what to do with a cheese course

Directions

• Lavender Honey drizzled over pungent Stilton or creamy Point Reyes Blue Cheese is surprisingly well-matched.
• The crumbly sweetness of biscotti with big cheeses and red wine is a wonderful flavor combination.
• Serve candied almonds or other candied nuts for an accompaniment with a sweet, salty crunch.
• The most elegant thing you can serve with a cheese course is a...

Full Answer

What is the best way to serve the cheese course?

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. Just a few sips per person will be perfect!

What is a cheese course?

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.

What do you serve with cheese for dinner?

Serve the cheese atop dried fruit for hors d'oeuvres. Add nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and you've got the crunch, sweet and creaminess of cheese for a palate-pleaser for all.

Why do people put cheese on everything?

Aside from being the ultimate comfort food, cheese is one of those universally delicious things that pairs well with pretty much anything your inner fat kid could ever imagine. A little cheese can instantly make your food a thousand times tastier, which is probably the reason I put that sh*t on everything.

Extend the dinner hour, relax with friends, and explore a range of excellent cheeses, from creamy Brie to piquant Roquefort

Imagine you’ve invited a few friends in for dinner, and you’re all gathered around the table. You’ve just finished your main course, and everyone is relaxed, sipping on the last of the wine. “If only this wonderful time could last longer,” you think. At our house, we’ve found the perfect way to do this — by serving a cheese course after dinner.

Finding and buying good cheese

Finding good cheese today is much easier than it was even ten years ago, thanks to the fantastic growth of American artisanal cheeses and better importing of European cheeses. Here are some guidelines to help you shop for cheese.

Online sources for cheese

The Cheese Store 419 N. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210 800-547-1515 www.cheesestorebh.com This popular gourmet store’s focus is on cheese, and it carries anywhere from 200 to 400 varieties at any given time.

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.

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.

Cheesy Sausage, Broccoli, and Quinoa Casserole

We traded white rice for whole-grain quinoa and kicked out any processed ingredients for a new take on this comfort classic. Freeze an extra pan of this whole-grain main for kid-friendly comfort. To add more flavor to quinoa, try toasting it.

Ham and Cheese Pizza

When a classic sandwich gets reincarnated as a cheesy pizza, rave reviews are bound to follow. Sweet, crisp Fuji apple provides a great balance to the rich, gooey cheese and savory ham, and everyone knows there's no better place to slip in some extra leafy greens than on a pizza.

Blue Cheese Mac-And-Cheese

This incredibly rich baked mac and (blue) cheese might be the one dish that even the most staunch blue cheese hater will embrace with open arms. If a side dish better suited to accompany your next steak dinner exists, we sure don’t know what it could be.

The Cheeseburger Salad

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad --a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars shine with fresh basil flavor with every pop of these savory bites.

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Creamy cheese, crisp bacon, and spicy jalapeño. What more could you want in a dip?

Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

These savory little pies taste great whether served warm or at room temperature. And you can double or triple the recipe for large gatherings. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh thyme before serving for a pretty presentation.

What to Pair With Artisan Cheese

If you're serving artisan cheese, skip the mass-produced crackers, and seek out accompaniments that were created with equal care. You can entertainment crackers or gourmet crackers, as these go well with unique cheeses and look good too, but there are also more elegant choices.

Snacks to Pair With Cheese

Artisan cracker crisps, such as Raincoast Crisps can be served with dips or a tapenade, olives such as kalamata, niçoise, picholine, gaeta, alongside mild cheeses.