"cheddar" news and stories

But it's just a humble cheeseball, you say, why call it "the ball of shame?" Well, because shame is what you feel when, in mid-manufacture, you say you'll just take one swipe with a cracker to see how it tastes and wind up scarfing down a half-dozen. Shame is what you feel when you find yourself standing in front of the refrigerator at night, licking off the Saran wrap. However, pride is what you'll feel when you bring it to a party and watch people fall on it like starved hyenas.

In my ginger shrimp post, Marianne asked about the Swedish vodka currant cheddar that I mentioned. Since I never pass up the opportunity to gush about all things Swedish, here's the low-down.

I first spotted this cheese in Ikea, of all places, years ago. However, I don't think it had the currant -- just Swedish vodka cheddar. It had a wonderful bite, and added an extra twist to the cheddar flavor. Unfortunately, it disappeared from Ikea's food department soon after. I've been on the hunt ever since. I've never found the same variety, but occasionally, Swedish vodka currant cheddar will pop up at cheese stores and some gourmet stores. Currently, I have VOD currant cheddar from Pusateri's in Toronto. (It's also available at igourmet.com.)

With the currant, it's pretty tasty. The currant flavor mixes with the bite of sharp cheddar for fruity kick without the lasting sweetness. It works extremely well with crackers -- especially ones covered in poppy and sesame seeds that can balance the fruitiness. However, if sweet is your thing, or you want to serve it for dessert, it's wonderful on its own with a good fruit beer.

We here at Slashfood actually had a grilled cheese day back in 2005, but today is the official Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day.

Everyone has their own way of making a grilled cheese. Some people are very strict and only use American cheese and white bread. Some get creative with their breads, and some add tomato and fresh basil.

The sandwich above, by the way, is this Breakfast Cinnamon-Raisin Apple Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich.

But whatever you do, don't make this one. Trust me.

Had your fill of dyed green eggs and lime Jello? Here's a list of some more sophisticated Irish treats, in honor of Saint Patrick's Day.

1) Beef Stew. Chunks of tender beef, potatoes, a shake of Worcestershire sauce, all hot and bubbling. Is there anything better on a cold damp day?

2) Irish chocolate cake. As dark and moist as the soil of the Emerald Isle, kicked up a notch with a dash of Irish cream liquor.

3) Cream scones. Lightly sweet and crumbly, with a shiny top, these with raspberry jam and clotted cream make me wish America had more of a tea time tradition.

4) Irish cheddar fondue. Sharp Irish Cheddar with a glug of stout; try it with steamed Brussels sprouts or chunks of Irish brown bread for a humble, warming dinner with friends.

5) Bread-and-butter pudding. Chunks of slightly stale bread, lavishly buttered and soaked in custard, become a sublime comfort dessert.

6) Steak and kidney pie. Cooking kidneys is not for the faint-of-heart (hint: soak, soak, soak), but this rich, velvety pie will really stick to your ribs.

7) Irish oatmeal. These steal cut oats beat the pants of the insipid instant variety. Try them with fruit and yogurt.

8) Corned beef and cabbage. The ultimate nostalgia food for Irish-Americans, and a perfect slow-cooking Sunday dinner for the rest of us.

Wedginald, the bouncing, or would that be rolling, baby farmhouse cheddar and star of Cheddarvision TV is up for sale on eBay with the proceeds to benefit BBC Children in Need. At 44 pounds the West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is quite a big baby indeed. Of course the only reason I refer to him as a baby is that he's not quite mature. West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers, small group of farmers in southwest England, says he should be ready to enjoy just before Christmas.

Way back when we first reported on Cheddarvision, Wedginald had yet to be named. While it's great that the little guy got a name, it's even better to learn that he's being auctioned off for a good cause. The auction ends on November 19 at 12:00 GMT. As of this writing, the bidding was up to £690 ($1,433.71). While I'm quite curious to see how much Wedginald fetches at auction the one nagging question remains. How on earth did the farmers figure out he was a boy?

[via: The Food Section]