My favorite way though to eat Roquefort is on a cheese plate with some fruit. The salty tangy creaminess is balanced well against pears and apples. This is a very simple, clean little nibble that will happily start any dinner party or join a parade of party food. This can also double for a dessert and is especially festive at the holidays. In one rendition I candied the walnuts and even sprinkled some gingerbread crumbs.
Roquefort is like champagne; it has a protected designation of origin and by European law only bears the name when aged in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. France has Roquefort; Italy has Gorgonzola, both very loved and popular blue cheeses, but there is another distinction aside from geography. Roquefort is a raw sheep’s milk cheese and Gorgonzola comes from cow’s milk. I have a big love for sheep’s milk cheese so I’m more likely to choose Roquefort whenever I want blue cheese. This particular selection from Ile de France is outstanding. You can see details for their generous give away below. Although I was sent this cheese complimentary, I only agreed to write about it if it was something I truly love. If you read the history of Ile de France cheese, you will find out some fascinating cheese facts. They were the first company to import Brie cheese to America in 1936 and that was one happy day as far as I’m concerned.
Roquefort is a beautiful cheese with gorgeous blue color. Very tangy and salty. A little goes a long way, which is exactly what I want in a party food or a dessert.
The balancing act here is the sweetness of the pear or apple and the crunchy texture of the walnut with that special note of Roquefort. It’s not just a beautiful tray to set out either before a meal, after a meal or at party. It is a special taste of flavors.
I was sent this Roquefort to sample from Ile de France. And, the great news is that Ile de France is giving one lucky reader a beautiful gift.
Rules for Giveaway:
Deadline is December 23 rd at 3:00 Eastern time, 2:00 Center, Noon Pacific Time. Winner will be selected randomly.
United States mailing addresses only. Prize will be shipped by Ile de France Cheese.
How to Enter Giveaway:
- Leave a comment telling me what you would serve with your cheese tray.
Increase your chances to win by doing one or all of the following. Leave a separate comment for each letting me know you did.
- Follow IDFCheese and Spinach Tiger on twitter. If you already follow, leave separate comment letting me know.
- Subscribe to Spinach Tiger. If you already do, it still counts as an entry. Leave comment.
- Tweet. Enter to win a cheese pack with dome and cheese knife from
@IDFCheese via @spinachtiger http://bit.ly/rYjkca
Winner will be announced on Friday, December 23, when I post another recipe for Roquefort Cheese using purple potatoes. Please make sure I can email you back.
| Pears with Roquefort and Ile de France Give Away |
- 2 Pears, sliced thin-to medium (can also use apples or a combination)
- squeeze of lemon over each pear or apple slice
- Roquefort Cheese (1 teaspoon per pear slice)
- Walnuts, toasted (one half per slice)
- Pomegranate arils (2-3 per pear slice)
- Gingerbread crumbs
- to sprinkle (optional)
- Prepare right before serving, Slice pears.
- Squeeze lemon juice. top just the tip with cheese, walnut, pomegranate. If you want to have some fun, top with some crumbled gingerbread cookie.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Love fruit and cheese together. Will be thrilled to win a sampler
Hmmm! Cheese…Roquefort…mmmm! Roquefort with apples, especially sweet ones to offset the saltiness of the cheese…Love the way you combined with pears! Toss in a wedge of brie for contrast, and maybe havarti as well. Crusty breads…maybe the ciabatta that’s rising… Cheese…is the BEST!
that is a perfect combination!
Cheers,
Rosa
There isll be some local “goatgonzola” on my holiday cheese tray this year!!
I like pears and grapes on my cheese trays
I follow both on Twitter as eyreka1
If I won, I would have friends over and serve it up with some mixed nuts and wine
or crumble it (depending on the cheese, some are too delicious and deserve to be devoured as a stand-alone item) into a salad…. with nuts and wine ;D
Roquefort is a sure favorite at our house. 5 Star Foodie Junior always loved blue cheese since she was tiny. Perfect with pears of course!
Fruit and crusty bread with any cheese is perfect!
french bread and hard salami with cheese on our trays
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Definitely grapes
I would serve Gorgonzola cheese with a tart crisp sliced apple and some melba toasts.
Angela, I was trying to resist the calories, but you wore me down with all the photos and info on FB! Now I have to get some Roquefort and maybe some gorgonzola for a taste test. I did not know one was sheep and one was cow. I think I would like it with pears, pecans praline and maybe a glass of port on the side. Ok, definitely a glass of port on the side
EARS AND APPLES ON THE TRAY, WITH ASST CHEESES looks great
Hmmm, about 4 cheeses, pears, apples, grapes and water crackers.
I would make a savory bluecheese cheesecake and serve it with crackers and fruit.
Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola topped with a raspberry and drizzled with honey!! Easy and beautifully impressive!
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Crusty bread and cheese, maybe a few Clementine sections and of course, pears.
I like to pur a little sweetness on the cheese and also serve it as you do. I am tweeting and facebooking….:]
Angela, you’re a real star when it comes to combining flavours. I especially love the pomegranate in this!
If you made it, I’d serve it with the cheese tray. XO HAPPY HOLIDAYS GREG
In Canada so not entering
but I am in the I LOVE blue cheese category, Bleu d’Auvergne is my fave. Your pairing with pears and walnuts is perfect.
I follow you on twitter (but no idea how to use it, LOL.)
Also subscribed to your wonderful blog!
Following IDF Cheese on twitter. Tried to tweet them, to let them know I’m there via you, no idea if I succeeded, LOL.
What a wonderfully simple app for the holidays…Ile De France Blue with fresh pear slices and pom seeds….perfect. I love blue cheese and have a recipe for a simple savory cheesecake using blue cheese as an ingredient topped with caramelized apple slices…..Yum.
No cheese tray is complete without Marcona almonds, honey and dates. Those are the three faves for sure. Salty cheese deserves crunchy and sweet partners. Delicious apps!
I’d love to serve an array of goats milk cheeses with pears, crackers, and wine!
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These look so cute and elegant! I just can’t figure out why I can’t eat blue cheese! Something about the taste of it doesn’t sit right with me, but god whenever I see recipes like this, I really wish I would love it. Maybe I will one day, right?
Une terrible association à la Française qui me plait beaucoup, ce fromage est exceptionnel
Je te souhaite un bon mardi
Valérie.
some apples and crackers
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Mmmm. I think I have to steal this for my New year’s Day brunch..served maybe with olive ciabatta. Love.
I’d serve the cheese with french bread and grapes.
I made some caramelized pear jam with vanilla bean, and it goes so well with cheese!
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I love blue cheese too (though I was a bit of a late starter and didn’t really get the taste for it until my mid-20s). It’s such a natural partner with pears isn’t it … I often make a warm salad of spinach, bacon, roasted pears, and blue cheese. I love this presentation – especially love the inclusion of the pomegranate.
xo
I’m not a big fan of blue cheese but I like it when it paired with fruits and nuts! I like serving some honey or aged balsamic vinegar along with parmigiano reggiano.
Pears so go perfectly with cheese
This sounds amazing. Perfect for the holidays!
I always have a variety of cheese whenever I entertain. (Or at home for myself) I always am sure to include crackers.
I will fill my beautiful strawberries and serve it as santa hat!! How cute is that..or may be stuffed olives?