BS: Cheesey reminiscences!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Aug 19 - 05:55 PM

Salty my arse. You are clearly not drinking Morrisons Negroamaro with it. My first experience of St Agur was on the Val de Loire, the ferry twixt Plymouth and Santander, in April 1998. A force ten gale was blowing as we crossed Biscay. Mrs Steve holed up in the cabin, praying for deliverance. Sonny Jim and I knew better. We spent the evening in the bar. I obtained a 2/3 litre jug of Spanish red (having already consumed a pint or three) whilst Sonny Jim stayed on draught Guinness. Bravely we had to frequently lunge in order to prevent our chosen booze from sliding precipitously off the table, but we always made it. As you do. I went to the bar and purchased, for £1.25, a platter of crackers, pat of butter, a small wedge of St Agur and some other long-forgotten snacky bits. I could not BELIEVE how well the cheese went with the wine. I've been hooked on St Agur ever since. I've crossed Biscay on Brittany Ferries many times since, but never on a night like that. Mrs Steve got her deliverance...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Aug 19 - 03:02 PM

The St Agur is definitely growing on me. First impressions of being bland vanished after it had been out of the package for a day :-) Bit salty though. Says he while nibbling some Whitby kipper pate on toast.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 02:48 PM

Have obtained a lump of Buttertubs today. Will let you know...

St Agur may be a modern invention but it's a masterpiece!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 02:37 PM

Just tried it. Bit bland but, as it is a creamy cheese, I then tried it on a stick of celery. That worked!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 01:14 PM

For some reason Mrs. G. put Blacksticks Blue on our online order this week. They did not have any so subtitled St Agur. As I am not a big fan of Blacksticks, will I be pleased or not?

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 12:22 PM

One of the things I miss about NYC is the restaurant Natives. Colombian where they made their own cheeses. Arepe con queso was heaven.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Aug 19 - 06:27 AM

The JJ Sandhams tasty Lancashire was exquisite. Trying Joseph Heler's 1086 Cheshire later.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Aug 19 - 05:09 PM

I am currently in a backpacker hostel in Weimar, where I found the local Rewe supermarket sells Limburger - two varieties of it.

Haven't had it since I was in Pittsburgh in 1976.

I haven't even opened the sealed packaging and it's giving me faint reminders of its presence from the bottom of my bag.

There isn't a KEIN LIMBURGER notice on the communal fridge but it won't take them long to get round to it if I try.

I think this is going to mean lunch by myself in a public park.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Aug 19 - 01:34 PM

Glad you told me! I'll try and get to The Royal but I don't think it will be this month.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 02:42 PM

Hi Dave, unfortunately our session got chucked out of the Airedale Heiffer a few months ago, never got a reason for it, we now play at The Royal at Crossflats on Monday nights, but thanks for your kind offer, I think I'll have a drive to Skipton or Keighley tomorrow and search some out.

Cheers, Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 11:05 AM

Keighley and Skipton both have them, Dave. If I get chance I will get you some before I come to the Heifer again :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 11:03 AM

Bude Morrison's this morning, no Negroamaro (on offer), no Nero d'Avola and only one carton of unsweetened oat milk (on offer). One day last week there was not a leaf of lettuce of any kind anywhere in the shop. You can bet your life that the day the Negroamaro goes back to full price the shelves will be heaving with the stuff. A noticeable and oft-repeated trend in Morrison's over a number of years, that last one.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 10:40 AM

I looked at all the cheeses in the shop Dave, no best range either, well not on cheeses.
I'll have a look in the Keighley store next time i'm over that way.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 09:37 AM

They should have "The Best" range, Dave. I think it is common to all Morrisons stores

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 07:52 AM

had some Norfolk Dapple the other day. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, perhaps somewhere between a cheddar and a Cheshire? I don’t think I’d get another piece next time we visit the farm shop that was selling it but it was strangely more-ish all the same. I started with a small slice to see what it tasted like, then another slice and the whole (small) piece went that way in no time.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 07:25 AM

Just been to my local Morrisons and can't find any of the cheeses mentioned above, probaly not the best of Morrisons stores.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Aug 19 - 07:03 AM

