After a few years of study, I’ve decided (much to the chagrin of society) to return to blogging and annoy you all.
However, fear not. This is a short post designed to make you ponder upon life’s greatest addition to any sandwich…cheese!
Here is why I make that statement…every other filling can be reasonably expected to provide the crunch; however, it is cheese that really lands the punch. Think of (for example) ham. With dozens of varieties available, from mass-produced to those animals who have been lovingly massaged before the inevitable occurred, in the end it all tastes the same. No matter how much they are roasted, boiled, basted, glazed, caressed or prayed over, it pretty much tastes like…ham.
Cheese, on the other hand, is a fluffy heavenly thing that makes your mouth salivate (Pavlovian-style) at the thought of its creamy, tangy deliciousness and it can, quite simply, make or break the perfect sandwich. Of course, good ole’ sliced Cheddar has its place, however here are three other suggestions which can elevate your toastie from mild to wild in just a few short slices.
- Époisses. Unpasteurised, sticky, tangy and with the texture of a big hug. Just one spoonful will send your senses into overdrive and make you want more and more. On a sandwich it quite literally enriches the entire experience. Before use, like all good cheese, it should be at room temperature and do be prepared to use a spoon to prise this little bundle of joy from its wooden casing. A word of warning: it stinks like a full gym locker that hasn’t been emptied or washed for years, so perhaps not quite the right choice for a first date. But, my goodness, who needs a date when you have Époisses?!
- Cornish Cruncher. Extra mature (much like myself), sharp, tangy, crumbly and utterly divine. This thing of beauty, exclusively made for M&S in the UK, is the ultimate Cheddar and (according to the website blurb) ‘naturally occurring crystals give it a distinctive, subtly crunchy, moreish texture’. Having consumed more than my fair share of this cheese, I can but only agree. To make it even more and more (and more) moreish, mix it with a healthy dollop of mayo and stick it on your toastie. And before you say it…you’re welcome.
- Brie de Meaux. The King of Cheese (well, apparently in France anyway), I can attest that this statement carries a lot of weight. It is a beautiful addition in between your breadsheets to make your day sparkle. With its rich, buttery profile and delightful farmhouse aroma, you can literally place this little cheese anywhere and it’ll gracefully make seamless conversation with any of your other sandwich ingredients to create perfect harmony.
There you have it…your senses have been ripened.
I therefore send you forth – equipped to choose the perfect cheese to make your ultimate sandwich. No more only sliced Cheddar, but an array of flavours to tantalise the tastebuds.
Now – onwards sandwich soldiers…live Brie or die!
Between The BreadSheets 