Day One Fifty Nine - A Central Park Picnic

This steamy Sunday afternoon, I made my way to a picnic in the park. Sheep's Meadow to specific, although hot, a great opportunity to be around friends,  catch up, have some good food and drink.

For today's post I thought I would keep things simple and tell you all about our picnic offerings and the two cheeses that I brought. I know, its a shock, I brought cheese!

Before I get to my cheeses, let me fill you in about the other offerings we had -

Of course there was some fresh fruit -- watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, mangoes, and kiwis. Then there was a sufficient amount of salty food, good for you in this heat! Olives, cured meats, and more. A homemade tarragon, grape, celery chicken salad, along with a baguette, multigrain bread, an assortment of cookies and water and beer for everyone. Last but not least were the two cheeses I brought, simple not overly unusual cheeses, both French in honor of this past week's Bastille Day and today's Smith Street celebration of the French holiday:

1. Bucheron -- This bloomy rind goat cheese log is native to the Loire Valley -- semi firm with an edible rind and accompanying cream line, it sure is always a crowd pleaser. Bucheron packs those classic aged French goat cheese notes -- tangy, grassy, lactic, somewhat puckery, citrusy, and all around delish. It also holds up well in the heat as it is a semi firm cheese, great for a day like today!!! As the cheese stays out for longer periods of time, it's flavors completely open up and it lends itself to that perfect melt in your mouth quality.

2. Camembert -- Another classic delish French creamster that is great for splitting, easily transportable in its hockey puck sized shape and accompanying wooden box. Originally from Normandy, this young cow's milk cheese is gooey, unctuous, indulgent, and totally and completely buttery. With extended exposure to the heat this cheese oozes its way out of its circular shape for all the right reasons! Great when spread on top of a nice crusty piece of bread.

So you may be wondering why did she bring two bloomy rind cheeses today? Well the answer is folks they are easily transportable, great for groups and hold up in the heat. You don't want really fresh young cheeses sitting outside in the sun for extended periods of time nor do you want a blue cheese to crumble all over  your cheese board.

I hope you all enjoyed your Sundays and check back tomorrow for Marriage Mondays.
Nite folks!