Cheese can look glorious all on it’s own, but there are elegant and tasty ways to dress it up a little for a special occasion. The following suggestions and photos come directly from my cousin’s wedding in Napa (Nick and Suzi, you guys rock) and in my mind were the height of elegance and simple sophistication. And believe me everyone at the wedding was scooping up seconds and thirds with the nonchalance of a thief in a bank vault. Click on the photos below to enlarge.
Plate #1:
Humboldt Fog with fresh figs and fig jam. As the wedding was in Napa this was a
perfect homage to the terroir (I’m pretty sure they grow figs somewhere around there).
The cheese is fresh (i.e., not aged) the fruit was fresh, and the combination
could not be more visually stunning with the deep purple of the fruit contrasting
with the pristine white of the cheese paste.
Plate #2:
Manchego with membrillo (quince paste). If you are going to do a classic
combination, do it well. They chose an excellent quality cheese and membrillo,
and the rustic simplicity of the ingredients drew me back to the fields of España, with all the flavors and
textural nuances that hail from the Mediterranean culture.
Plate #3:
Gorgonzola dolce with raw honeycomb and hazelnuts. This is close to what my “stuck
on a deserted island” meal would be. Only blue cheese packs enough punch and
salt to pair with honey, and if you are going to have honey, make it the whole
comb. It makes for an unforgettable visual presentation, and offers your guests
an experience most have never had. Now for whom to take on
that deserted island with you…
For more ideas on accompaniments, check out my posting Cheese, Accompanied, on the Restaurant Girl website.
Add some more cheese on the sides. Haha. :) I have no idea how to dress up cheeses. Maybe put some designs around it?
Posted by: TPC Summerlin Las Vegas | January 02, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Since Humboldt Fog is a personal fav of mine, I'm going to try that as soon as I can!
Posted by: oakley frogskins | July 18, 2011 at 10:59 PM
In many cases, my most important resolutions come paired with the opposite resolutions, and yet both are important to my happiness.
Posted by: Cheap Jordans | January 19, 2011 at 10:51 PM
And the essence of friendship ethics is trust and respect
Posted by: Chanel Replica Watches | January 15, 2011 at 03:00 AM
Omigod, I could have all three of those combinations as my last meal before I die and I would die happy!
Posted by: Christine | August 30, 2006 at 06:10 AM
Excellent pairings! Since Humboldt Fog is a personal fav of mine, I'm going to try that as soon as I can!
Posted by: Dave! | August 29, 2006 at 11:17 AM