When eating cheese or putting together a mixed plate I usually have quince paste or honey comb. Sometimes the cheese is so special that you need a little something extra. Truffle honey goes great with almost all salty meats and cheeses. I happen to prefer semi-hard to hard cheeses, but it did complement Crater Lake’s Blue, spread on a toasted baguette. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it works with everything!

Fiore Sardo: sheep's milk. Sardinia, Italy

Traditional Coop’s, Fiore Sardo was the winner. This semi-hard cheese is so rich in flavor and grainy but the finish is so smooth. Barely Buzzed is a cow’s milk, cheddar like cheese. The rind is made up of ground coffee and espresso, and a touch of lavender. This intense rind seeps into the cheese creating an earthy flavor and drives your palate crazy. Aika seemed to think that it was fine on its own, but in my opinion, the honey is a must to cut the bitter grinds and match it’s earthiness.

Barely Buzzed: cow's milk, Utah

This honey is truly delicious and can add endless opportunities to a cheese plate. I buy my honey at Far West Fungi and my cheese at Cowgirl Creamery, both in the Ferry Building.

]]> http://adatewithflavor.com/truffle-honey/feed/ 1 http://adatewithflavor.com/fb-farmers-market-salad/ http://adatewithflavor.com/fb-farmers-market-salad/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:11:44 +0000 Ali http://adatewithflavor.com/?p=637

After spending some quality time at Cowgirl Creamery in the Ferry Building this past Tuesday, I fell in love with Rogue Creamery’s, Crater Lake Blue. The second I tasted this intense and complex cow’s milk blue, in my mind I immediately paired it with my favorite Creme di Balsamico. Walking through the vendors out front, I noticed my favorite green, Chinese mustard lettuce. This is so different from your typical mustard green. The Chinese lettuce gives a burst of robust mustard as you chew. Then I thought, salad. I bought the greens and perfectly ripe strawberries, then threw this together.

It is almost impossible to ignore the aromas and not stop at Acme Bread when you are in the Ferry Building. On that note, I got a fresh baguette to toast up for crostini. I put a little salad on top, drizzled the balsamic reduction and viola!