August 26th, 2010
Monique’s baked brie with fruit preserves won’t take long but will be a big time crowd pleaser! Serve it up at a dinner party or as a snack at a casual get together and get ready for the compliments!
Start out by letting your puff pastry sheet thaw out- don’t leave it out too long or you might have to roll it out like me because it was stuck together.
Cut the brie in half and then spread a generous amount of preserves.
Once you smear your fruit onto the cheese, sandwich it back together and wrap it with the brie. Trim off excess dough.
Attempt to make a pretty design with it. : )
Bake in the oven at 375 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let sit for a few minutes and serve with crackers, toasted bread and garnish with fresh fruit.
This is a definite crowd pleaser. Looks nice, tastes great and is easy easy easy to make! Please bookmark this and bring it to your next potluck or family gathering!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
Tags: brie, brie recipe, easy appetizer
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 23rd, 2010
Monique Rodriguez blog is called I Are the Food Snob check back later this week for her original recipe featuring Ile de France Cheese!
A little about me:
Im a single gal living in Queens. I developed a love for food at a young age and started a cookbook collection that has since led to an obsession with dinner parties. After spending hours of my day searching for new and interesting food blogs to read, I decided to start my own so I could document all my fun adventures that revovle around food. As for my training, i have only taken a class on sushi making and one on cake decorating. My life long dream is to go to Culinary school… and for my dog to learn how to wash dishes.
How long have you been cooking and when / why did you develop a passion for food?
I can remember way back to when I was about 5 or 6 and mom would be in the kitchen making dinner. I would sit by the entry way and watch her as she added spices, basted, and stirred with such fascination. And when she saw my interest she put me to work. I was her best cheese grater for her baked ziti and macaroni and cheese. When I was 8, I made my first batch of pancakes. They were the ugliest pancakes in the history of food but I was proud of them! And by the time I was 16 I was hosting weekend dinner parties for all of my friends.
I love how food brings people together. I also love making it my own. I have always had a fascination with art and find that food is a great medium.
Read more...
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 23rd, 2010
Make your mediocre sandwich a delicious indulgence – add a little French cheese!
Ever have a Monte Cristo sandwich?
Add some French flair to this classic by adding some melted Comté . . .
* 6 slices firm whole wheat sandwich bread
* 4 ounces smoked deli turkey, thinly sliced
* 4 ounces Comté cheese, thinly sliced
* 1 small tomato, thinly sliced
* 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or thyme, crushed
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup milk
* 2 teaspoons butter, divided
Methods/steps
Check to the full recipe to learn the rest of the instructions –
You’ll be enjoying your lunch break a lot more if you do!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 19th, 2010
The kiddies may generally favor hot dogs and pizza, but they’re never too young to begin developing an appreciation for fine cheese. Present some mild, creamy cheeses like Ile de France brie with something sweet, like honey or chocolate and the children may be requesting le brie instead of candy the next time they’re itching for a treat.
Try these tips for introducing everyone to the flavors of fine fromage!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
The newest guest blogger – Dara Michalski – used some of the cheese she won in our recent recipe contest to make the fabulous grilled zucchini rolls you see in the below post.
For more info on Dara, check out the interview she did after winning the Springlicious recipe contest!
And don’t forget Dara blogs as the Cookin’ Canuck!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
There are times when a recipe falls into place so beautifully that you think some greater force must be at work. It is as though a translucent vision of Julia Child, adorned with wings and a halo, floated into my kitchen, laid the ingredients gently in my arms and with a beatific smile, uttered her immortal words, “Bon Appetit!” It could happen. Divine inspiration struck with the sudden appearance of a massive zucchini in my garden. I swear it was not there yesterday. The herbed goat cheese arrived on my doorstep just a few days ago, sent by the generous people at the Ile de France Cheese company. The kalamata olives? Well, olives of all types take up permanent residency in my fridge, regularly replenished as my salt-obsessed palate plows through container after container.
All that was left to do was grill the monstrous squash, mix together the tangy cheese and salty purple-black specimens, and incorporate it all into delectable little rolls. Serve a few of these as appetizers or for a light lunch, alongside a salad or bowl of soup. Heavenly.
Preheat grill to high heat.
Using 1 large zucchini or 3 small ones, slice a strip lengthwise from the zucchini to expose the inside of the vegetable. Discard or reserve for another use. Cut the 2 ends from the zucchini to make straight edges. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips. If using a large zucchini, cut each of these strips in half crosswise. This won’t be necessary with small zucchini.
Brush both sides of the zucchini pieces liberally with olive oil. Season well with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lay the zucchini pieces on the grill at a 45-degree angle (for more attractive grill marks). Cook until the zucchini is very tender, but not mushy, about 3 minutes per side, moving the pieces during cooking to ensure even browning.
Read more...
Tags: Dara, Goat Cheese, Guest blogger, New Recipes
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 6th, 2010
Try guest blogger Rebecca’s fabulous Sumac Spiced Salad with Chaumes!
I made this wonderful salad last week and got to try out the Sumac seasoning I got in the Spice Bazaar. Sumac is a plant the drupe or flowering part is ground to make a spice powder that imparts a citrus taste. I was fortunate to receive some Chaumes cheese from Ile de France – it’s a Southwestern French Soft Cheese, with a creamy taste and lovely texture.
