As the holiday season approaches you probably have a slew of cooking, hosting, and events coming up. Imported cheeses to the rescue! Whether as part of a cheeseboard, an ingredient in your cooking, or a thoughtful hostess gift, here’s our short list of imported cheeses to keep on hand all through the season to make the holidays even more special.
These crowd-pleasing cheeses can be enjoyed in so many different ways ranging from sweet to savory too – here are a few of our favorites and some recipe inspiration too:
Butterkase
This creamy, mild, semi soft cow’s milk cheese from Germany has a fresh light taste and incredible melted texture. You can enjoy imported Butterkase cheese on a dessert board with jam and gingerbread, melted into mac and cheese, or as a snack. It’s a unique yet approachable cheese everyone will love.
Stilton with Cranberries
A classic for the holidays paired with a sip of port wine; imported Stilton infused with cranberries or apricot and ginger tastes like the holidays in a nibble! Sweet, crumbly, and slightly tart – you can enjoy these Stiltons for a dessert course or use them to top a holiday mixed salad too.
Parmigiano Reggiano
You may already keep this Italian cow’s milk classic from Parma on hand to use in your cooking and to top pastas. But have you tried a chunk of aged imported Parmigiano Reggiano with a drizzle of good quality balsamic vinegar from neighboring Modena in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy? It’s an upscale pairing that wows on cheese boards or for gifting your favorite foodie.
Brie or Camembert
Whether you bake a wheel to gooey perfection, wrap it in puff pastry to bake and top with fruit jam, use it to fill sandwiches or omelets, or just add it to your appetizer spread; a soft bloomy rind cheese like imported French Brie or Camembert is always a holiday winner.
Goat Cheese
When it comes to versatility in your holiday cooking and hosting imported Goat Cheese can’t be beat! On the sweet side it pairs incredibly with dried fruit or jam on your cheese boards but can also go savory; crumbled onto vegetables or soups for a gorgeous garnish and punch of flavor. Enjoy imported Goat Cheese in desserts like our Mini Goat Cheese Cheesecakes with Berry Compote or in our Baked Goat Cheese & Marinara Dip with Garlic Toast for an easy appetizer.
Goat Cheese Cheesecakes
Havarti with Dill
Take a basic but make it better! Creamy buttery imported Danish Havarti cheese is always a favorite in recipes or for snacking. To make things holiday-special we love featuring Havarti with Dill or Caraway on our boards for a savory burst of flavor and pretty color too. You can easily use any extras in recipes too like our Havarti and Leek Tart for brunch.
Danish Havarti & Leek Tart
Gouda with Pepper or Cumin Seed
Add a kick to your holiday cooking or cheese boards with this savory favorite! Creamy, semi soft, cow’s milk Gouda from the Netherlands is often made with cumin seed or peppercorns infused in the cheese to add amazing flavor and color. We love these Goudas on their own for a beautiful board, tucked into quesadillas, or to use to make savory holiday favorites like our Gouda, Apricot, and Pancetta Gratin.
Gouda, Apricot & Pancetta Gratin
Happy Holidays!
