One of the best things about a cheese platter is there's no cooking involved. At this time of year, you've got to love that! After you've purchased a varied selection, it just takes a bit of arranging on plates or platters and adorning with some fruit, possibly some nuts, and sliced French bread or crackers.
I think a cheese platter is the perfect thing to take the edge off if you're throwing une petite fête that will carry on until the wee hours. After the nibbles have been reduced to crumbs, put out a cheese platter and your guests will be revived and ready to keep the party going!
1) Bleu d'Auvergne
Buttery and smoky tasting. A delicious bleu!
2) Comté
No wonder this one is a favorite here in France. Its distinctive nutty and caramelized flavor is so satisfying.
3) Brie de Nangis
Smooth and buttery and an absolutely delectable member of the brie family.
4) Pouligny Saint-Pierre
This little pyramide is sublime!
5) Brin d'Amour or Fleur de Maquis
Seductive and soft on the inside. Spicy and herby on the outside.
These cheeses are all available online through my Amazon Store, Murray's Cheese, fromages.com and artisanalcheese.com
Bonnes Fêtes! Pin It
16 comments:
thanks for the top 5!!! one is from the Auvergne where we are headed come May - how about their other top cheeses- Cantal, St Nectaire and Salers??? all cow I think!
Thank you for this timely post on French cheese. I will add them to my shopping list. Today I shop, tomorrow, I cook, and Friday, more than 20 relatives will descend upon us. HO, HO, HO!
i am going to write these down and take the list to a cheese stall in our covered market in Oxford..hope I can them all :-)
salut chex loulou. thank you for these amazing selections. i love to make cheese platers...so easy and so amazing. what wine do you suggest for these?
Thank you! This will help for the next wine and cheese party.
Guess what! These are all among my favorites, except that I don't know the Brie you mentioned. Here we often get, and love, Brie de Meaux.
Link to my holiday wishes on FP:
http://franceprofonde.blogspot.com/2009/12/happy-holidays-to-one-and-all.html
Celebrate well!
Dale
Love Cantal, especially the aged variety, St Nectaire and Salers. Don't forget Laguiole!
Waverly
Enjoy your holidays and hope you get some cheese to try!
Anne
I hope you find all of them. Let me know what you think. :)
Maria
Cheese platters are easy, and delicious!
As for the wine pairing:
Bleu d'Auvergne - Côtes du Rhône or Cahors
Comté - Beaujolais or white Sancerre
Brie de Nangis - Beaujolais or Sauvignon Blanc
Pouligny Saint Pierre - Sancerre Blanc, Chenin Blanc or Pouilly Fumé
Brin d'Amour - Côtes de Provence rosé
Sandy
Great!
Hope you're having a great holiday season.
Betty
I always knew you had good taste. :)
That Brie is available in the States, but Brie de Melun or Brie de Meaux isn't.
I rarely see Brie de Nangis here, but if you ever find it, you should try it. Quite delicious stuff!
Happy Holidays my friend!
Good choice! (I don't like Roquefort either)
Three of these cheeses are regulars chez nous. I don't know Brie de Nangis but Bries from Meaux and Melun are delicious.
The key to enjoying Roquefort, if you find it too strong on its own, is to eat it with good sweet butter. Butter on the bread, then Roquefort on the butter. Amazing. When I lived in Normandy nearly 40 years ago, I saw people eating all kinds of cheeses, including strong Camembert, with butter this way. It's worth a try.
Nadege
Merci!
Ken
Thanks for the butter and Roquefort idea. I imagine that would really cut the salt and strong flavor a bit, which would make it easier to enjoy.
I tried the Bleu d'Auvergne for the first time earlier this year for our blog and am now completely hooked. I also enjoy the Brie de Nangis much more than Brie de Meaux. Excellent choices!
Jill
Great to know that others agree! And are as cheese crazy as me. :)
So missing the French cheese this summer! Thanks for the virtual cheese experience!
Olive
You're welcome! Isn't there someplace close to you where you can satisfy your French cheese cravings?
They just got more St. Marcellin(my favorite French cheese thus far) at the local store. Will have to see if they have your 5 suggested cheeses too!
Martina
I love Saint Marcellin! You have good taste. :)
Hope you get the chance to try these others.
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