Calgary Co-op Exploring Cheese

CRAFTING THE PERFECT CHARCUTERIE BOARD

CHEESE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE PERFECT PAIRINGS

Exploring Cheese

Cooking with Cheese: A Culinary Adventure Cheese is a versatile and beloved ingredient that can elevate any dish, adding depth, flavour, and richness.

From creamy sauces to gooey melts, cheese has the power to transform simple meals into gourmet experiences.

Tasty Toppings

Melting Marvels

Use cheese as a finishing touch to add a burst of flavour.

Blue cheese with beef, parmesan on chicken, Queso Fresco on tacos, goat cheese on salads, the possibilities are endless.

Create creamy textures with classics such as macaroni and cheese, cheese fondue, grilled cheese sandwiches, or get saucy with cheese dips, béchamel, alfredo sauce and more.

Baked Bliss Cheese can play a starring role in everything from dinner staples to decadent desserts. Experiment with different cheeses in your quiches and casseroles, stuff jalapeños and mushrooms for appetizers that pop, incorporate into breads and crackers, or let cheese shine on its own in a decadent baked brie.

Strip Loin Steak & Blue Cheese

Get inspired with mouth-watering recipes that make cheese the star of the show!

Scan to View Recipes French Onion Soup

Greek Pasta Salad

Apple, Brie & Caramelized Onion Flatbread

Authentic 3 Cheese Fondue

Choose 3 meats Pair one meat for each of your cheeses. Soft cheeses go with a firmer charcuterie like a salami or landjaeger.

Mild and creamy cheeses pair with something a bit more salty and savoury like pepper salami, prosciutto or pâté.

Choose 3 accompaniments Tie everything together with a final flourish. Consider texture and pair hard cheeses with soft fruits or spreadable jams and soft cheeses with crunchy nuts or crackers. Try balancing flavours, like sweet honeycomb or fig jam with salty cheese, or creamy cheeses with the acidity of fresh fruit or pickles.

The rule of threes

Crafting the perfect cheese board

Choose 3 Cheeses

Creating an impressive charcuterie board is all about balance and variety. Use the rule of threes to craft a spread to satisfy every palate.

1

Soft Choose bloomy rind cheeses like brie or camembert, or milky varieties like burrata or bocconcini. For more flavour, try bluetinged cambozola or herby Boursin.

2

Semi-Soft to Semi-Firm As moisture content lowers, flavours start to concentrate and become more complex. Here you’ll find a broad range of cheeses from funky and earthy washed rinds to nutty and complex alpine styles. Most cheddars and blues would also fall into this category.

3

Hard Aged the longest, hard cheeses are robustly flavoured with a firm, often crumbly texture. In this category you’ll find parmesan-style Italian cheeses as well as the most mature cheddars and Alpine styles.

Choose 3 starches When choosing crackers and bread for a cheese board, aim for a variety of textures and flavours.

Pair soft cheeses with crisp crackers and hard cheeses with chewy bread.

Discover the perfect pairings on the next page

Washed Rind Bathed in a salt water brine. Creamy and tender.

Pair with figs and hazelnuts

Havarti Smooth buttery aroma and flavour; hazelnut notes as it ages.

Pair with pineapple and cashews

Halloumi & Paneer Fried or grilled without melting. Great on the grill!

Pair with watermelon and mint

Zero Proof, All Flavour Explore the perfect pairings of cheese with non-alcoholic beverages.

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Explore the increasing diversity of plant-based and vegan cheeses from creamy spreads, melt-able slices and aged varieties!

Blue Soft and creamy or crumbled.

Pair with honey and pecans

Cheddar Creamy, or sharp made with cow’s milk - a crowd pleaser!

Pair with apples and pickles

Brie & Camembert Earthy, nutty, fruity, creamy and buttery.

Pair with grapes and walnuts

Cheese for any occasion No

What's the occasion?

Dessert cheese?

