The Cheese Lady NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE

Week of May 23 ^rd . no Cheese Lady on Saturday, June 4

Plan ahead.

Finally, spring has sprung. And we are ready. Saturday the market was full of people buying beautiful plants. And asparagus, radishes and cheese. Thank you.

Tuesday. Today was absolutely gorgeous! I like Tuesdays and Thursdays because it is not so busy. On these days I can visit. As most of you can tell, I enjoy introducing you to new cheeses and old. I love it when a cheese is “the one” at least for today. I know that everyone is not a turophile, a cheese lover, and as much as it pains me, I understand.

During the winter, at Wayne’s, I gave you ID signs with your cheeses. I still have those signs but when I ice the cheese they get ruined. If you need them for a tasting, please ask.

I’d like to feature a few of Dutch cheeses in honor of spring and tulips and all that stuff. If asked, I would say that many of the Dutch cheeses are too mild for me. But I have run across 4 Dutch cheeses that I think are terrific. Boorenkaas, Gooda Gold and Prima Donna young and aged can’t be beat.

See you at the market this week Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Check out the pictures of the Dutch cheese market.

Remember that the Bayside Market Café is open for coffee, cappuccino drinks, sandwiches and more on Wednesday from 7-7, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7-2. It is at the Bayside Centre, 3006 Lakeshore Drive between the paper mill and the Muskegon Yacht Club.

See you soon.

Kathleen

231-744-8652 or thecheeselady@comcast.net

Boerenkaas, or "farmer's gouda ," is a traditionally made, raw-milk Gouda, the flavor harks back to centuries past. The cows are allowed to graze in the lush green fields near the low-lying peat bogs of Holland. I like it because it seems to have layers of flavor. It is so creamy and good. Boerenkaas is an excellent slicing and melting cheese, and is great for snacking.

Balarina Aged Goat Gouda is beautiful and caramel colored. I got it by mistake, but now I’m hooked. Remember I don’t like goat cheeses? Not true anymore. This Dutch goat's milk cheese is made in the manner of a traditional farmhouse Gouda. The result is a creamy silky cheese that is sharp and sour, with a sweet finish. This 2 year old goat gouda from Holland is incredible.

Prima Donna Blue or Young from the Netherlands. Nutty flavor, very sweet, smooth and creamy. Farm-made in 30-pound wheels, this is one of the rare Dutch cheeses that is not a Gouda (though it IS reminiscent of a Gouda.)  Made with skimmed milk (and thus slightly lower in fat than some cheeses), Prima Donna nonetheless melts in the mouth. 

Prima Donna Red or Aged from the Netherlands. It has much in common taste-wise with the aged gouda (actually pronounced how- da) from the same region. The cheese really has a sweet butterscotch-like flavor that is emboldened thanks to the little crystals (crystallized enzymes) contained within. This is a wonderful snacking or stand-alone cheese thanks to its melt-in-your-mouthability.