Wine & Cheese: Wine & Cheese: A Match Made in A Match Made in Heaven Heaven

Whether you are planning to break open the box of Franzia and get out some tortilla chips and Rico's- or you're a self proclaimed brie and bubbles expert- buckle up for some fun cheese tips sure to impress your friends and family this summer!

Let's start with the basics. Like wine, cheeses come in a wide variety of textures, flavors, and sizes. My favorite place to find "new to me" cheeses are in the orphan basket, available at most major grocery stores. These are small cuts of varying cheeses, and usually cost less than $5 per chunk. Snag a few on your next grocery roundup and you may just be surprised with what you fall in love with! The go to's for any cheese loving crowd always include brie, aged cheddar, and bleu cheese. This gives you a beautiful bounty of mouthfeels with each different creamy, pungent, or sharp bite.

Let's start with brie! Break out the Moscato for this one folks. This creamy, soft cheese is the perfect pairing for any sweet, light, and fruity wines. While I prefer a triple creme, a double creme brie works just fine. Brie is best served at room temperature or baked! Always add a little honey on top. Serve with crackers or bread and your favorite seasonal fruit. Peaches, wrapped with prosciutto, served alongside your brie would be a wonderful surprise for your guests!

Anytime I have a request for a simple or neutral cheese, aged cheddar is my go to. The cheese crystals inside this one will keep you coming back for more. Paired with a bold wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, aged cheddar's earthy flavors will become a quick crowd pleaser. These cheeses are slightly harder to cut in uniform pieces, so break that baby up into chunks and serve alongside your favorite charcuterie. A simple salami goes a long way! Word to the wise, keep any leftover bits of aged cheddar to add into your scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, or mix into your next salad!

Bleu cheese is my sweet summer child. You would not believe how many times my clients tell me they are allergic to bleu's simply because they don't like them. This pairing is for all you naysayers out there. With one of the more complex flavors, this funky, salty, creamy cheese pairs well with Port, Rieslings, Prosecco, or even scotch for you non wine drinkers. All of these options will bring a sweet balance to your new favorite cheese. Serve your bleu with fresh honey or honeycomb and chocolate. Sounds weird? Of course it does, but I promise this is a pairing you won't forget!

As the owner and familiar face behind Honey and Pickle, a small local charcuterie business, I have had the opportunity to share fun pairings with my clients for the last two years. While there are more cheese than we could cover in one go, I look forward to sharing more of my favorite finds with you all! Follow along with me on Facebook and Instagram, and reach out to order for your next celebration!

The More You Know, The Better It Tastes

Fried Chicken Salad

"A family favorite in our house that everyone loves is this Fried Chicken Salad! You can whip this up in no time and even the pickiest eater I have loves it!"

Courtesy of Braunda Smith

Ingredients

6 Croissants

1 lb of chopped chicken tenders

2 tbs tarragon

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Sprinkle cayenne

2 tbs parsley

½ cup mayo

½ cup sour cream

1 tbs stone-ground mustard

3 stalks of celery (diced)

½ of a sweet onion (diced)

Salt & White Pepper to taste

Prep Time

20 Mins

Cook Time

0 Mins

Serving Size

4-6

Instructions