Cheese, Glorious Cheese

[stoutfellow]

How is it that it was not until my middle years - to be more precise, not until a few weeks ago - that I first encountered, or even heard of, asiago cheese?

That is good stuff: slightly pungent, with an assertive flavor, well able to hold its own in a ham and cheese sandwich. (Note to self: get some good ham to go with it next time.)

So far, I've only been able to locate it pre-sliced and rather soft - from which I infer, rather young. From what I read, it ages well; I shall have to try to find it aged, or else to get a brick and age it myself.

I love cheese. I should qualify that; I'm not fond of the very soft cheeses, like Brie, and I've never tried the truly fragrant ones. (My mother once told me that her father loved Limburger, and her mother would allow him it one weekend per year, as long as he isolated himself for the duration...) But with those exceptions, I've yet to meet a cheese that I didn't like. (I except "cheese foods", of course.)

Must try to find a good deli.

Comments

[hornedhopper.livejournal.com]

I am a fan of cheese, too, but only certain kinds. Swiss burns my mouth, bleu cheese has ucky things on it, and anything that smells foul does not reach my mouth. But I love mozzarella, feta, cheddar, provolone, muenster, smoked, Monterey Jack, Gouda, romano,and goat cheese. I'm sure I'm missing some.

One time in Germany, a small group of us were traveling. One guy purchased a cheese he said we'd like to go with our rolls. He came out of the shop with a paper bag the contents of which were so patently offensive that our senses were reeling. Apparently, we did not share his delight in this dreadful cheese. I don't know exactly what it was, but in German it is colloquially and appropriately called Stinkkaese. We made him walk WAY behind us.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

Swiss burns my mouth

Hunh. That's... not something I've ever heard before.

Ah Cheese--!

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

I'm allergic to Swiss... so maybe that's not so strange?

In the line of contributing to the seduction of a major, have you ever tried Kaas Amsterdam Reserve, aged Gouda? Normally one can only get it abroad (or in duty-free shops) but Trader Joes carries it.

Also very fine (with butter, fresh cracked pepper and pasta): greek mizithra.

Re: Ah Cheese--!

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

I'll take a look. There doesn't seem to be a Trader Joe's anywhere in Madison County, though.