Cheese

Fire up the grill, burger season is almost here!  These blue cheese burgers are a favorite of mine, juicy and flavorful but not overpowered by the strong flavor of blue cheese.

I love creamy blue cheese dressing, but I might just love this Blue Cheese Vinaigrette even more. It contains no mayonnaise, sour cream or buttermilk and it's super easy to make. Just throw the ingredients in a blender and pour over salad. Yum.

I was never a fan of sage until I started sauteing the leaves in butter. Of course, pretty much anything tastes great when it's sauteed in loads of butter, but sage leaves become an entirely different herb. Instead of being pungent and a bit fuzzy, the leaves become delicate, nutty little morsels that melt in your mouth. The flavor pairs perfectly with melted cheese, which is why I topped the grilled cheese and prosciutto sandwich I ate yesterday with sage leaves. It was a delicious lunch, and one I highly recommend.

A simple but satisfying dish, baked quinoa with mozzarella has a mild flavor. I like it for breakfast, although it can also be served as a side for dinner.

A simple dish with special flavor...Kale sauteed with red onions and garnished with cheese has a nice balance of bitter, sweet and salty flavor. Serve it as a side dish or toss the kale with a bowl of pasta.

For one reason or another, many people need to avoid lactose. Although lactose is in milk, many types of cheese have low or no lactose. As a reader pointed out to me, most people are unaware that so many types of cheese are lactose free. How do you know which types of cheese are lactose free? I've put together this handy guide to lactose free cheese that will tell you everything you need to know.

Why roast asparagus instead of boiling or sauteing it? Because the tips get crispy and the overall flavor of the asparagus is sweeter. Take advantage of the spring asparagus showing up at the market and try  Roasted Asparagus Garnished with Cheese for dinner tonight.

Soft-ripened cheeses are some of my favorites. Creamy, buttery, luscious cheeses that are both beautiful to look at and an amazing flavor experience. Learn more about soft-ripened cheese by reading about how it's made and then head to your cheese shop to buy a few types of soft-ripened cheese to try.

What is whey and how can whey be used outside of cheesemaking? Home cheesemakers will be especially interested in this brief explanation of whey. When you're making most types of cheese, whey is an inevitable bi-product. Don't throw it out! Whey is full of nutrients and can be used in many ways (pun not intended!).

Loved this article about Mike Geno, an artist who paints portraits of cheese. In his words, "I only paint things I find attractive and appetizing." You can view his cheese portraits on his website. I'm particularly fond of the shropshire blue painting. What's your favorite?