Formaticum Cheese Paper Review & Giveaway - ends 5/10

It's still National Grilled Cheese Month here at McKinney Mommas (barely)......

So, we have a few more cheese-related giveaways and reviews to share with you all, if you aren't already sick of CHEESE. I know I'm not.

I found a fantastic product, called Formaticum Cheese Paper during my hunt for cheese-related items to review for National Grilled Cheese Month.

Photo courtesy of: Formaticum.com

One of my biggest complaints about buying "fancy cheese", is that I never feel like I can store it properly. Once you unwrap that precious block of cheese, it never seems to keep it's original moisture or texture, does it?  I always end up throwing away that last bit of cheese and feel so guilty about it. Never again. 

After receiving and using Formaticum Cheese Paper on my recent cheese samples, I'm convinced this is a product that meets my cheese storage needs and "protects my investments" when purchasing some of the higher priced cheeses.

Photo courtesy of: Formaticum.com

The outer layer of cheese paper, is designed to protect and maintain the cheese's optimal humidity levels, simulating the cheese cave in which it was stored prior to purchasing the cheese. There is an inner porous layer of plastic, which allows the cheese to breathe, preventing moisture beads from settling on the surface.

 

My "fancy cheese" wrapped in Formaticum Cheese Paper

One package of Formaticum Cheese Papers is only $9.00 and includes (12) 11x14 sheets and 24 adhesive labels, you can use to identify the name of the cheese, style and date purchased. I have been showered with TONS of cheese samples this month, and am not even half way through my pack of cheese papers. Unless you're purchasing 1/2 wheels of cheese, on a regular basis, you'll be able to cut down the sheets to whatever size you'd like and make your collection of papers stretch!

Formaticum Cheese Papers & Labels - photo from Formaticum.com

So, if you're into cheese, and want to protect your PRECIOUS cheese investments, like I do. Head over to Formaticum.com and get yourself a set of cheese papers today.  Formaticum Cheese Papers are unique, yet incredibly useful = the perfect gift for the loved FOODIE in your life!

STAY in TOUCH

• FOLLOW Formaticum.com on TWITTER
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• SHOP online at Formaticum.com

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(2) Packages of Formaticum Cheese Papers (24 cheese papers & 48 labels)

 (3) WINNERS will be chosen!

Click READ MORE > > > to complete Rafflecopter Entry Form

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?

Cellars at Jasper Hill - Landaff Cheese Review & Exclusive Coupon Code

I just don't think I can do it anymore, friends.  Buy generic, store brand cheese, that is.  There is just something special about cheese made from small dairy milk, where the cows have been in the family for generations, that adds character and depth to the cheese. This week, I tossed out my boring cheese brands and traded in for something special - cheese from The Cellars at Jasper Hill!

The Cellars at Jasper Hill, jumped at the idea to participate in our "National Grilled Cheese Month" here at McKinney Mommas.  They had the perfect cheese in mind for us to try, Landaff by Landaff Creamery.

Landaff

• Milk Type: Raw Holstein Cow
• Rennet: Traditional Rennet
• Style: Natural Rind Tomme
• Aged: 4-5 months
• Size: 8.5 lb Wheel
• Availability: Year-Round

This cheese, bursting with a mild nutty flavor and creamy finish is perfect to eat alone, or melt between two pieces of crusty bread to make your favorite grilled cheese sandwich.  Landaff Creamery is a second generation owned dairy farm, producing fresh milk and delicious cheese since the 1950's.

What was that? You can't see INSIDE the wrapper?  I can fix that for you!

Look at that gorgeous hunk of cheese!  Enclosed in a natural, cave-aged rind, Landaff can hold it's own in the beauty department on a cheese plate, or melt to perfection in a homemade broccoli cheese soup.  I can't say enough about the versatility of this cheese. Both my young daughter and husband LOVED this cheese, by itself and in sandwiches.  My little peanut can't talk yet (besides a few words), but she knows how to sign "more" in baby sign language, and after her first bite of the Landaff, her hands started flying for MORE over...and over...and over....

Lunch today for my peanut and I - simple grilled cheese with Landaff = perfection!

