Nothing says class like an after-dinner cheese course. “Cheese can be a decadent treat that satisfies your need for something creamy and sweet to finish out a meal,” said Larder & Cupboard general manager Cindy Higgerson. “It’s a nice way to end an elegant dinner.” A good cheese board should have a couple sweet accompaniments like honey and dried fruit, some savory choices like pickles and nuts, and crackers or crusty bread along with three to five cheeses. Ask your cheesemonger for help choosing a variety of milks, ages and styles. We asked Higgerson to build us the ultimate cheese course.
1. Green Dirt Farms Woolly Rind aged sheep’s milk cheese
This creamy, decadent Camembert-style is made locally in Weston, Missouri. $18.
2. Kenny’s Farmhouse Awe Brie
A bloomy-rind, soft cheese, this brie goes great with preserves and fruit. $14.
3. Baetje Pumpkin Walnut goat cheese
This fresh goat cheese is nutty and sweet. “It’s good crumbled on ice cream,” Higgerson said. “I’ve even had customers put it in cannoli.” $11.
4. Milton Creamery Flory’s Truckle aged cheddar
With more of a bite, this clothbound aged cheddar offers nice contrast to the creamier cheeses. $27 per pound.
5. Kenny’s Farmhouse Blue Gouda
This is milder than most blue cheeses, offering some funkiness without overpowering. $23.50 per pound.
6. Quince & Apple figs and black tea preserves
Figs and cheese are a classic combination. This fruity preserve pairs especially well with the Truckle. $9.
7. La Quercia Speck Americana
Similar to prosciutto, speck offers a bit of saltiness to contrast and balance the sweeter cheeses and preserves. $11.50.
8. Potter’s crackers
These Wisconsin-made crackers are hand-rolled and hand-cut. “The Classic White pairs with almost any cheese, without question,” Higgerson said. $7.
9. Quince & Apple pear with honey and ginger preserves
The sweet punch of this honey-ginger pear preserve is well suited for dessert. $9.
All products available at Larder & Cupboard.
This article appears in November 2016.