Artisanal Premium Cheese - Review & GIVEAWAY - ends 5/1/12

You've probably heard of a digital clock, analog clock, a pendulum clock, and even a cuckoo clock; but have you ever heard of a CheeseClock™?

I hadn't heard of a CheeseClock™ prior to stumbling into a fantastic cheese retailer, Artisanal Premium Cheese.  The CheeseClock™ is a great guide to setting up a cheese tasting plate for your next Wine & Cheese party, as a way to "best" enjoy the varying nuances of a selection of cheeses. Heck, you don't even have to have a party, I used the CheeseClock™ just for myself the other night, when setting up my own cheese plate for dessert! Yes, I eat cheese for dessert.....often. Don't judge.

Since I wasn't able to visit Artisanal Premium Cheese in NY on such short notice, Artisanal Cheese sent some fantastic selections straight to my door, here in Texas. Their online cheese shop, is extensive and manned (woman-ed) by passionate cheese professionals that take their time to make sure each of the 200 cheeses they offer are matured and ripened to perfection.

They have a fantastic selection of artisan stand-alone cheeses, as well as gift baskets, books, cheese tools and more.

I was sent the Artisanal CheeseClock Collection, which came in a gorgeous red, reusable tin, and included four cheeses varying from mild to strong.  If you're a beginner in the world of cheese tasting, this is a fantastic way to try a wide variety of cheeses to see if you have a preference for a certain type or style of cheese.

The lovely CheeseClock Collection that was sent to me! Perfect for a gift!

Even if you're an old pro in the world of cheese, or are looking to buy a gift for the beloved foodie in your life, I can promise you they will thoroughly enjoy the CheeseClock Collection from Artisanal Premium Cheese. The selection can vary, based on seasonal availability of certain cheeses, but in my CheeseClock collection I had:

• Geit-in-Stad - Mild - (Netherlands)  This was an excellent, firm goat cheese
• Terraluna - Medium - (Utah) Nice, salty Cow's milk cheddar-like cheese
• Mousseron Jurassian - Bold - (France)  A complex, mushroom-esque raw Cow's milk cheese
• Gouda - Strong - (Netherlands) I want this one shaved on top of a chocolate soufflé - for real!

Here is MY CheeseClock plate from the Artisanal CheeseClock Collection

Artisanal Cheese is the perfect resource to help you prepare for your next cheese tasting party, as they have a nice section where you can get recommendations for wine & cheese pairings.  There is an easy to view, drop down box where you can select what type of wine you'd like to serve and a list of cheese recommendations will pop up for you! Simple as that.

What I wouldn't give up to live in New York, so I could "stumble" into the actual Artisanal Premium Cheese Center and take one of their tasting classes this month:

• 4/17/12 - Single & Blended Scotch with Cheese
• 4/20/12 - Cheese & Wine 101 
• 4/21/12 - Italian Cheese & Wine
• 4/27/12 - French Cheese & Wine
• For a full list of classes at Artisanal Premium Cheese Center - (click here) 

 

 More About Artisanal Premium Cheese

Artisanal has revolutionized cheese appreciation in the United States by making the world's finest cheeses available nationwide as never before. What sets Artisanal Premium Cheese apart is the art of affinage - an ancient practice by which our passionate cheese professionals complete the cheese maker's labor of love by patiently nurturing each of the 200 cheeses we offer to optimal ripeness and peak flavor. With a dedicated staff of affineurs, and state-of-the-art aging caves, Artisanal alone provides top quality cheese for fine-dining restaurants, specialty gourmet stores, and to directly to consumers.
-  courtesy of http://www.artisanalcheese.com/

• FOLLOW Artisanal Cheese on Twitter
• LIKE Artisanal Cheese on Facebook
• WATCH Artisanal Cheese on YouTube
• SHOP Artisanal Cheese online

And if that's not enough cheese talk (rather, CheeseClock™) to keep you satisfied for the week.............

ENTER TO WIN

Artisanal Cheese GIVEAWAY 

• Prize: $25 Gift Certificate to Artisanal Premium Cheese AND "Great Grilled Cheese" cookbook
• To enter: Click READ MORE > > > to complete Rafflecopter Entry Form

*Disclosure: I was given a CheeseClock Collection basket from Artisanal Premium Cheese to facilitate this review. However, all opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced by the complimentary item. 

National Grilled Cheese Month is 1/2 way over, already!

 National Grilled Cheese Month at McKinney Mommas

National Grilled Cheese Month is already HALF way OVER! [sniff, sniff]

I've been having so much fun researching and trying new cheeses, making my OWN CHEESE and sharing my general love for this precious food all month long! :-)

Be sure to Enter to Win your own Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheesemaking Kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company before the deadline on April 20, 2012

Giveaway ends: 4/20/12

Itchin' to win more CHEESY gifts for yourself or a loved one?  Stay tuned to McKinney Mommas for an upcoming giveaway of "Great Grilled Cheese" - a cookbook for you grilled cheese lovers and a BONUS $25 Gift Certificate to Artisanal Premium Cheese

"Great Grilled Cheese" cookbook by Laura Werlin

Until then.....anyone have tips they'd like to share on how to make your BEST Grilled Cheese?