Ingredients:
* a big bowl full of mixed greens
* one tomato quartered
* a hand full of blueberries
* one small Persian cucumber sliced
* one tablespoon of good quality extra virgin olive oil
* one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
* sumac powder sprinkled on the top to taste
* about 8 wedges of chaumes
Method:
1. simple toss all the ingredients together and enjoy with fresh ciabatta or a French baguette
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
Tags: chaumes, Guest blogger, Rebecca's recipes, recipe, recipes, salad
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 4th, 2010
. . . Lets face it cheese and I are best friends. So when I got the cheese I knew immediately I wanted to make a pasta dish, and bacon makes everything better. And let me tell you I wish I would have made double of this recipe it was so good I wanted seconds.
![4747048713_0698f652b2_b[10]](http://www.iledefrancecheese.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/4747048713_0698f652b2_b10.jpg "4747048713_0698f652b2_b[10]")
Ingredients
8 pieces of bacon, cut into pieces
1/2 bunch of fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 oz of Herbed Ile De France Goat Cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup of heavy cream,
1/2 lb of uncooked pasta, I used fettuccine but any long pasta will work
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Directions
Put a pot of water to boil on the stove for the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, in a sauté pan cook the bacon pieces until they are crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan but leave 1/2 of the drippings in the pan. Add the asparagus into the pan and cover and cook until tender. Add in the goat cheese and heavy cream and stir until the goat cheese melts and makes a sauce. Salt and pepper to taste. Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat the pasta. Top with the bacon and Parmesan cheese if need extra cheese on everything like I do.
- Katie
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 3.0/5 (2 votes cast)
Tags: Goat Cheese, Guest blogger, Katie's recipes
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2010
Good news, cheese lovers – Ile de France has announced its new contest, which will award a full party prize pack including various cheeses, Boska Hollan cheese tools, cds and more for a total package that’s worth $300.
To win, simply submit three reasons why your party is worthy of the gourmet fromage prize pack!
The Ile de France Cheese Team will pick one winner per week through the end of September – and one bonus winner will be picked from among all the contest’s participants.
So, if you’re planning a party, charity event, anniversary, birthday, farewell, welcome home or any other type of celebration where fine French cheese could be savored by the guests – enter the contest today!
And, if you don’t win this week, keep trying each week through the end of September! Each week is a new chance to win!
Good luck!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
July 29th, 2010
Introducing the Cheese Lover’s Blog’s 3rd Guest Blogger Katie Rice!
Katie is an old friend of Ile de France. She’s won recipe contests and been featured on the main Ile de France site. She lives in the Suburbs of Chicago.
“I love the diversity that the city and its people offer and love trying new food. I feel very fortunate to be able to buy great ingredients and have lots of great food at (my) fingertips. I love what cooking represents, its not only an art form but it shows people you care (about) and love them. If you take the time to make some one a meal or bring them a treat, it shows them you care and that you took time out of your day to do that for them. It makes people feel special and for me that is the greatest reward, the look on someone’s face when you give them a dozen cookies or after the first bite of a home cooked meal.”
CLB: How long have you been cooking and when / why did you develop a passion for food?
I have been cooking as long as I can remember. It was really important to my mom to have us know how to cook and understand and learn about food at an early age. Cooking is a form of expression, its an art and once you dive in you can’t help but become passionate about it.
CLB: What do you like about French cheese?
It never disappoints, There are so many options and all of them good in their own way. It was one my favorite things to eat here and on my visit to France. I don’t think I can ever get enough French Cheese.
Read more...
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
July 28th, 2010
This is a delicious and super simple panini made with thinly sliced apple and Ile de France Brie.
Simply add the Brie and apple and grill till melted. Brie is a world famous French soft cheese with a creamy interior and edible rind. It becomes even more yummy when melted. Its great to add to BLT’s, salad, omelletes, the list goes on!
Check out more of Rebecca’s recipes at www.ChowandChatter.com
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)
Tags: brie, Cheese sandwich, fruit pairings, Rebecca's recipes
Posted in Guest Bloggers | No Comments »
July 27th, 2010
The Cheese Lover’s Blog is pleased to introduce guest blogger Rebecca Subbiah. A Brit living in Winston Salem, NC, Rebecca is a registered dietitian and blogger (check out her blog Chow and Chatter!). She loves to travel the world picking up new recipes and ingredients to take home – and have fun in the kitchen.
How long have you been cooking and when / why did you develop a passion for food?
I have been cooking since I was little, but I would say after starting the blog and connecting with other amazing cooks I have improved so much and am more willing to try complicated recipes. My husband is Indian so I have learned a lot of Indian recipes over the years.
What do you like about French cheese?
Oh, whats not to like adore – Brie, Cambembert and all of it! As a Brit, we also have good cheese and our stores have lots of French cheeses, but I must say over the last few years its easier to get good quality European cheese in America
Favorite thing to serve at a party or family gathering?
Probably a curry!
VN:F [1.6.4_902]
Rating: 5.0/5 (3 votes cast)
Tags: Guest blogger, new features
Posted in Guest Bloggers | No Comments »
RSS feed for our cheese blog