An Egg-cellent Easter Dessert Pairing!

Listen up, because we’re about to turn your world upside down. The last thing we want is for you to go into Easter with the same old meal – that roasted ham, the overly sweet chocolate bunnies, and those sugar-blasted Peeps. So we’re going to up your Easter game with one suggestion: take your cheese plate and turn it into a dessert cheese plate by pairing your best cheeses with some upscale Easter chocolate. We’re going to give you pairings for some of our favorite Easter chocolate (bunnies, eggs, and everything in between) and the cheeses that they would taste awesome with! 

Ah, the classic Easter bunny. There’s no food that is so often associated with Easter as the chocolate bunny. These mischievous bunnies are delectable, but if you’re interested in upping your game, we suggest you break out a log of Capri. This simple, rindless goat’s milk might be on the younger side, but it has a bold, vibrant, and tangy character that makes it clear that this is a spring time cheese. The crumbly, pasteurized goat’s milk is still creamy enough to spread – we say, scoop and spread over a bite of chocolate bunny and go nuts. Want to go crazy with flavor? Throw some raspberries into the mix.

Robin eggs, at least for us, have always been the sign that spring is here. Now, these might not be coming straight from the robin’s nest, but that’s okay. They’re made from decadent milk chocolate caramel ganache that is enrobed in white chocolate, then decorated to look like the real deal. But with a nutty milk chocolate, we’re going to need something creamy, buttery, and utterly delightful. We say, break out the Brillat Savarin. This cheese is basically buttercream icing in cheese form – talk about dessert!

Fresh eggs are a sign that spring has sprung – so how about some delectable chocolate ones? These white chocolate eggs are filled with a milk chocolate hazelnut gianduja mousse – so a nutty Alpine is natural pairing. Our Cavemaster coaxes flavors of roasted hazelnuts, butterscotch, and cocoa out of each wheel of Annelies and the natural nutty flavors are perfect with this chocolate/hazelnut combo. There’s a smooth creaminess in both the egg and the cheese – crunch into both and be taken away on an epic food journey.

Two for the price of one! This carton of eggs is filled with sweet chocolate bliss flavored with two different fillings – sweet ganache of the passion fruit and hazelnut milk chocolate varieties. Inspired by the hazelnut and sweet milk notes, we say break out the Challerhocker for those toasty, nutty eggs. Meanwhile, the passion fruit is just what the doctor ordered when paired with an apricoty, tangy blue cheese like the Bay Blue!

And the award for Most Valuable Platter goes to…

You did it – gifts have been bought, parties thrown, and everything is in place for a happy holiday. (And if not, don’t worry, there’s still time to order from Murray’s!) Really, we think you’re the MVP of this year. So maybe you want to ring in the New Year in a luxurious way befitting your new title. Or maybe you want to share the wealth. Either way, we’ve got you covered with our Most Valuable Platter

There’s nothing like a feast, and this gift definitely falls under that category. This is a one-stop shop for hosting – enough cheese to feed 8 to 10 of your most valued guests, as well as extra-delicious accompaniments to pair. Bringing this platter to your next party will definitely make you the MVP of the event.

And there’s something for everyone, whether it be a hearty, nutty aged Gruyere or a crunchy, earthy Clothbound Cheddar. To tame the wildest of appetites, the creamy Grazier’s Edge and bold Point Reyes’ Bay Blue provide tangy, meaty punches to please those who love a little sharpness in their lives. Uniquely goaty, the Humboldt Fog brings a ray of California sunshine to the whole affair, rounding out the award-winning cheese on this platter.

We add in some thin, buttery ribbons of Prosciutto San Daniele and Creminelli Wild Boar Salami to delight the carnivores in your midst, perfectly balancing between silky, nutty meat and porky, robust salami. Some top notch sides come into play – fruity Jan’s Farmhouse Crisps and crunchy Urban Oven Crackers are perfect for topping the crumbly cheddars and spreadable chevres and blues that need a little TLC. Finish off the collection with super addictive, plump Castelvetrano Olives. With that, you’ve won the party. Pat yourself on the back, crack open a beer, and enjoy that MVP status.

The Family that Milks Together: A West Coast Farmstead Cheese Plate

By Robin Minkoff
The Family that Milks Together

The popularity of artisan cheeses has helped many Americans create thriving dairy businesses – taste some of our favorites from the West, where Old World techniques and New World innovation gave rise to some of the most heralded and successful cheesemaking families. Mary Keehn began milking goats at home in Humboldt County to provide her family with healthy milk. The heralded result of her experimentation, Humboldt Fog continues to win acclaim and devotees. The story of Ancient Heritage Dairy begins similarly; Paul and Kathy Obringer began raising sheep to provide their children with an alternative to cow’s milk, eventually churning their herd’s output into artisanal cheeses.

Likewise, Cindy Callahan and her son Liam built their prolific sheep creamery, Bellwether Farms, from a small herd intended only for grazing.  Another prodigal West Coast cheese family, Bob and Dean Giacomini, founded Point Reyes Farmstead to make a traditional blue cheese, pulling their four daughters into the business.  Organize a family reunion and taste the terroir of the Pacific coast – from the misty cliffs of Point Reyes to the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades.

Begin with the fresh, tangy notes of Humboldt Fog. Each layer – rind, creamline, and paste each present unique earthy, floral flavors representative of the goats grazing in dewy mountain forests.
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