Shop My bag (0)
TwitterFacebookInstagramGoogle+PinterestLinkedInGuardian

Pairings | Explorateur

Summer ideas for cheese plates

Summer ideas for cheese plates

Posted on June 25 2015 at 06:10

Despite my passion for cheese I’ve long been a believer that you don’t need to lay on a massive cheese board to enjoy it. You can just as easily (and more cheaply) serve a cheese plate.

Tags: artichokes peaches red peppers watermelon Brie Brillat-Savarin Robiola Explorateur feta mozzarella cheddar sheep cheese sheep's cheese food:cheese slow-roast tomatoes
Read more …

Never miss a post!

Latest post

A Bastille Day LunchA Bastille Day Lunch

Most popular

10 great wine pairings with salmon10 great wine pairings with salmon

Instagram

I’m totally with @rocketandsquash* that a well-judged side makes a meal. Last night’s cold roast chicken (revisiting the @zunicafe method which is SO good) enlivened by generously buttered new potatoes and broad beans with lashings of parsley. I double podded most of the beans but kept the skin on a few of the smaller ones for contrast cos I’m not a bean skin fascist and tbh I like the taste. Do you ALWAYS double pod them these days? * who has written a brilliant book called On the Side from which this is not a recipe but I’m channelling the inspo. . . . #beans #broadbeans #favabeans #potatoes #newpotatoes #sidedish #ontheside #mondaynight #bowlI’m tasting wines online with @thewinesociety1874 this morning and so far this sherry has got my highest mark. It’s a really nutty dry amontillado from @williamshumbert (think grilled hazelnuts and salted treacle toffee) and at £17 for a full size bottle ridiculously good value for a 12 year old wine. If you’re not a member of the Wine Society you should be (I am myself). They’re a non-profit making co-operative with really experienced buyers and offer brilliant value for money. This is the best sherry I’ve tasted all year and that’s saying something from a hardcore sherry fan. What to eat with it? Well meaty tapas like chorizo and albondigas but above all a really good mature sheep cheese, Manchego being the obvious example . . . #sherry #sherrylover #amontillado #thewinesociety #notsponsored #wine #winetasting #instawine #winestagramIt may have felt more like a fairground tent than the French bistro we were used to but that didn’t stop @littlefrench_bristol being its usual warm, welcoming self on the first night back after lockdown and - as it happened - their first anniversary. As you can see they now occupy an outdoor space outside the church next door. Too excited to take decent photographs of the food but did manage to snap @freddybirdfood’s famous scallops. We also shared lamb chops and kidneys, crab, roast chicken and chips and onglet and chips - and an excellent green salad in case you think we were being unhealthy (heaven forbid!). Massive kudos too to all the waiting staff who adapted to the new situation with great charm and cheerfulness. It’s taking a huge financial investment for restaurants like Freddy and @nessa_bird’s to make themselves COVID-safe and keep on their staff so if we want them to be there for us in another year’s time we need to support them over the coming weeks and months. If you live in or near #Bristol I hope you will. . . . #littlefrench #bistro #scallops #freddybird #restaurant #restaurantsareback #eatlocal #eatout #supportsmallbusinessI really like this thicker cut smoked salmon which you can serve Russian-style with chopped egg, red onion and capers - and also a shot or two of frozen vodka were it not lunch time. The salmon is from a new smokery to me called @smokin_brothers and really is quite smoky - which Is a Good Thing In my book. Thinking a lightly peated whisky would be nice with it too. You may notice the lemon wedge looks a bit stunted but I was clean out of lemons which shows I’m really not a pro at this game. Still, this is what I’m actually having for lunch. #notsponsored but #gifted so thank you very much @smokin_brothers. Good luck to you. PS If you wanted to embellish this a little further I’m thinking a few blinis or mini new potatoes topped with sour cream and caviar (or, more realistically, lumpfish roe) would be a good addition. Or some dark rye bread (I had wholewheat sourdough on the side) . . . #salmon #smokedsalmon ##smokingbrothers #lunch #instafood #foodstagram Follow on Instagram

My latest book

How to Drink without DrinkingHow to Drink without Drinking

Wine basics

How long does wine keep?How long does wine keep?

Wine pros

Pairing cognac and cheesePairing cognac and cheese

Podcast

My Bâtonnage podcastMy Bâtonnage podcast

Support our crowdfunding campaign!

About FionaAbout FionaEvents and appearancesEvents and appearancesWork with meWork with me
Loading