Holiday Fun for Cheese Lovers

The holidays are here and that means enjoying time with friends and family, parties, hosting, gifting, and fun! Here at I Love Imported Cheese we believe everything can be made more special with cheese…even more so during the holidays.  Here are some unique ways to celebrate the season and make things even more festive with your favorite fromage.

Menu Planning

One of the easiest ways to elevate and add elegance to a meal or dish is by adding flavorful imported cheeses. As you gear up for the holiday season and begin to plan your menus seek to add unexpected flavor twists or garnishes while keeping things as simple as possible for you to prepare so you get to enjoy the meal too. 

Instead of your standard ingredients try swapping in a more upscale or unique option as in our Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Gruyere, Cherry, and Pecan , Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce, or Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Stuffed with Emmentaler and Sage.

Bring international flavors into your holiday meals to transport and wow your guests.  Try our Manchego Stuffed Flank Steak with Spanish Romesco Sauce for a flavorful twist on a standard steak dinner or our Crispy Pork Schnitzel with Swiss for a German comfort food classic.

Imported cheeses are the perfect way to make your holiday brunch dishes pop too!  Comte and Cherry Turnovers or Sweet and Savory Croissant Sandwiches would be a wonderful addition to your baked goods.  An easy one pan option is our Savory Dutch Baby Pancake with Edam and Ham; just add a fruit salad and brunch is done!

Use imported cheeses in your dessert course to add an elegant touch to your meal. Our Blue Cheese Cheesecake is an unexpected twist on a holiday dessert standard while Comte Stuffed Baked Pears would be the perfect cozy sweet treat to enjoy in front of a roaring fire with some mulled wine.

Hosting

When it comes to holiday hosting keeping things as fun, simple, make-ahead and shareable is key.  Imported cheeses will be your hero here in everything from classic cheeseboards to warm dips and other party apps.  Here are some of our favorites to get you started!

The holidays call for the unexpected…try our Grilled Camembert with Cherries and Thyme for a colorful take on your basic baked brie or a Baked Crab and Tallegio Dip as a holiday-special alternative to the expected dips.

Sometimes the cheese alone makes the statement like a creamy, molten-centered Burrata with Balsamic Plums for sharing.

Small little nibbles are always a hit at holiday parties and our Spanakopita Bites with Feta are easy to make ahead and enjoy at room temperature too. They take advantage of pre-made filo shells to slash prep time for the busy host.  Another standout party app that uses pre-made dough are our Cheesy Garlic Bread Bombs with Imported Cheddar!  They’re guaranteed to fly off the party platter as soon as they make an appearance.

Gifting

For the cheese-lovers on your gift list there are so many fun ways to build a present around their cheese passion!

Give the gift of endless cheeseboards all year long with a rustic board wrapped up with small spreaders, cheese knives, and jarred accompaniments such as cornichons, jams, raw honey, spiced nuts, or flavored mustards.

Or go ahead and gift them the cheeseboard of their dreams! Our Dreamy Holiday Dessert Cheeseboardis any cheese-lovers fantasy gift with a mix of holiday cookies, candies, and complementary imported cheeses.   Tip: This also makes a unique hostess gift!

A natural accompaniment for any cheese-lover is a gift subscription to an international wine club so they can enjoy perfect pairings with their favorite imported cheeses all year long.

Holiday cookies are always a favorite to gift neighbors, co-workers, or your party host.  Adding imported cheeses only makes this tradition more special!  Try our Brie and Port Cherry Thumbprint Cookies or a fun mix of Holiday Cheese Cookies like Blue Cheese and Walnut Thumbprints with Cherry Jam, White Cheddar and Thyme Cut-Out Cookies, Parmigiano Reggiano Pizzelles to really wow your favorite cheese lover.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, cheese and fun-filled holiday season!