'The Art Of The Cheese Plate' With Cheese Expert Tia Keenan
File under "Things You Should Only Eat Once a Year." Ritz Cracker Bacon Brickle is an over-the-top sweet, salty, and crunchy confection perfect for Jasper Hill Farm Winnimere Cheese and Boxing Day parties.
Sunflower Seed Brittle
Sunflower seed brittle does that sweet, salty, crunchy mash-up so well, and it reinforces the nutty/grassy/floral flavor redolent in Alpine cheese like Rolf Beeler Guyére. Sunflower seeds harness the allusion to the sun, which fuels the grass, which makes the milk, which forms the cheese.
Meyer Lemon Marmalade
The concentrated lemon of the marmalade highlights the citrus notes typical of fresh goat cheeses, while bay leaf adds a subtle herbal note that complements similar undertones in the cheese.
Matcha Marshmallows
Pair these matcha marshmallow with Valençay, a pasteurized goat's milk cheese from the Loire Valley in France. Matcha's mild tannins contribute a mellow, vegetal acidity alongside Valençay's bright, citrus tones. Tea-grade matcha powder can be quite expensive—go with culinary grade here.
These are also great for s'mores, hot chocolate, or puffed rice treats!
Basil & Preserved Lemon Pesto
Easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and full of cheese-friendly, concentrated fresh herb flavors, pesto is an indispensable sauce in pairing. Preserved lemon adds a floral quality to this version, in which the bright citrus and herbal flavors tame the sheepy heat of Ricotta Peperoncino.
Lotus Root & Carrot Chips
