, March 25th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re like many people who choose not to eat Meat on Fridays leading up to Easter Sunday, we have some magnificent meatless dishes featuring Ile de France Cheese for you to try.

 

Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party or a casual get-together, our Gourmet Goat
Cheeseballs are easy to make, flavorful and look fabulous when presented on cute serving trays. For a meatless entrée, make our Squash & Fol Epi Cheese Casserole that is sure to have your guests going for seconds!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our salads with cheese recipes feature many great meatless options, too!

Wine Pairing Wednesday!

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week’s cheese pairing recommendation is from wok star and fellow cheese lover, Eleanor Hoh (@wokstar):

“As a wok cooking teacher and Wok Star , I’m always finding new foods to cook in my wok! My husband and I like to experiment with new ways to make omelets interesting and there’s nothing better than adding cheese. Cheese gives omelets another flavor dimension and oompf! Two of our favorites are soft or hard goat cheese and ones that melt like Emmental. This is probably sacrilegious to the French but we slather chili sauce all over our cheese omelets, yum. We like to pair Asian foods with Champagne, Francois Montand sparkling wine because it’s light and not too sweet. When I serve this pairing in my Wok Workshops, people always enjoy it. I also like Vouvray wine, again not too sweet to overwhelm my dishes.”

Be sure to check out our previous wine & cheese suggestions from previous featured followers!

Have a favorite wine pairing? Tell us why you love to savor it! Contact us on TwitterFacebook or in an email to emilie@iledefrancecheese.com – we’d love to feature you and your favorite wine pairing!

Perfect Holiday Party Treat!

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever tried Almond and Goat Cheese Candy Bar? At first glance, the scrumptious candy bar (photo from Seattle Times website) pretty much looks like an almond chocolate candy bar but the addition of Goat cheese packs a flavorful punch. Found on the Mercury News website, we dare you to try making this yummy Almond & Goat Cheese Candy Bar recipe using the rich & tangy flavor of our Ile de France Goat Cheese; it makes for the perfect holiday treat your loved ones will certainly enjoy!

Enjoy Thanksgiving With Our Cheesy Stuffing!

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

Are you still trying to find that perfect stuffing recipe that will blow your loved ones away at Thanksgiving dinner? We recommend taking the sophisticated Mediterranean route with our Fennel, Olive and Sausage Stuffing with Creamy Goat Cheese recipe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And since it’s always nice to have options, check out these other deliciously creamy stuffing recipes (Caramelized Apple, Pecan & Roquefort Stuffing, Vidalia Apple-Sausage Stuffing with Fol Epi, or Artisanal Herbed Olive Stuffing with Etorki) that certainly won’t disappoint on Turkey Day. We always think it is our creamy cheeses that make the difference. Enjoy!

Words of A Cheese Lover

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Food for thought! Did you know that goat’s milk cheese, which we now call “chèvre,” was considered the “poor man’s cheese?” According to Nancy Carr, those who couldn’t afford cows, or did not have open grazing land, could often raise goats instead and make goat cheese. This was taken from Nancy Carr’s article on the Auburn Pub that spoke of her passion for cheese and how she likes to enjoy it during the fall season!

Happy National Cheese Day!

Monday, June 4th, 2012

Today is National Cheese Day! The perfect day to eat, cook with or discuss your favorite cheeses! To celebrate National Cheese Day the right way check out some of our best recipes featuring different fromages!

-       Provencal vegetable grill with toasted Goat cheese nut rounds

-       Brie and Cherry Kolaches        

-       Batter-Coated Camembert Cheese Loaves

-       Glazed Fruited Winter Squash with St. Andre Cheese

-       Ile de France Roquefort and Apples Lasagna         

-       Oranges with Balsamic Caramel and St Agur

What cheese are YOU having today?

Video recipe: Goat Cheese and Pen Seared Foil Gras Sandwich

Friday, May 18th, 2012

There’s no reason to serve a boring sandwich at your next dinner party – simply adding some gourmet cheese can take a simple sandwich recipe to a whole new culinary level. Don’t believe? Check out our amazingly delicious Sandwich with Goat cheese, Fois Gras and Raspberry Sauce recipe prepared by Jerome Cormouls at Provence Grill, Miami, Florida. Click on any picture to watch the video!

To make this gourmet sandwich you need:

a loaf of walnut bread,

a raw duck foie gras,

a raspberry sauce or jam,

delicious goat cheese, of course,

mache salad, pepper blend and salt seasoning, a few fresh berries, fig vinegar and virgin olive oil.

Start out by cutting 2 slices (1/2 inch) out of the loaf and toast them.

After that in a medium non-stick pan over high heat, sear the foie gras 40 seconds each side. Reserve them on a plate with paper towel, season with salt and pepper.

Spread one slice of toasted bread with goat cheese, the other one with the raspberry sauce.

Then add the foie gras and close the sandwich.

Serve the sandwich on a plate with the garnish salad with fresh berries.

Note: As you prepare your salad, keep the sandwich in the oven to serve it warm.

Bon appétit!

Fruit and Cheese Symphony

Friday, April 27th, 2012

The season of cool, natural and light snacks is upon us. Nothing could be better than the gourmet combination of ripe, sweet fruits with cheese on a spring sunny day!

“Pair cheese and fruit for a healthy snack or easy appetizer when entertaining!” says cheese lover Nadia Muna Gil in her Cheesaholics Anonymous blog. “The salt in the cheese” – she continues -  “is balanced by the sweet in the fruit, and the crunch of the fruit contrasts the suppleness of the cheese. In short, your salivary glands will think they died and went to heaven.”

We couldn’t agree more!

What is your favorite fruit and cheese pairing? If you still need some delicious inspiration check out our  amazingly delightful pairing ideas for your seasonal savoring:

Berries and Brie;

Black Corinth grapes with St. Agur;

Cherries with Charles Arnaud Comté;

Melon with Goat Cheese;

Papaya with Cantorel Roquefort

Happy National Cheese Ball Day!

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Did you know today is National Cheese ball Day! Cheese balls are the perfect item to serve as a snack or appetizer at any party! They can be prepared in just a few minutes as a snack or whenever an unexpected guest drops in.

Gourmet cheese balls can be made with softened cheese decorated with nuts, spices and herbs. This type of cheese ball is usually served as a dip.

So let’s celebrate Cheese Ball Day by making these delightfully gourmet and simple cheese balls and sharing them with family or friends! Serve with crackers, crusty bread and veggie sticks!

- Chicken & Goat Cheese Ball;

-Chèvre Mini Boules.