February 11, 2021
This Valentine’s Day, do I have the date for you…cheese!
Whether you’re celebrating being single, making the most of a socially distanced holiday, or sharing the day with your favorite people, stop by Carlino’s Market for what could be love at first bite.
I can offer a variety of nationalities, shapes, sizes, and colors. Some have rough exteriors, are a bit cold, and can be absolutely nutty. Others are fluffy on the outside, are ooey and gooey, and can be downright fiery. All will become truer versions of themselves as they spend time with you.
Cheeses enjoy pairing with many foods at Carlino’s. They happily blend with a variety of breads and crackers, jams and mustards, and/or meats and fruits. They enliven sandwiches, salads, lasagnas, and steaks.
While any cheese deserves a place at a Valentine’s Day gathering of 1,2 or 12, I’d like to give a special mention to one cheese, in particular, that could have been made for it – think Neufchâtel.
One of the oldest cheeses from France this cheese originated in Neufchâtel-en-Bray in Normandy in the 6th century. The name of the town translates to “heart of the bray,” and it is believed that farm girls originally formed the soft, spreadable cheese into hearts to give to their beloveds.
In 1872 in New York, a failed attempt (but some would argue a delicious one) to recreate Neufchâtel produced what most of us know as cream cheese. Today, an American version of Neufchâtel is available and is similar to the French version with some noteworthy differences. Usually, the French cheese uses only unpasteurized cow’s milk, while in America the cheese is made of pasteurized milk and cream. The addition of the cream causes the milkfat content to rise from 23% in Neufchâtel to 33% in cream cheese, giving cream cheese a slightly richer taste and smoother texture. Unlike cream cheese, Neufchâtel has a tangy, mushroomy flavor similar to Camembert and has a more granular texture.
Whatever the Valentine partnering you prefer, stop by the cheese counters in either West Chester or Ardmore and let a cheesemonger help you commit to the next cheese love of your life.
