The Official Cheese Lover Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I have been thinking of starting this thread for a while, but the fact that we are playing Wisconsin this week makes it seem like as good a time as any to get it rolling.

I have always been a cheese lover (in spite of being slightly lactose intolerant ) but in the past year or two we have been branching out and trying more and more of the exotic/gourmet cheeses. I am still a novice by a long shot, but I thought it might be fun to see what others enjoy. Costco has a few hidden gems and it certainly is one of the cheapest places to get cheese. I like the Costco brie, goat cheese, and smoked gouda. They also have a very nice sharp cheddar (not really gourmet, but still...). They used to sell an apricot wensleydale that was awesome, but I haven't seen that for a year or so.

Our local Harmons has an excellent cheese deli (by Utah standards), but wow, some of it is amazingly expensive. I am more partial to the creamier cheeses and my current favorite is a French blue cheese. I love to eat it with dried cherries or good quality dates from Costco.

So what are some of your favorites?

[pellegrino]

I haven't met a cheese I did not like, and yes that includes salterello, which is one of the many kinds of cheeses that have live maggots in them.

Some of my favorites that go beyond the usual brie, or other widely known/available European cheeses:

Taleggio (stinky, but really good in risotto)
Stracchino (you can't have a true foccaccia al formaggio without it)
Burrata (it's a creamier/softer kind of mozzarella)

The question I have is why lactose intolerants have problems with hard cheeses. It seems like more of a psychological reaction as the lactose is essentially gone by that point.

[Katy Lied]

I've tried. I just don't like cheese that much. There are three exceptions: roqueforte cheese, and ementaller fondued with gruyere and a cup of white wine.

edit: the wine mixed in the cheese, not on the side.

[MarkGrace]

Which is the Costco brie? I hope not that crappy President.

Look for this at Costco. It's money.

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I always like this at TJ's.

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I've always really liked that Humboldt Fog. You can get that at TJs/Whole Foods/etc.

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For brie I always like the Brie de Meaux.

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For nuttier stuff I always love Manchego. The Spanish Table in Seattle has a really great selection of imported Spanish cheese. The Calf and the Kid is like heaven on earth, with a great selection of stuff. They're also about to start a cheese bar. One of my favorite local cheeses was this super runny one with bits of black truffle from the Estrella Creamery, but they got shut down by the FDA. Stupid FDA.

[MarkGrace]

I haven't met a cheese I did not like, and yes that includes salterello, which is one of the many kinds of cheeses that have live maggots in them.

Some of my favorites that go beyond the usual brie, or other widely known/available European cheeses:

Taleggio (stinky, but really good in risotto)
Stracchino (you can't have a true foccaccia al formaggio without it)
Burrata (it's a creamier/softer kind of mozzarella)

The question I have is why lactose intolerants have problems with hard cheeses. It seems like more of a psychological reaction as the lactose is essentially gone by that point.

Bunch of homemade burrata at the Italian places around here lately. Love that stuff.

[creekster]

Real Gruyere (not imitation stuff, but the stuff actually made/cured in Gruyere itself). I love it. A room temperature slice with some fruit? Divine. Or try some melted on some fresh baguette, or perhaps in fondue. Mmmmm.

There is a dark orange Gouda, the name of which I cant recall right now, that I very much like also.

There are also some nice sonoma cheeses that are good, such as a mezzo Secco that hits a right flavor every time.

[BigPiney]

Real Gruyere (not imitation stuff, but the stuff actually made/cured in Gruyere itself). I love it. A room temperature slice with some fruit? Divine. Or try some melted on some fresh baguette, or perhaps in fondue. Mmmmm.

There is a dark orange Gouda, the name of which I cant recall right now, that I very much like also.

There are also some nice sonoma cheeses that are good, such as a mezzo Secco that hits a right flavor every time.

Last year I spent a week only 5 miles from the Gruyere castle. Yumm. It was fun hearing the cows roaming the hills with their bells on. When I was out for a run in the mornings, the farmers would be out collecting the milk and bringing into the local fromagerie. We would then go to this fromagerie and get fresh yogurt, various ages of Gruyere, and something they called Vacherin. This stuff was strong, but oh so good. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacherin Not sure which one I had, but it had some kick.

One of my favorite cheeses is Port Salut.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I haven't met a cheese I did not like, and yes that includes salterello, which is one of the many kinds of cheeses that have live maggots in them.

The question I have is why lactose intolerants have problems with hard cheeses. It seems like more of a psychological reaction as the lactose is essentially gone by that point.

I don't have a problem with most cheeses. Thank heavens.

Which is the Costco brie? I hope not that crappy President.

No. Our Costco usually carries 2-3 types. Can't remember. But it might be crappy too. Did I mention that I am new to all this?

Look for this at Costco. It's money.

Will do. Thanks.

For nuttier stuff I always love Manchego.

Me too.

[TripletDaddy]

Eating cheese infested with maggots sounds really stupid and disgusting.

[MarkGrace]

One of the best dishes I had this year was halloumi, charred ramps and cardoons at Bar Sajor. Never had halloumi before, but I really liked it. I think its native to Cyprus? Anyway, very tasty.

[MarkGrace]

This place in our neighborhood called Agrodolce had a dish a few weeks ago that was house made burrata with beets, honey gastrique and mint. I really liked that one.

Agrodolce.jpg

[Flystripper]

That looks amazing MG!

[Surfah]

Wegman's has awesome cheese. Literally hundreds to choose from. They have a great triple creme brie. I love going to their cheese shop and sampling things.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My son and DIL live in Dallas and one of their favorite restaurants is Scardello Cheese Deli:

http://scardellocheese.com/

We tried it out a few months ago and it was fantastic. Incredible selection and they take their time to let you try lots of samples to figure out what you want to try. Then they give you a platter with the cheeses and dried fruits, nuts, and bread and drinks on the side. Really fun.

[falafel]

Sorry, I couldn't resist. It was hearing the Wensleydale that did it.