The Cellars at Jasper Hill, located in Greensboro, Vermont boasts 22,000 square feet of cheese caves, carved out underneath the pasutres on which their 40 Ayrshire cows graze on lucious green grass. Oh, how I'd love to visit those caves, each one held at varying temperatures to perfect distinct styles of cheese.


More ABOUT The Cellars at Jasper Hill

By offering a collection of professionally aged and marketed cheeses, Cellars at Jasper Hill allows its producers to focus on the most important aspects of their trade - quality milk production and cheesemaking technique. This focus on precision and specialization is the foundation of the Cellars aim to be the standard bearer for quality and innovation in the artisan cheese industry.

- excerpt from The Cellars at Jasper Hill website [http://www.cellarsatjasperhill.com/]

Is your mouth watering yet for a taste of Landaff?  Wait no more, you can order your own Landaff cheese, a gift basket, or one of their other delicious selections, online at The Cellars at Jasper Hill!

SHOP NOW

 Use EXCLUSIVE coupon code: "mckinneymommas" (case sensitive)

for 20% off a 1/4 wheel of Landaff!

A quarter pound of this cheese is approximately 2.5lbs!

Stay updated with all the "aged" goodness going on at the Cellars at Jasper Hill

• "LIKE" Cellars at Jasper Hill on Facebook

• "FOLLOW" Cellars at Jasper Hill on Twitter 

• VISIT the Cellars at Jasper Hill website

* Disclosure: McKinney Mommas was given a sample of Landaff cheese to facilitate this review.  As always, my opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced by the complimentary item from Cellars at Jasper Hill.

New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. Review & GIVEAWAY - ends 4/20

It's "Whey" Wednesday...err Friday here at McKinney Mommas!

Okay, so I'm a few days late with my "W" cheese post for our first Wednesday of "National Grilled Cheese Month" at McKinney Mommas, but that's okay because I actually didn't have any personal experience with Whey until today.  I promise you, I'm NOT trying to rhyme here.

So, this morning I set out to make my own homemade cheese for the first time EVER.  With the help of an awesome Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese-making kit from The New England Cheese Making Company.

 

To be honest, I was slightly nervous about the whole process as I have a 14 month old hanging out with me in the kitchen that I have to "include" in the process.  I wasn't sure if having to take a few breaks in the process (ie. diaper change, fill up the sippy cup, wipe the runny nose, wash my hands AFTER wiping the runny nose...you get the idea) would ruin the batch of cheese completely. Keep reading to find out..............

Now, I LOVE cheese, but never thought I'd have the skills to make my own.  This 30-minute Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit has incredibly straight-forward directions and contains practically everything you need to make your own homemade CHEESE!

The kit includes:

• Dairy Thermometer
• Citric Acid
• Cheesecloth
• Rennet Tablets  
• Cheese Salt
• and a lovely recipe booklet that has great suggestions on what ELSE you can make with your fancy homemade cheese (prosciutto & cheese calzones, easy lasagna, and more)

What YOU need to have on hand:

• (1) Gallon of Milk
• Chlorine-free water
• 1 gallon stainless steel pot (or any other non-cast iron or aluminum pot)
• Colander (strainer)
• Slotted spoon
• Long knife
• A deep desire for an exciting CHEESY adventure 

..........ladies and gentlemen start your engines..........

Get the milk & citric acid up to temp, add rennet mixture - easy peazy

If you're on the right path, this is what it looks like after sitting for 5 minutes and sliding a knife through.

Back on the heat - oooh, it's starting to look like cottage cheese, I think we're doing okay!

Removing the curds from the WHEY! Time for a hot water bath (not me...the cheese curds)

Pulling it like taffy - "hey this is fun"

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have CHEESE! Seriously, this worked the first time??!!!!

...and a little string cheese for the kiddo!

My chest is swelling just a tad with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I seriously made some delicious cheese on my first attempt - and with a little peanut in tow. The best part about this, is that none of this has to be over - this kit includes the ingredients for 29 more batches of cheese!!!

Just think, you can go buy one little log of mozzarella at the store for $6.00-7.00 bucks - or you can make 30 batches of your own for $24.95!

You can let your creativity take over, and shape the cheese into logs, a ball, braids, or even  bocconcini (those little balls that you toss with fresh herbs and olive oil).  I can see making some pretty fancy appetizer plates with your own HOMEMADE mozz cheese balls!

