Cheesetique

specialty cheese shop
see. taste. learn.

2403 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
703.706.5300

Entertaining?
Check out our beautiful party platters here.
Need that perfect (and unique) gift?
Cheesetique's got it! Click here for details.

Welcome to the Cheesetique June Newsletter

Greetings, Cheese Lovers!

Summer is upon us - make sure you stop by Cheesetique for wonderful ingredients for your cookout like our amazing fresh meats. Don't forget the perfect cheese that will make your burger sing!

Enjoy some cheese with your brewskie!
Ah.... leisurely evenings on the deck - beer in hand. There's nothing much better. Wait - yes there is - add some mustard seed or garlic gouda to the mix! Remember - cheese doesn't have to be foofy and doesn't always have to be served with wine. Our featured cheese this month, glorious Gouda, is a perfect example...

Our Next Cheese Class: Italian Cheeses
The cheeses of Italy will blow you away. The challenge will be narrowing them down to 10 selections, but I'll do my best. Count on having some fabulous salamis and cured meats like our 2-year aged Prosciutto.
Available Dates:
Thursday, June 16 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 19 at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM

Please email tastings@cheesetique.com to sign up for the tasting. Please let me know the date you prefer and how many are in your party. The cost is only $15 per person. Act quickly - this will fill up in no time. Participants can expect to spend about an hour learning and tasting. Sparkling water and accompaniments will be served.

Please note: Once we fit you into a slot, I will send you a Paypal invoice so you can pay securely online. If you need to cancel (24 hours advance notice, please), we will refund the full amount.

Happy Grilling, All!
Jill Erber, Proprietor/Cheese Lady
Cheesetique Specialty Cheese Shop
direct email: jill@cheesetique.com

Click here to visit Cheesetique's web site. You can learn more about the shop, see location and hours, and view archived issues of the newsletter.

This Issue’s Featured Recipe
Gooey Gouda Sauce
My trashy side just could not be contained! I love cheese sauce on almost anything. This one is especially luscious and will jazz up french fries, baked potatoes, hot dogs, you name it!

When to Serve It

This is the perfect adornment for anything deep-fried, grilled, or baked (except for chocolate cake, probably).

About the Cheese

What is Gouda?
Gouda, traditionally made in Holland, has been produced since the 6th century. Usually made from cows' milk, it is a smooth-textured cheese with a rich and slightly salty side. Gouda when it's young is an ideal melting cheese. When extra-aged (like out 4-year Beemster) it is intense in flavor and quite crumbly. Because Goudas are such a great flavor base, many goodies can be added to enhance its flavor (garlic, mustard seed, cumin seed, etc). You can even find Gouda made from goats' milk. So, name the occasion and we've got a Gouda for you!

A Cheese for All Nations
Even though Gouda was named after the Dutch town where it was originally produced, it is now made all over the world. We even have a raw-milk Gouda from California that will knock your socks off. The name "Gouda" is not protected, so be careful when selecting your Gouda - not all are up to snuff.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
8 ounces shredded Gouda cheese
A harder gouda might not melt as well - better to stick with a mid-aged one.
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

1. Melt butter in a saucepan.
2. Stir in flour and salt until smooth. Cook over medium heat for about 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat; gradually add 1 cup of the milk, stirring until blended.
4. Return to heat and stir constantly until mixture begins to thicken.
5. Add remaining milk. Heat just to boiling and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Remove mixture from heat.
7. To hot mixture, gradually add shredded Gouda.
8. Stir in Worcestershire and garlic salt.
9. Heat, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.