Tomato Tomatoe

cheeses from Europe

Europe is home to a rich and diverse array of cheeses, with each country offering unique varieties that reflect its culture and culinary history. European cheese are among the world’s most popular. Each and every one of them embodies centuries of traditional know-how and processes that have evolved overtime to meet new sustainability challenges. Among European cheese, French cheeses are known for their diversity, history and high standards. There are over 1,200 Frenches cheese, all of which are unique to their region.

Some of Europe’s finest cheeses, often fly under the radar. In the high mountains that define pictureque Austria, dairy farmers are making delicious alpine cheese using protected, traditional methods passed down over generations. Bergkäsem which transaltes to mountain cheese, is at the heart of Austrian culture. Most of Austrian cheese producers are located in the Austrian Alps, using the same methods for generations.

Below is a list of different types of Austrian Mountain Cheeses:

• Vararlberg Mountain Cheese: the abundant vegetation of the Vorarlberg Alps gives the milk and cheese produced here an exceptionally rich flavour.
• Vararlberg Apline Cheese: Raw milk is processed into the cheese by hand. This hard cheese is characterized by alpine herbs which gives the cheese rich aromatics, spice and a tangy taste.
• Tyrolean Pasture and Alpine Cheese: A hard cheese that is made from milk obtained during the high summer season.
• Tyrolean Grey Cheese: This is one of the oldest varieties in Austria. This acid-cured cheese ripens within two weeks, tasting bright, sharp and slightly sour.

Below are a handful of varieties of French Cheeses:

• Blue D’Avuergne: This pungent cheese is a medium to sharp blue cheese from the Auvergne region in France, with a salty and spicy taste.
• Brie: Called the King of Cheeses. Bris is one of the best-known cheeses of France. Its soft, creamy texture, mellow flavor and rich aroma make it a crowd pleaser.
• Camembert: This is a quintessential French cheese. Its mushroomy flavor and buttery texture makes it ideal for melting into a sandwich or baking whole.
• Comté: The most popular PDO cheese in France. Comté is made exclusively in the Jura Mountain region with raw cow’s milk primarily from small scale farms.
• French Raclette: With a salty, nutty flavor and silky, smooth texture, Raclette is delicious melted and served with bread, boiled potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or cured meats.
• French Emmental: Renowned for its smooth texture and delightful, sweet-salty flavor.

I’ve comprised three easy appetizers that highlight three different French and Austrian cheeses. These appetizers are easy to put together and highlight cheeses from Europe!

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1. Cheese & Charcuterie Board

A cheese and charcuterie board is a delightful spread of savory, salty, and sweet flavors that can be tailored to your preferences or the occasion. Here’s a simple guide to creating one.

1. Cheese Selection

Chose a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavors. Add a soft and mild cheese like brie, a bold and pungent cheese like Blue cheese, and a hard, firm cheese like an Austrian Mountain cheese.

2. Cured Meats

Include 2-3 cured meats that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with the cheeses. Prosciutto, a hard salami and capocollo makes great choices.

3. Accompaniments

Crackers or Bread: Chose neutral flavored crackers that won’t overpower the cheese or include a fresh baguette.
Fresh Fruit: Grapes, figs or apples add a fresh sweetness to the salty meats and cheeses.
Condiments: include honey, mustard or fig jam.

2. Blue Cheese, Fig Jam & Prosciutto Crackers

A combination of blue cheese, fig jam, and prosciutto on crackers is a sophisticated and delicious pairing. The salty and pungent blue cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet fig jam and a salty depth is added from the prosciutto.

Ingredients

• Blue Cheese from France (I like to use Bleu D’Auvergne)
• Melba Toast (or any neutral cracker)
• Fig Jam
• Fresh Figs
• Thin slices of prosciutto Di Parma
• Chives to garnish

Assembly

1. Spread a layer of fig jam on each cracker. Add a slice of prosciutto, a piece of blue cheese and a small piece of fresh fig. Garnish with chives.

3. French Onion Soup Crostini

French Onion Soup Crostini require minimal effort and highlight caramelized onions and cheese. I like to use a cheese that melts beautifully like an Austrian or French raclette cheese. These crostini are easy to assemble and will be devoured in minutes.

Ingredients

• 5 cups white onions, sliced thin (about 7-8 small onions)
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 4-5 dashes Worcehstershire
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
• olive oil
• 1 baguette
• 1 clove garlic
• Chives to garnish
• 1 cup shredded Raclette cheese (or any other melting cheese like Gruyere, or Comte)

The full recipe can be found here, French Onion Soup Crostini.