So, if it's a culinary challenge you're after (although I have to say, this was pretty easy to accomplish), or a fun activity to do with your kids, or even a way to get some bragging rights at your next mom's function, I'd seriously recommend heading over to The New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and picking up a kit for yourself.

Click here to SHOP

and...........while you're at it......

• "LIKE" New England Cheesemaking Supply Company on FACEBOOK
• Check out the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company BLOG 

Wait......there's more..........ENTER TO WIN your very own Cheesemaking Kit BELOW

   

~ GIVEAWAY ~

 (1) Ricki's Mozarella & Ricotta Kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company!

• Click READ MORE > > > to complete Rafflecopter Entry Form
• Giveaway open until 4/20/12 at 12:01 ET

*Disclosure: I was given a cheesemaking kit to facilitate this review. However, all opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way by the complimentary product.

It's Triple Creme Cheese, Tuesday here at McKinney Mommas

It's safe to say that if you want to try a Triple Cream cheese [fromage triple-crème], you're going to have to abandon your diet for the day! Weighing in with a whopping 75% butter fat content, this creamy and rich treat is sure to delight your taste buds. Well, it does mine, anyway! The Cook's Thesaurus calls these cheeses "the gelatos of the cheese world."

Photo courtesy of: foodsubs.com/

Some examples of triple cream [triple-crème] are:

• Marscapone
• Boursault
• Brillat Savarin
• Castello Blue
• Explorateur
• Délice de Bourgogne

 

Two of MY favorite triple cream cheeses, I had the pleasure of trying at a cheese tasting class, were both from Cowgirl Creamery in California - the Mt Tam and Red Hawk. Beware, novice cheese tasters, the Red Hawk would be considered a "stinky cheese" so proceed with caution. However, it was one of my first "stinky cheese" tastings that actually turned  me ON to want to try more of it's kind! Hopefully, you'll discover the same.

Mt Tam by Cowgirl Creamery 

Red Hawk by Cowgirl Creamery

Want to learn more about triple cream [triple-crème] cheese?

• Check out this article "What Exactly Are Double and Triple-Crème Cheeses?" by Mary at Formaggio Kitchen's Cheese Blog
• and this one by Sam Gugino "Triple Cream Cheeses: Triple Play"

 ...and that concludes our second installment of McKinney Mommas celebrating "National Grilled Cheese Month" by posting educational and (hopefully) fun information about CHEESE all month long! Stay tuned for cheese related reviews and giveaways posted here at McKinney Mommas during the entire month of April 2012!

Save some money with these CHEESE coupons!

A few CHEESE related coupons for ya!

....and a FREE recipe book for ya!

It's Muenster Monday at McKinney Mommas!

........welcome to Muenster Monday here at McKinney Mommas!

Domestic Muenster. Photo courtesy WisconsinCheeseman.com.

Muenster cheese is one that I have fond childhood memories of.  The little orange rind around the white, creamy middle and it's mild flavor went great in sandwiches. (Yes, it even melts great for grilled cheese sandwiches!)  Or did I love it because it almost looks like it should be called "MONSTER" cheese? For some reason, I had a lot of friends who had never heard of it. Growing up in California, did we get a better selection of cheese than some of my friends from other parts of the US? Any thoughts?

If you haven't already tried this tasty cheese, take it for a spin next time you're in the market!

....and while you're at it, try this tasty recipe that calls for Muenster cheese:

Pear and Muenster Flatbread

 by Blackbelly Catering - Chef Hosea Rosenberg

Photo courtesy of Tillamook.com

Stay tuned for more CHEESY goodness all month long, as McKinney Mommas celebrates "National Grilled Cheese Month"

Woo Hoo for "National Grilled Cheese Month" - and I'm not FOOLIN'

How's this to kick off "National Grilled Cheese Month"?

I think I've died and gone to breakfast heaven! 

Source: tillamook.com via Tillamook on Pinterest

In honor of "National Grilled Cheese Month" during the month of April, Tillamook (one of my childhood fav's) will be posting recipes from chefs, to stay-at-home moms, to your next door neighbor!  This is the first installment for the month - and I think it's a winner. I'll be making it for breakfast tomorrow, thank you very much!