Any red wine has started to aggregate my arthritis of late. Maybe it is just quantity. I keep saying I will stop at 2 glasses but worry the rest will go off :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Aug 19 - 06:32 PM

Heads up, Dave. The Morrisons Negroamaro is a lovely drop...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Aug 19 - 04:22 PM

The Lancs has beat the Wensleydale. Helped by Northern Monk pale ale.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 04 Aug 19 - 02:45 PM

Having visited Tijuana , Mexico, in the 1990s, I just learnt the other day that Caesar salad (including Parmesan cheese) derives from the Caesar Hotel there.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Aug 19 - 02:31 PM

Just tried Mossers best Wensleydale and, aye, it is reet gradely.

Trouble is, I have also just tried JJ Sandham's tasty Lancashire, which is even better :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Aug 19 - 03:18 AM

Me getting confused then! The both make a very nice Lancashire. Mossers best label does throw up some fine foods. Can't remember if I have tried their Wensleydale. I did have some Kit Calvert's Wensleydale last week and that was good.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Aug 19 - 09:37 AM

Blacksticks is Butler's, Dave.

The Morrison's "the best" Wensleydale is much better than those cheapie two-for-three-quid hunks you see here and there.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Aug 19 - 07:43 AM

Nah, not fond of Blacksticks Blue myself. Although I think that may be Singletons. Their creamy Lancashire is great. They do make others but I have not tried them.

Just had a folded omelette with blue Wensleydale. Very nice.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Aug 19 - 06:40 AM

Reduced fat = reduced taste.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Aug 19 - 05:42 AM

The Appleby's didn't overly impress, as nice as it was. Singletons, eh? I'll look out for that one. Butlers, so-so... I don't care for Blacksticks Blue at all. Too dry and claggy in the mouth

And a very strange thing happens in my brain when I see the words "reduced fat" on a label. The words seem to morph into "rat poison"...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 05:35 PM

Aye, Singletons is probably the best. I must try a blind test with Butler's but I certainly have found non better so far.

Enjoy.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 04:30 PM

Hear! hear! Steve ... but it's still off milk! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 03:45 PM

On the hard cheese front there is no doubt that I'm an aficionado, a student even, of the finest cheddars. But ce soir I have sampled a lump of Mrs Kirkham's traditional Lancashire. As a matter of fact I'm still nibbling the last scraps of it, sat outside in the balmy Cornish evening light (whilst Mrs Steve is indoors watching yet another angst-ridden drama...), washing it down with a well-filled glass of Negroamaro...

This cheese is a masterpiece. Yes it's a Lancashire. Yes it's crumbly. Yes it's tangy. But it's also rich, creamy, buttery and complex, perfectly textured. Am I in cheese heaven, I ask myself.

And tomorrow I'm going to try the much-vaunted Appleby's Cheshire. It doesn't look like that cheery, lightweight, crumbly Cheshire that makes such a good cheese and tomato butty. It looks like a serious cheese. I'll keep you posted...

Begod, cheese...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 01:06 PM

Not sure if Tesco's Free From soft cheese is off soya and coconut oil, but I find it makes a nice change on a lettuce (not so keen on cucumber as it can make the bread a tad soggy) and olive sandwich - always with tomato sauce.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 10:49 AM

And Parmesan can never be vegetarian. Only calf rennet is allowed in its manufacture.

Why would anyone buy ready-grated Parmesan? Whether it's got wood-dust in it or not, it tastes like it has. I don't even grate it until the food is in front of everyone, then it's a question of "say when" as I ceremonially wield my hunk of cheese and grater.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 09:44 AM

And, of course, never get prepackaged grated parmesan, as a major ingredient is cellulose, aka wood dust.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 07:26 AM

Apparently clear beer gained prominence in Pilsen, Bohemia, due to the popularity of Bohemian crystal drinking glasses. Hence the popularity of Pilsner beer. Of course the person that told me could have made that up!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 06:44 AM

You could always use bentonite clay. I was a cloudy beer aficionado myself. If it bothers you, just drink it out of a pewter tankard!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jul 19 - 06:35 AM

