Tried new Cheese

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

I picked up a cheese while in Maryland. It has a very creamy texture with blue-grey veins running through it. The name is Fourme D'Ambert. The flavor is sharp and pungent, especially when you get into the veins. In small bites, it's strong and deliscious. But I find that a larger bite, say half a teaspoon worth, almost overpowers the tastebuds and is somewhat unpleasant, at least to me. I'm coupling a slice of this cheese with some good smoked salmon for lunch today. You have to be careful to not handle the cheese with your fingers. It makes them smell like you've been picking between your toes.

Anyone have any experience with this cheese. I'm thinking it would be great crumbled into a salad, or maybe placed delicately on a Reuben. Let me know.

Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

[ChefJune]

Love, love love Fourme d'Ambert. It's one of the most popular blue cheeses in France. It has some of the intensity of Roquefort, but is not nearly so expensive. It's a cows milk cheese

Fwiw, smoked salmon is not something I would think to pair with this cheese. We love it melted on a burger, or hiding a crumb of it in the center of a meatball. It's great with mushrooms, and/or in an omelet. Makes a fabulous blue cheese souffle.

Here's a little bit of info about the history of this cheese.

[Timothy]

Originally Posted by Goodweed of the North

I picked up a cheese while in Maryland. Fourme D'Ambert...You have to be careful to not handle the cheese with your fingers. It makes them smell like you've been picking between your toes.

Ewwwwwwwww, toe jam! Thanks for the great belly laugh!

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

Originally Posted by ChefJune

Love, love love Fourme d'Ambert. It's one of the most popular blue cheeses in France. It has some of the intensity of Roquefort, but is not nearly so expensive. It's a cows milk cheese

Fwiw, smoked salmon is not something I would think to pair with this cheese. We love it melted on a burger, or hiding a crumb of it in the center of a meatball. It's great with mushrooms, and/or in an omelet. Makes a fabulous blue cheese souffle.

Here's a little bit of info about the history of this cheese.

Yes, I found that site as well. The smoked salmon went very well with the cheese. And Timothy, the cheese tastes much better than the smell on the fingers would suggest. I'm glad you got a good laugh from my post though. We all need a belly laugh occasionally.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

[buckytom]

ahem, toe jam is entirely different than toe cheese.

am i right, mr. g-dubya?

thanks for the heads up, buddy, and thanks to june for the info and ideas. i'm going to be on the lookout for it.

i'm almost through my hunk of extra sharp provolone that has to be shaved to be eaten (great on salads, burgers, sammiches, chili, or just a whisper on a cracker), so i'd like to try a strong blue next.

[TATTRAT]

Love, love, love it.

I mix it in with room temp butter, add some minced shallot, a little red wine and cracked black pepper, and mix it well. Makes a real nice topper for a grilled ribeye, or cut of choice.

It eats great straight up too, as you know, lol. A bite of it, and a little swig of some sweet port make for a great dessert!

[purple.alien.giraffe]

Originally Posted by Goodweed of the North

I picked up a cheese while in Maryland. It has a very creamy texture with blue-grey veins running through it. The name is Fourme D'Ambert. The flavor is sharp and pungent, especially when you get into the veins. In small bites, it's strong and deliscious. But I find that a larger bite, say half a teaspoon worth, almost overpowers the tastebuds and is somewhat unpleasant, at least to me. I'm coupling a slice of this cheese with some good smoked salmon for lunch today. You have to be careful to not handle the cheese with your fingers. It makes them smell like you've been picking between your toes.

Anyone have any experience with this cheese. I'm thinking it would be great crumbled into a salad, or maybe placed delicately on a Reuben. Let me know.

Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

Knowing how much you like strong cheeses, this must be a potent one. Haven't tried this particular variety but I've had some other really strong blue cheeses that fit your flavor description. I've found I enjoy them with meaty, somewhat earthy flavors, with sweet, clean flavors and mixed into cream cheese or mascarpone.

Some things to try:

Mix with a little honey and spread on baked sweet potato medallions.

Sprinkle onto a good steak topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions.

Mix with cream cheese or neufchatal and spread on pumpernickle.

Mash into potatoes.

Mix with a little cinnamon, cloves and spicey brown mustard and spread on a graham cracker, then top with a slice of pear.

Crumbel into a leafy salad. Add almond slices and dryed fruit. Drizzle with a very light balsamic vinegarette.

Add it to an asparaguss and mushroom fritata.

Marinate cucumber slices in cider vinegar, onion, bell pepper, black pepper and a little honey. After a couple of hours drain them and toss with crumbles of the cheese.

Invite me over to try it so I can be even more helpful in coming up with uses. ;)

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

Originally Posted by purple.alien.giraffe

Knowing how much you like strong cheeses, this must be a potent one. Haven't tried this particular variety but I've had some other really strong blue cheeses that fit your flavor description. I've found I enjoy them with meaty, somewhat earthy flavors, with sweet, clean flavors and mixed into cream cheese or mascarpone.

Some things to try:

Mix with a little honey and spread on baked sweet potato medallions.

Sprinkle onto a good steak topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions.

Mix with cream cheese or neufchatal and spread on pumpernickle.

Mash into potatoes.

Mix with a little cinnamon, cloves and spicey brown mustard and spread on a graham cracker, then top with a slice of pear.

Crumbel into a leafy salad. Add almond slices and dryed fruit. Drizzle with a very light balsamic vinegarette.

Add it to an asparaguss and mushroom fritata.

Marinate cucumber slices in cider vinegar, onion, bell pepper, black pepper and a little honey. After a couple of hours drain them and toss with crumbles of the cheese.

Invite me over to try it so I can be even more helpful in coming up with uses. ;)

Consider yourself invited. It's in the fridge at work, and so I'll have to bring it home on Monday. I wonder what it would be like swirlled in cheesecake, maybe with some maple syrup drizzled over top when it's served. Might be an interesting thing to try.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

[TATTRAT]

Originally Posted by Goodweed of the North

Consider yourself invited. It's in the fridge at work, and so I'll have to bring it home on Monday. I wonder what it would be like swirlled in cheesecake, maybe with some maple syrup drizzled over top when it's served. Might be an interesting thing to try.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

It could make a wonderful savory cheesecake, I am sure. Add in some really crispy, apple wood smoked bacon, and loads on caramelized onions. How could that be bad?

[CWS4322]

Crumbled over steamed green beans with toasted walnuts.