Yes

Finish with a blue like Stilton or Roquefort or try a triple cream Brie.

Formal Dinner Party

Are you serving a multi-course meal or a single main dish?

G ourmet Cooking

Romantic Date Night

What type of dish are you preparing?

Skip to drinks and pair with Comté or Asiago.

Wine pairing?

Do you want a light snack or a full meal?

Want to impress?

Pasta

Shred some ParmigianoReggiano or Pecorino Romano.

Yes

Gratin or Casserole

No

Use Jarlsberg or Fontina for a creamy finish.

Serve Roquefort, Le Pizy or Le Campagnier for bold, sophisticated flavours.

Stick with versatile choices like Cheddar or Emmental.

Casual Get– Together

Do you want something familiar or adventurous?

Familiar

Go for Cheddar or Gouda

Adventurous

Try Washed Rind or Blue Cheese.

How will you serve it?

With Snacks

Pair with Havarti or Monterey Jack.

Cheese Board

Add Oka, Cambozola, Manchego or a flavoured BellaVitano.

Multi-Course

Serve Camembert as an appetizer and ParmigianoReggiano with the main course.

Popcorn

Single Main Dish

Melt some Cheddar or Parmesan for a cheesy topping.

Complement with Gruyère or Emmental.

Family Movie Night

What are you snacking on?

Looking for something to pair with veggies?

Pizza

Sprinkle on some Provolone or Fontina.

Yes

Try Boursin or Queso Fresco.

No No Light Snack

Indulge in Brie with fruit or Goat Cheese with honey.

Full Meal

Opt for Gorgonzola in a salad or Burrata with a side of crusty bread.

Go with Havarti or Smoked Gouda.

Yes

Serve Camembert with a glass of Chardonnay or Aged Cheddar with Cabernet.

Enjoy Monterey Jack or Smoked Cheddar with your nachos.

Cheese Passport A Global Exploration

Latin Queso Fresco, Oaxaca and all the Spanish flavours.

Food Pairing: Perfect sprinkling or garnish over tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas.

Wine Pairing: Light lager, pilsner or pale ale.

Italian From fresh Mozzarella to Gorgonzola to Parmigiano Reggiano and everything in between.

Food Pairing: Try with olive oil or balsamic vinegar and crusty bread; shred in pasta or serve on pizza.

Wine Pairing: Fruity white wine or a strong red Barolo.

Jack USA

UK, Irish & Scottish

Sweet and Nutty, aged 6-9 months.

Tangy, sweet and nutty.

Food Pairing: Great in sandwiches, soups, sauces and on burgers or casseroles.

Wine Pairing: Merlot, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon.

Food Pairing: Great melted in a sandwich, or serve with apples and pears.

Wine Pairing: Cabernet or Guinness, or any fruity wine.

Gouda & Edam Netherlands

Swiss & Alpine

Naturally lactose free. Rich, buttery, slightly sweet flavour and smooth, creamy texture.

Naturally lactose free.

Smooth texture, with a nutty note.

Food Pairing: Enjoy sliced in sandwiches, shred in baked dishes, diced in salads and vegetable dishes.

Wine Pairing: Champagne, chardonnay, malbec, pinot gris, cider and fruit beers.

Food Pairing: Ideal in sandwiches, casseroles and a fondue favourite.

Wine Pairing: Light pilsner, rich cognac, stout.

EASY, TASTY, UNFORGETTABLE Elevate the everyday with trays. Freshly prepared trays are expertly put together by our bakery, deli and produce departments. Perfect for every event, just order 24 hours in advance. These fresh, delicious trays of food and treats are no work for you so you can focus on your guests.

Sample & Learn Join our Cheesemonger for in-store sampling events! Experience a world of flavours and discover your new favourite cheese.

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Ask A Cheesemonger Discover the perfect pairing – ask our Cheesemonger today!

Get expert recommendations and elevate your cheese experience with personalized advice from our Cheesemonger.