Nothing says the holidays like an abundance of cheese.
Today I'm nibbling on Millbank organic cheddar with sundried tomatoes and garlic, and it is freaky good. I bought it at the Gentle Rain in Stratford. Its smell is quite strong, but it lands on your tongue like a calm August breeze and mellows there for a while before giving you a saucy kick of savoury tomato and garlicky goodness.
While some beautiful artisanal crackers lay perched in my cupboard just waiting to accompany it, I'm eating it with Christie's Bacon Dippers. I know, I know, but I can't resist. Growing up, December marked the Bacon Dippers' annual debut. They take me back to retro Christmas Eve nights when my mom would serve them with MacLaren's Imperial Cheese...you know that sharp flakey cheddar stuff in the red and black tub. And guess what? I just learned that Alexander Ferguson MacLaren, founder of MacLarnen's Brothers cheese export company, started his 1891 business in Stratford, Ontario!
I'm discovering that there are so many great cheese producers in the area - C'est bon, Millbank Cheese, Monforte Dairy, Harmony Organic Dairy Products and Festival City Dairy, to name just a few. And while Stratford has cheese making roots, it seems like our area is witnessing an artisanal cheese revival - and we're not alone. Between 2000 and 2008, national production rose 10.4 per cent to 222,035 tonnes. During that period, Ontario production rose 9.7% to 63,065 tonnes.
Tons of delicious fresh cheeses at our door just waiting for us to discover. Makes my heart melt. Kinda like a good gruyere...now there's an idea...
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I received a 100 mile gift basket this Christmas with all kinds of great local food and a handcrafted crate. It immediately made me think of you! Great work on the blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin! Sounds like a great Christmas gift. Did someone assemble it for you or did it come from a store that I need to check out? Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLove the good cheese and cheap crackers combo. Just because they are inexpensive, mass distributed and hold the name 'Christie' doesn't mean they are not DELICIOUS! Great pairing decision from my perspective!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for that vote of confidence, Linda. I'd like to shrink you down and put you on my left shoulder to whisper such affirmations in my ear when I'm making important decisions! Happy New Year.
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