Books about cheese are taking over the shelves in book stores and are filled with much more than just recipes and descriptions. If you want to learn how to make cheese for a living, there's a book for you out there. If want to read about what it like to milk goats, there's a book for you too. Want to read about what possesses someone to make or sell cheese for a living? You're in luck, there are several new books out (or books soon to be released) that will answer just about any question you've ever had about the cheese industry. The best part is that cheese people are generally entertaining, unique and down-to-earth characters who make reading about their life and work a real pleasure. I know that I'm hoping to get one of these new cheese books in my stocking this year....

I've been so busy this month that I haven't really been in the mood to cook super-gourmet holiday treats. Instead, I've been in the mood for simple recipes that satisfy my cravings. In many cases, this ends up being a recipe from back when I was a kid, like this delicious Swiss Cheese Bread that one of my aunts used to make. She would generously stuff the bread with melted butter and cheese and it was incredibly decadent. I've scaled back the butter a bit in the recipe, even so, the Swiss Cheese Bread is still really good. And, really simple, which is just what I need this holiday season.

For some the winter holidays mean eggnog and cookies, but for me the holidays mean it's time to break out the Stilton and Port. I can't give myself credit for coming up with this pairing, the English have been enjoying Stilton and port together for longer than any of us have been around.

Stilton is a blue cheese made in England with pasteurized cows' milk. It's known for being tangy without being too sharp, savory without being too salty, and bold without being overpowering. It also has a crumbly yet buttery texture. Port's rich, fruity and fairly sweet flavor contrasts nicely with this blue cheese. Instead of having the two side by side, I've heard of pouring the port over the cheese or scooping a hole out of a wheel of Stilton and pouring the port inside. Have any of you ever tried this? Let us know if you recommend it!

Rumor has it that the partnership forged in 2008 between Murray's Cheese Shop in New York and Kroger Markets, a chain of grocery stores based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been going well.

So well, that Kroger plans to open 50 more Murray's Cheese Shops within Kroger Markets over the next few years. If you ever have a chance to visit Murray's Cheese Shop in New York, I recommend it. The store has a great selection of artisanal cheese and a very knowledgeable staff. If you can't get to Murray's but live near a Kroger's grocery store, perhaps you will see an outpost of Murray's coming to your grocery store soon. This is a good thing for shoppers who love cheese but might live in areas that don't have a local artisanal cheese shop they can buy from.