I don't put bumperstickers on my car but if I did--this is the one I'd create. I love cheese. I don't know what I'd do if I had to give it up--perish the thought! The fact that there is so much great cheese being made in our area just feeds my obsession. In the midst of today's thunderstorms, I took solace in room temperature Trillium cheese from Wake Robin Farm spread on crusty bread fresh from the oven--glorious!
If you shop the Central New York Regional Market, you may have noticed that there is an abundance of great cheeses being sold. Often the cheesemakers are off at other markets so if you miss them one week--check for them the next. These newcomers join some of the market mainstays like Wake Robin, Keeley's, and the Muranda cheeses that you can get at the Finger Lakes Family Farms booth in C-shed.
Illyssa Berg (along with partner Javier Flores) is the hardworking woman behind these beautiful cheeses. I've tasted the incredibly fresh and creamy traditional herb coated goat cheese but I've been spreading the goat cheese with fig jam on pecan raisin bread and calling it dessert. Oh so good. Illyssa will be at the Regional Market this Saturday and she tries to get there a couple of time a month. Check out their Facebook page to stay up to date.
Gordon Walts is a man on a mission to get others to love New York State cheese. He's at the Regional Market (and on the internet) selling small producer, hard to find artisinal cheeses. He's passionate and knowledgeable and is willing to share the love.
Three Village Cheese
I keep wanting to take a photo of their cheeses but I keep eating them first. Their cheeses are made from the same cows and milk that make Maple Hill Creamery yogurt so delicious.
This is the classic way to have cheese for dessert when you don't feel like assembling a cheese plate. These are rich and creamy New York style cheese cakes that come in perfect mini-cake sizes for one (or two if you are more generous with your cheesecake than I tend to be). Hazelnut and oreo cookie are my favorites. You can find Erica Derrick giving out samples at the Regional Market on Saturdays or Green Hills Market on Fridays.
I do not know how to do a virtual honk, but trust me I love cheese! :-)
Posted by: Neil Butterfield | May 17, 2011 at 03:00 AM
The cheesecakes from Blue Danube are delicious! I actually drove to Skaneatelas to the shop and unfortunately they don't officially open till next week. But the owner was nice enough to sell me some cheesecakes anyway and they were fabulous! Looks like the shop will carry lots of local favorites - Mu mu muesli, better brittle, as well as some other great stuff - Taza chocolate for example. Worth the drive!
Posted by: Eva | May 22, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Hardly have I met a cheese I didn't like and I have heard wonderful things about the NY Cheese scene. I'm glad to read confirmation of what I have heard about the area as I am possibly going to be visiting in the next few years. Very exciting news indeed - especially regarding the cheesecakes!
Posted by: recipe club | May 23, 2011 at 03:25 PM
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
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