Day 944 : Great right now at Beechers

Beecher's -- Seattle Implant, Flatiron based.
Excellent selection of American artisanal cheeses and one of the only places in NYC that one can see cheese being made.

Looking for cheeses that are good right now?
Or perhaps a Christmas present?

Then I strongly recommend Carr Valley Cheese's Cocoa Cardona hailing from La Valle, Wisconsin.

This firm aged goat's milk cheese is rubbed with cocoa powder during its aging process lending a deep rustic brown to the exterior of this cheese and a truly unique flavor profile. Tangy and spicy yet somewhat sweet and earthy, the cocoa powder provides a distinctive dynamism to this crisp, bright, milky, citrusy, goaty paste.

Nothing says the holiday season like a winter white cheese lusciously wrapped in tender cocoa powder.

Found at Beecher's now.
Great for a night in with a glass of red or bubbles or as a gift for the hostess of that fabulous Holiday party you are about to attend or as a stocking stuffer for that family member who just adores cheese.

Beecher's
900 Broadway
NYC

Day 725 : This week's cheese crush..Black Sheep's Tin Willow Tomme

While down in Gramercy earlier today, I thought I'd pay a visit to one of my favorite cheese shops that I've written about -- Beecher's. I always like to see what they have in their cases to see if there's anything new that I might not know about and today I discovered Black Sheep Creamery's Tin Willow Tomme hailing from Chehalis, Washington. This firm aged sheep's milk tomme was just calling my name, I had to try it.

Crafted actually with the milk from Tin Willow Farm in Lexington, Oregon as Black Sheep has expanded more rapidly than they have had the milk and the capacity to keep up with utilizing the milk of their own flock, this is an excellent example of creameries working together over the shared love of cheese and cheese production. The result is a fabulously grassy, somewhat herbaceous and earthy, crisp citrusy dry firm tomme. A brilliant window into the region's terroir, this cheese is full of delicate nuances, It is a cheese to savor with a nice glass of Washington State Syrah.

Definitely glad I tried it and will be hopefully exploring Black Sheep's other cheeses as well in the near future!

Day 718 : On Relaxing, Grilled cheeses & more...

It feels like a day for grilled cheese doesn't it? Something comforting and simple for a relaxing Saturday. There is something to be said for melted cheese sandwiched between two pieces of bread that just warms you from the inside out, it envelopes you in the sort of way that brings a smile to your face. It triggers a return to simpler times, simpler pleasures and good honest food.

So let's keep this sandwich ingredient driven without too much fuss and with a focus on good honest local elements.

I think that the Pullman bread from Grandaisy Bakery is the most excellent grilled cheese showcasing bread, so grab a loaf of that. Next up grab some of Vermont Butter & Cheese's cultured butter to place on either side of the bread. The secret to a decadently fabulous grilled cheese is good butter.
Next up grab some of Beecher's Flagship Reserve. I like to dial up the flavor profile a bit by adding some sundried tomato paste, along with some freshly sliced Roma tomatoes, a few sprigs of mesclun lettuce to add a vegetal green side, some fresh oregano and some ground black pepper.

So grab your Pullman bread and slice two thick slices, lather each with butter, and a nice amount of the sundried tomato spread. Place one thick slice of Beecher's Flagship Reserve on either side of the bread. Next up layer your freshly sliced Roma tomatoes drizzled with EVOO and sea salt then top with mesclun lettuce and some fresh oregano. It's time to cook this sandwich!

Warming, homey, comforting and flavorful. Great for a Saturday night movie night in!