My dear readers, it has been over a week since my last confession.
We have been quite busy around here with 4th of July happenings and all (relatively tame stuff, I won't bore you- at least I hope not!)
The subject for today is CHEESE. Since I was born and raised in the cheese state, I thought perhaps I would share that experience with you.
I appreciate my cheese more than the average Wisconsinite because of my 3-year stint as a vegan. I have discovered that veganism isn't well suited to a Wisconsin lifestyle, so I reverted to my old ways and became a lacto-ovo vegetarian (actually, since I'm in the confessing mood, I have eaten fish a couple times this month too, but it was only a brief falling away, I assure you).
In Wisconsin, we have cheese trays at every occasion: graduation parties, Christmas, you name it, it's got cheese. We have cheese balls, cheese curds (the fresh, squeaky kind), cheese in our salads, cheese as appetizers, desserts or toys (string cheese).
During the time that I was vegan, I satisfied my cheesely urges with a homemade recipe for cheese sauce using nutritional yeast. I also bought vegan cheese at the local natural food store quite often. None of these alternatives were ever as good as the real thing, I will admit now (and for you rabid carnivores out there who want me to say the same thing about Boca burgers- sorry, it ain't gonna happen. I NEVER liked meat like I like cheese).
I highly recommend going vegan for a short period of time, however, because that first taste of real cheese melting in your mouth is sheer heaven. The taste is so much stronger when you haven't experienced it for a long time.
If I hadn't been spoiled by fresh Wisconsin cheeses, none of this would have happened and I would still probably be vegan today. Alas, the call of Gouda, Brick, Havarti and blue or Gorgonzola cheeses called out my name. I hope all of you get the chance to experience squeaky cheese curds once in your lifetime, and someday, I would like to go to a beer-cheese tasting event- it's like wine and cheese only with beer (if that doesn't scream Wisconsin, I don't know what does!)
I plan to post my favorite cheese dip recipe on my recipe blog soon, so check it out if you're so inclined. And enjoy your cheese! (Note: In this context the word cheese does not mean Velveeta or any kind of "cheese" that comes in individually wrapped cellophane wrappers).
15 comments:
Hello ... I too love cheese and Jesus. It's nice to see a sister in Christ on blogger. Fun blog.
-J
oh i am all over good cheese! i might possibly be able to give up meat but i could never give up cheese. it's just too good. and i agree with you on alternative vegan cheese and velveeta, etc....it' just does NOT cut the mustard.
cheese I love too, of course I also love meat :-). Gouda and Havarti are among my favorites along with squeaky cheese curds. Years ago I got a white cheese called pickle and pimento that Hoffman's cheese co. made but only sold at a dinky cheese store in Jackson, WI (near Milwaukee). I'm sure it was sold elsewhere I just never found it! Well alas Hoffman's no longer makes it (yes I actually called them to inquire of it's disappearance) but it was a distinctive different cheese and it's a shame it's gone....I'm also fond of saying I'm from the land of cheese and moo.
How the heck can you be a vegan in Wisconsin? How can you be a vegetarian there? Or do you Wisconsinites consider bratwurst a vegetable?
Actually, Tofukey makes a delightful tofu Brat (yes, my friends all say it's sacreligous) but they're really very good. They have all kinds of different flavors, too!
The difference in nutritional info is amazing, if you're ever in the market for a heathful alternative to meat (brats, sausages or keilbasa) I highly recommend it!
ahhh now I'm thinking about cheese. it's one of my fav's to snack on.
i'm a big fan of dill havarti, co-jack, and 8 year cheddar.
yummo!
Ah, squeaky cheese curds! My favorite. After all, I am from the "Cheese Curd Capital" (of the world, no doubt!
LP- Don't try to push any of those dogless dogs on us this weekend camping, mmkay? I mean tofurkey? c'mon! And cheese? Oh wait, I like cheese. :) See you tomorrow.
A
I am so very much in love with cheese. I could never give it up.
Great! Now I'm hungry, and must whip up something with cheese in it! It's morning so I'm thinking an omelet. Right! Off I go... (^_^)
oh my! my love! You are so right, real cheese doesn't come in cellophane sleeves......that's.... I don't know what it is but I don't like it! I like cheese!
I love havarti (dill havarti too!) and gouda and baby swiss!
And I found sweet pickle and pepper cheese surface again at the place it originally was sold. http://www.bierischeese.com/cheese_varieties.htm
They get it now from a cheese factory in New London, WI. Now if only I was downstate to get some. :-)
You should have a trip to Europe and delight in the fresh cheeses of Italy, France and Britain....mmmm, yummy heaven...
Tanie- that sounds delightful- will you subscribe to my poor travelers fund and sponsor my trip? Ha ha!
Mmm, I wish I had a yummy piece of cheese to dip in Dijon mustard right now.
Cute blog!
Amen, girl! Cheese is pleasin' - the stinkier, the better! My grandson loves swiss because he wants to eat the holes!
St. Andre... mmmmmmmm goat cheese... mmmmmmmm Camenbert... mmmmmmm I'm getting hungry.
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