When you think of the quintessential holiday cheeses, the cheeses that come to mind are typically Bries, triple crèmes, and aged goat cheeses such as Bucherondin (a log-shaped aged goat's cheese).
These of course are all-stars, but there's one lesser known cheese that I like to bring out that is deserving of a little more attention; that cheese is Gourmandise with Walnuts. It's a spreadable processed cheese that blends Gruyere, Cheddar, and cream with a layer of walnuts. The texture is delicate and smooth, highlighting the bits of crunch in the walnut paste. The contrast of savory and sweet, is ideal for the holiday cheese board. Also, not to mention it's attractive appearance that resembles a slice of layer cake.
Some might dislike the fact it's a processed cheese, but once you have a taste, you'll be wowed.
I love serving this cheese with Bosc pears. When paired together, the end result is something like maple-walnut. I also enjoy serving it with quality strawberry preserves (my fave is from Mountain Fruit Co.) Either way, this cheese is a must try.
styling by me, photography by maki photography
