what is a cheese course

What is a cheese course at a restaurant?

A cheese course is served as part of a meal, typically served on its own, after the main course and before dinner. Sometimes, a cheese course can be served in lieu of dessert, but that is different than the one we are talking about today. BMW and I have had the good fortune to enjoy our fair share of cheese courses.

What is the difference between a cheese course and plate?

Now, let’s get a few things straight, a cheese course is very, very different from a cheese plate or a cheese board. A cheese course is served as part of a meal, typically served on its own, after the main course and before dinner.

Can a cheese course be used as a dessert?

Sometimes, a cheese course can be served in lieu of dessert, but that is different than the one we are talking about today. BMW and I have had the good fortune to enjoy our fair share of cheese courses.

What is a cheese course like in France?

A cheese course featuring an ash-coated goat cheese, half of a Pont-l'Evèque and a Perail. Jams or confits complement many cheeses.

What is in a cheese course?

A cheese course can be as simple as one great cheese for guests to nibble on at their leisure after dinner, or it can be a carefully considered platter of selected cheeses, showcasing a variety of textures and flavors — for instance, a semisoft cheese like Camembert, a hard cheese like aged Dry Monterey Jack, and a ...

Is a cheese course a dessert?

Serving cheese at the end of a meal is a nice change from sweet desserts. This European trend of having cheese as dessert is catching on more and more every day. Any type of cheese can be served as a dessert course, but these four are especially nice at the end of the meal.

What is the purpose of the cheese course?

The idea is to ensure that everyone is served the same proportion of cheese and rind. If someone begins by cutting off the tip or “nose” of the cheese, the final guest being served would be left with the just the rind.

When should you serve the cheese course?

Traditionally during a French dinner, cheese is served after the main course and before the dessert. You may notice that restaurants will often offer on the menu a plate of cheese in or just before the dessert section.

Do you serve the cheese course before or after dessert?

The cheese course is not served at the beginning of the meal, it should be served after the entree and before dessert. If inclined, serve the cheese course with a strong, sweet port wine.

Why do the French eat cheese at the end of a meal?

An apéro is a casual social gathering where drinks and snacks are served. Cheese is eaten in moderation in France. It's quality as opposed to quantity. Eating a little high quality cheese after your main meal will allow you to feel more satisfied, resulting in eating less cheese.

What is typical on a French cheese course?

Choices include fresh cheese, soft cheese with surface mold (Brie, Camembert), soft cheese with a washed rind (Maroilles, Epoisses, Reblochon), soft cheese with a natural rind (Saint-Marcellin, most goat cheese Crottins), blue cheese (Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne), unheated pressed cheese (Cantal, Morbier) and heated ...

How do you eat a cheese course in France?

The correct way to enjoy your cheese in France is to gently place a small piece of cheese on a bite-sized morsel of the bread and then put it nicely into your mouth.

What do you eat after a cheese board?

Matzo Crackers: These would be delicious paired with some smoked salmon and cream cheese. Naan: Try using traditional plain naan or naan packed with spices and garlic. Pita Bread: Toasted up, this makes a great addition for boards with dips. Just warm it in an oven for a few minutes.

Kitchen Window

A cheese course featuring an ash-coated goat cheese, half of a Pont-l'Evèque and a Perail. Jams or confits complement many cheeses. Recipe for shallot confit is below.

About the Author

Clotilde Dusoulier is the 26-year-old Parisienne behind the popular food blog Chocolate & Zucchini. She is working on her first cookbook.

Course of Study

By the time I was in college, I had begun to reconcile with cheese, going so far as to put cubed mozzarella or cheddar on my salads, or munching cheese-topped crackers at parties.

Coming to America

In recent years, the cheese course trend has been catching on in North America as well. But here, cheese courses usually appear only at expensive French restaurants, and usually at an additional cost, whereas in France even an inexpensive prix fixe menu at a local café nearly always includes cheese, at least as an option in place of dessert.

And Other Ideas for Elegant Entertaining

Creating the Ultimate Cheese Course , and other elegant party menu ideas combining gourmet cheeses and wines is a lot of fun with endless possibilities for creativity and variations on all sorts of themes.

Some General Guidelines

For the cheese course at dinner, following the entrée, allow 1.5 oz. for each of 3 cheeses, per person.

How To Serve A Cheese Course For Dinner

How To Serve A Cheese Course For Dinner! This is typically served as a part of a long, delicious meal in France.

How To Serve A Cheese Course For Dinner

Now, let’s get a few things straight, a cheese course is very, very different from a cheese plate or a cheese board. A cheese course is served as part of a meal, typically served on its own, after the main course and before dinner.