Beer and Cheese Night with Vagabond Cheese and El Segundo Brewery

I work in the specialty food/cheese industry and do my best to attend cheese events to further enhance my knowledge of the subject. During the weekend, Vagabond cheese hosted a cheese pairing event at El Segundo Brewing Company. A flight of cheeses were selected and served alongside complementary brews.

Two of the most interesting cheeses of the night were Ogleshield and Ol Sciur. This was my first time tasting either of these cheeses, so I was ecstatic to be introduced to something new! Ogleshield is an alpine style cheese made not from the alps of Switzerland or  France, but in Somerset, England!? It was pretty fantastic with its beefy savoriness, and rich mouth feel. Ol Sciur is a raw goat's milk blue rubbed with mixed berries and rose petals. Say whhatt? I couldn't believe it either! I enjoyed the sweet aroma, and the fruity flavor juxtaposed with the light peppery blue bite. A little bit dried fruit, nuts and  bergamot marmalade from Blue Chair Fruit Co. completed the cheese plate. 

What a delicious night of cheese and beer!

A Perfect Pairing: Roquefort & Red Bull

Roquefort available @ Di Bruno Bros, Red Bull via Target

At your next dinner party, wow your guests by pairing Roquefort, a robust sheep's milk blue cheese, with an energizing can of Red Bull. The sharpness of the cheese and the sweet and citrus flavors of Red Bull will keep you focused, alert and wanting more.

April Fools'!

A Must-Try Cheese: Point Reyes Original Blue

Northern California is home to lush farmlands and happy cows (just like in the commercials). These cows produce quality milk which translates to tasty cheese. Point Reyes Original Blue is the epitome of a great California cheese. It's unsurpassed flavor and quality has earned it major bragging rights. Original Blue won Best Cheese/Dairy Product at the 2011 Fancy Food Show.

It's aged for 5 months and has a delectable creamy texture, buttermilk tang and medium blue flavor. Serve as a savory dessert course drizzled with honey (I love Savannah Bee Company's cheese honey ) and crunchy pecans. Pair it with a divine dessert wine that's sweet and viscous like Sauternes . Its orange blossom notes makes a pleasing pairing that sings with the floral honey while balancing the slight piquancy of Original Blue.  

*Point Original Blue is a gluten-free cheese.

photography credits: point reyes original blue via point reyes farmstead, cheese honey via savannah bee company, pecans via we go nuts, sauternes wine via wine library 

Ice Cream and Sorbet Pairing

Hey guys! Sorry, I've been on a blog hiatus. I'm back and more than ready to blog! Today I bring you an unconventional pairing: ice cream & sorbet. This idea brewed up in my head when I came across Salt and Straw's pear blue cheese ice cream and Jeni's Riesling poached pear sorbet. The sharp flavor profile of the blue cheese ice cream would complement the sweet, palate cleansing pear sorbet so nicely. It's the juxtaposition of flavors that would make this a delicious pairing. Add some walnuts and you have yourself a sweeet dessert.