Click to visit Cheesetique on the Web
specialty cheese shop
see. taste. learn.

 2403 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
703.706.5300


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 Welcome to the Cheesetique April Newsletter

Greetings, Cheese Lovers!

Spring has sprung! As we speak, little calves, kids, and lambs are being born, fresh milk is being collected, and amazing cheeses are being crafted! It's a great time to be a cheese lover.

Holiday Hours
Cheesetique will be closed this Sunday, April 7th, for Easter. Need a cheese platter or special order? We're open from 10 AM till 7 PM on Saturday and we can have everything ready for you!

Announcing the "Big Cheese and Me" Children's Program
It is our belief that it's best to start kids on good foods early. As such, we bring you the "Big Cheese and Me" program, intended for parents and their children to come and learn about cheese together.
The sessions will be led by our very own Shelby Baxter, once-manager of Cheesetique (hence her love of cheese) and former kindergarten teacher (hence her love of children). We hope to have the first "Big Cheese and Me" classes in May. If you have a child aged 4-7 and would like to participate, please email jill@cheesetique.com to join the "Big Cheese and Me" mailing list. We hope you're as excited about this as we are!

No New Cheese Class this Month
We will have more sessions of the "Super-Aged Stunners" series throughout April (sorry, all classes are full so we can't take any more folks). Look for a new topic in May!

Enjoy the Sunshine! (unless it's cloudy today, in which case - Enjoy the Shade!)
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
 Asparagus with Rosemary Manchego and Pancetta
This recipe perfectly combines the sweet freshness of early-spring asparagus with the rich savoriness of an exotic Manchego with Rosemary.
 

When to Serve It

With its delicate rosemary flavor, this is the ideal warm side salad or first course for your Easter lamb dinner.

Click to visit Cheesetique on the Web!About the Cheese

What is Rosemary Manchego?
 Rosemary Manchego, made from the La Mancha breed of sheep, is a unique twist on this famous Spanish cheese. Matured for about six months, it has fresh rosemary and olive oil pressed onto its rind while aging. The result is a rich cheese with just a hint of rosemary throughout. The rind is quite "rosemaryish", so you can choose to discard that if it's too herby for you.

Ingredients (Serves Four)

4 ounces Rosemary Manchego, cut into four equal triangle slices
1 pound pencil thin fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
1/4 cup finely diced pancetta
4 green onions, whites and green separated and sliced finely
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste
Baby greens to garnish

Directions

1) Heat a large sauté pan on high with 1/2 inch water in the bottom.
2) Poach the asparagus quickly, about 2-3 minutes, turning often, until crisp-tender. (You may have to do this in batches so they aren't too crowded.)
3) Remove asparagus to four individual serving plates.
4) Empty the water from the pan. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil, pancetta and the white part of the green onions.
5) Sauté on high just until the pancetta is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
6) Add the other 2 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, the green part of the onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
7) Slide a slice of Manchego under the asparagus spears.
8) Spoon the warm pancetta mixture over the asparagus and garnish with a few leaves of colorful baby lettuce.

Featured Product: PollyStyle Bunny-Shaped Shortbread



Our good friend Polly of PollyStyle Baked Goods has created these adorable and delicious seasonal treats just for Easter. Make your way to Cheesetique to pick up your pack of hand-made bunny-shaped shortbreads in chocolate and orange flavors.

Warning: don't leave these in your cupboard overnight or you'll have a whole family of bunny shortbreads. Of course, that would probably be a good thing!
Only $5.99 per pack. Get 'em while they last!