Although I am usually hesitant to discuss specific products (I am really a pragmatist in the kitchen, and I firmly believe in working with what you have on hand...if your preference is for products that are organic, free-range, etc., then by all means use those, but rarely would I say they are required), I have a current culinary love that is, well, a specific product. It is this cheese:
It is delicious! And the label does not lie - it is SMOKEY cheddar! Smokey like sitting next to a campfire - I love it! Admittedly, the smokey flavor was a little overwhelming at first, so I could only eat it in little bites. Over the course of a few days, however (and I'm not sure whether my taste buds adapted or the cheese actually mellowed), I couldn't get enough!
I found this cheese at the farmer's market. Raw milk cheese is somewhat controversial (because it is made from unpasteurized milk) and can be hard to find. This producer has a plain cheddar that I am definitely planning to try next time I make it over to the farmer's market. If you are interested in learning more about raw milk cheese, you should check out the Raw Milk Cheesemakers' Association.
After I had eaten the cheese plain and on crackers, I decided to try cooking with it, which turned out fabulously! I just sauteed about four ounces of sliced mushrooms, added in half a pound of frozen peas, a few tablespoons of milk, and about half a cup of the cheese (finely diced), and cooked, stirring often, until all the ingredients were heated through and the cheese had melted. I tossed it with cooked pasta, using just a bit of the pasta water to thin out the sauce, and added in some parmesan cheese.
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