I know a number of vegans. Some by choice and some by various medical issues. They all seem to enjoy themselves and what I have tasted of plant based food has been excellent and very tasty. Excluding vegan cheese;-) While being an omnivore myself, I can appreciate that my food choices are not for everyone and there is a good argument for reducing animal based products. When I was brewing I never used finings. You just need to either pour carefully or accept cloudy beer!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jul 19 - 04:32 AM

The other thing about omelettes I learned from a telly chef (can't remember which one) is to refrain from beating your eggs to kingdom come. Just a light blending with a fork, and who cares if you can see bits of white in the finished article. The mix needs seasoning but not milk!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jul 19 - 04:29 AM

The cheese omelette is indeed a thing of beauty. My preference is to grate parmesan generously on to the unset top side, then fold in half for a few seconds. Always in a very hot pan, always cooked in butter. An omelette that is completely set in the middle is very disappointing. My dad used to cook his "omelettes" to death on both sides, no folding. You could sole your shoes with 'em.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Jul 19 - 04:23 AM

Quite right, Dave, and the connection between the swim bladder and gut has been evolved away in modern fish. Thanks for being gentlemanly enough to not correct me! The point remains that many a vegan beer drinker has been blissfully unaware...

Come to think of it, how dare vegans attempt to extract enjoyment out of life by drinking beer anyway...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 Jul 19 - 02:49 AM

It's called isinglass Steve, originally extracted from the swimbladder of the sturgeon.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Jul 19 - 04:42 PM

Cheese omelette for lunch today in a small hotel that my friends and I used to stay in during the village's folk festival: nostalgic visit! It was that red-coloured Cheddar, but mighty tasty! Sadly no wine of any sort for me, as I was the driver! Lovely route back over the hills to Embra!

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jul 19 - 03:20 PM

Avoid rosé, eat cheese according to flavour and enjoy life. I've met many a vegan who doesn't know that cheese requires not just milk but also (often) a gut extract from slaughtered calves, and that wine and beer is often fined using a fish gut extract.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 24 Jul 19 - 03:11 PM

Certainly not a connoisseur of either cheese or wine, when I have occasionally joined a meet-the-staff wine-and-cheese do at a hotel, I have gone for rose and a small selection of cheeses (temporarily breaking my veganity, as I sometimes do), but I recall there being several other options of both wine and cheese.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Jul 19 - 09:27 AM

How to tempt a grizzly

Camembert

How to disguise a horse

Mascarpone

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Jul 19 - 06:08 AM

Yes, Rusty, one has to tread Caerphilly...

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 22 Jul 19 - 03:23 AM

Nope, sorry, TB, but Les Barker got to the cheese puns first and as usual, did it best. I just use my effort as an introduction to doing a straight Dylan song, as in, 'I was going to do this one, but decided not to.'

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Jul 19 - 06:58 PM

Great, Rusty! A few more verses, please?

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 19 - 05:06 AM

They take no notice of me now I'm retired, Steve.

Not that they did before.

Have you tried the Barbera d'Asti BTW? That is lovely.

Back to cheese. Saw some Yorkshire Brie yesterday but didn't buy it. I'll let you know when I do.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 21 Jul 19 - 04:26 AM

Go away from my fridge, babe,
Leave at your own chosen speed.
I've only got a soft French cheese,
It's not the one you need.

You say you're lookin' for a cheese,
Never weak but always strong,
To attack you and offend you,
With a truly awful pong.
A cheese to make your neighbours stay indoors,
But it ain't Brie, babe, no, no, no,
It ain't Brie you're lookin' for, babe.

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Jul 19 - 07:22 PM

The brilliant Morrison's 2017 Nero d'Avola goes with any cheese, as does the ASDA Wine Atlas Negroamaro 2016. I have two worries about the Nero d'Avola. First, will the 2018 vintage be as good, surely on its way any time now, and second, Dave hasn't managed to persuade the Morrisons powers-that-be to get the bugger back on the two-for-a-tenner offer....

Subject: RE: BS: Cheesey reminiscences!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 07:48 AM

Errrr....


Yes!