July 2012 Cheese Club Newsletter

Did You Know?

“The world of cheese embraces the idea of the Red, White, and Blue. The Red is obvious with cheese like English Red Windsor and Red Leicester but also present is the wonderful Italian cheese Pecorino Rustico Red Pepper. This sheep’s milk cheese has a semi-soft consistency, typical of cheeses of the Roman countryside; its paste is dotted with flakes of Italian red pepper. The resultant flavor combines the intensity of the sheep with the tang and heat of the pepper…with one underlining the other.

The color White is one of Cheese’s favorite colors. For example, white Goat cheeses and the bloomy white soft ripened ones. Carlino’s also features wonderful white Mozzarella, perfect for Insalata Caprese (Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Salad), ideal for this time of year. This pure white pasta filata is available at Carlino’s in both the Water Buffalo and the Cow’s milk varieties. The Water Buffalo variety is from the Campania region of Italy and is offered in 7 oz. balls. It has a higher fat content and a mossy, feral nose. Carlino’s cow mozzarella is offered in various sizes: the small, salad perfect, ciliegine; the slice-able ¼ lb. ovaline; and the ever popular 1 lb. handmade mozzarella balls.

Cheese aficionados have always loved Blues…and they’re quite happy to say so. Carlino’s most recent favorite Blue is Basajo, made on Italy’s southernmost island, Pantelleria. This sheep’s milk Blue incorporates the island’s renowned dessert wine, Passito di Pantelleria, as part of its aging process. This, and the fact that the sheep graze freely in rich mountain pastures filled with flowers and herbs, create a spicy, juicy, blue veined cheese, seeping with full notes of grape must and rich undertones of apricots and almonds, flowers and herbs. A truly incredible Blue!

Stop in for a taste of these Reds, Whites, and Blues…the perfect color palate for all your July celebrations.”

Patty Church
-Carlino’s Executive Cheese Specialist

Featured Cheese

Nutcracker

Yellow Springs Farm’s Nutcracker cheese is an American Cheese Society 1st place award winner. This semi-soft cheese is perfect with an after dinner drink. Yellow Springs Farms produces an Italian liquor called Nocino at their farm. The drink is made from an infusion solution of black walnuts. When they are done using the walnuts for the liquor, they then drop cheese wheels into the spent walnuts and let it ferment. Aged for up to 90 days, this cheese’s fruity taste comes from the walnut fermentation and resultant mottled rind.

Just Arrived

Beemster Graskaas

Every spring the Beemster cows rush through the barn doors and excitedly graze on the fresh pastures. The cows run and jump with excitement after being released to these untouched pastures. It is only the resultant milkings that are used to make the coveted Beemster Graskaas. This rare cheese, known for being the creamiest of the year, is aged for one month. The flavors are uniquely deep yet the texture remains very rich and creamy.

Cheese Goes With: Figs

At Carlino’s. we offer a selection of over 50 imported and domestic goat cheeses. Our selection includes locally produced cheeses, as well as, imported artisanal cheeses. All of our goat cheeses can be paired perfectly with Carlino’s Homemade Fig Spread and Carlino’s Fig Infused Balsamic Vinegar.

Carlino’s Homemade Fig Spread is an old family recipe made from figs from the Mediterranean. Our Figs are all-natural and sundried to golden brown perfection, with a slightly sweet taste.

Carlino’s Fig-Infused Balsamic Vinegar hails from Modena, Italy. The refreshing combination of aged Balsamic Vinegar as well as fig and fig nectar offers a fat-free alternative to other marinades, dressings and sauces. It is sweet yet tart and definitely fruity. Yes, it marries well with goat cheeses and works as a perfect glaze for meats. It can also be used as a salad dressing or to drizzle over fresh fruit or ice cream.

Recipe: Beemster Graskaas and Date Salad

Ingredients:
-9 ounces Beemster Graskaas, in small cubes
-1 juice orange
-Fresh ground black pepper
-2 tablespoons of Carlino’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped
-2 tablespoons shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
– 1 bunch arugula

Preparation:
Scrub the orange and grate the zest.
Cut in half and squeeze one of the halves. Pour the juice into a bowl and stir in the oil to make a dressing. Add the grated orange zest and season with freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the Graskaas cubes and dates. The Graskaas with its unique flavor and creaminess combines very well with the sweet dates, the crispy pistachios and the spicy pepper. Just before serving, toss with the pistachios and arugula. Serve the salad either in small bowls or on plates, with baguette on the side.

ALL of the ingredients in this recipe are available at Carlino’s Market.

Fourth of July Hours:

Ardmore:
Monday, July 2nd – 9AM- 6PM
Tuesday, July 3rd – 9AM- 6PM
Wednesday, July 4th – CLOSED
Thursday, July 5th – 9AM- 7PM

West Chester:
Monday, July 2nd – 9AM – 7PM
Tuesday, July 3rd – 9AM – 6PM
Wednesday, July 4th – CLOSED
Thursday, July 5th – 9AM – 7PM

Visit Our Cheese Menu at CarlinosMarket.com
Schedule a consultation with our Cheese Specialist or find the answer to your cheese question by emailing us at [email protected].

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