Cheeky Cow Cheese

Here at The Amazing Blog, we love decadent cheeses with our crackers and wine. Our latest search for a yummy new cheese to try lead us to Cheeky Cow cheeses, which are lactose free, have 50% less fat and 30% less salt than regular cheeses and contain only 80 calories per 30 gram serving.

This new cheese is made by Cricketer Farms, a Somerset-based dairy farm with a motivated team of 30 dairy farmers across West Country. They are one of the first dairy companies in the country to sign up for the Voluntary Dairy Code of Practice back in 2012, showing their commitment to quality first-hand. Their cheeses are said to be the healthiest alternative to full-fat cheddar cheeses currently on the market, with high levels of protein and calcium.

At the office, we loved the Cheeky Cow cheeses and their great taste. The individually wrapped cheese packets were an easy way to enjoy a healthy on-the-go snack, while the larger block of cheese could be grated over pasta dishes or cut up to share with friends. The cheese has a sharp cheddar taste that complemented crackers and grapes perfectly.

To support local farmers while enjoying delicious British cheese, head to their online shop here to pick up your own packs of Cheeky Cow cheese.

Soft Sage - Doughballs

Here at The Amazing Blog we know everyone loves nibbles and do you know what everyone loves even more? Doughballs and cheese, mustn't forget the cheese! We've all been in the situation when there is one left on the plate and everyone wants it. Now, imagine that pressure and awkwardness times 10 because these dough balls are extra special AND we have a packed office... Oh my goodness we were just in heaven withSoft Sage‘s beautifully delicious gluten free dough balls and unlike others, these contain no added sugar, yeast, wheat corn, codex wheat starch or xanthan gum.

We were really impressed with the entire operation that Soft Sage is running. Not only are they able to get frozen products which then need to be baked safely through the post, they also offered to come cook them for us. Luckily for us we can operate an oven with some flair, so we declined this gracious offer. Hot out of the oven, these little balls of gluten free dough (VIP to mention!) and potato are just divine. We tried the Tomato, Basil & Cheese, Original Cheese, Garlic & Cheese, and Rosemary & Cheese flavours which were all delicious and perfectly sized for normal snacking or party hors d'oeuvres. We particularly liked the Rosemary & Cheese doughballs, as the infusion of the two flavours worked so well together and they were definitely the most popular here in the office. They are fast, tasty and easy to cook and you can serve these little bites of heaven in the happy knowledge that they’re free from preservatives, flavourings and gluten. We highly recommend getting a stash of theses and keeping them in your freezer for when you have some unexpected guests - they'll soon be inviting themselves back for more!

Soft SageDoughballs are available here for £3.50 for a pack of 10.

Vallebona – Cheese and Honey

We here at The Amazing Blog always have an appetite for exploring new gourmet foods, so when our friends at Vallebona Sardinian Gourmet  contacted us, our stomachs were rumbling!  This family owned delicatessen is a proud, leading supplier of gourmet Sardinian and Italian produce within the UK.

With history dating back to the 1890’s, this business has been providing genuine Italian foods to homes, restaurants and cafés in the UK for over a decade.  Vallebona offers Artisan Cheeses, carefully selected Italian wines, various honeys, salami and other Italian delicacies that provide healthy, modern options to British cuisine and home cooking.   The company is currently owned and operated by the Stefano Vallebona, the great grandson of the original owner and continues to maintain connections with suppliers from that date to the start of the business.  Vallebona’s dedication to its roots assures customers of its truly authentic Italian foods.

Sensing our hunger for something new, Vallebona delivered delicious Pecorino Rosso Cheese and Honey with White Truffle to our office doorstep!  Pecorino Rosso is a Sardinian pecorino cheese (from the island of Sardina) and is made primarily of local Sardinian sheep milk.  The creamy, medium texture of Percorino Rosso makes the cheese easily scoop-able and the perfect accompaniment to Honey with White Truffle.  This speciality cheese is offered in blocks of 200g and 1kg.  A 200g block of Percorino Rosso Cheese can be found here for £3.20 .  The Vallebona Sardinian Gourmet Honey with White Truffle is a light acacia honey dotted with generous pieces of truffle.  This delectable combination makes for an intensely flavoured honey; Honey with White Truffle is an ideal complement when drizzled over the Pecorino Rosso.  The honey is offered in various size containers of 45g, 120g and 250g.  A 45g jar of Vallebona’s Honey with White Truffle can be found here for £3.92 .  The Pecorino cheese and Honey with White Truffle can also be purchased as a set, along with a suggested recipe and a 50g bag of Music Paper Bread for £12 here .

 Vallebona also invites you to sample their authentic Italian goods, in-store on Saturdays while you shop at their warehouse deli in Wimbledon .  Vallebona Sardinian Gourmet Pecorino Rosso cheese, Honey with White Truffle and other gourmet items can be purchased online here  with free delivery for orders over £50.  Buon Appetito (Good eating)!

Award Winning Appleby Creamery Cheeses

 

At The Amazing Blog we are always on the edge of our seat when we receive a new package that contains food samples. We were delightfully surprised when Appleby Creamery sent us a couple of their award winning cheeses. We knew before we even tasted the different assortment of cheeses, that we were in for a treat.

We started out tasting the handmade Eden Sunset cheddar cheese that was jam packed with flavour. The Eden Sunset is a hard-pressed cheese that can be easily sliced into small pieces. The cheese has a buttery taste to it but not too overpowering. When lunch time rolled around, it was the perfect cheese that complimented my whole-grain crackers and left me wanting more. For the last week, we have all shared the cheese on our snack breaks and every time we cannot stop raving about how wonderful it is.

The real treat was the Eden Valley Smoked Brie. I have never really been a fan of Brie, but this was exceptional. After just a small nibble of it and I was hooked. It was perfectly ripened with the gooey texture all the way through - now that's  what I call 'real' Brie! This is the way Brie should be crafted, but rarely is.  I decided to let my friends taste and test the Smoked Brie at supper a couple of nights ago. I serve cheese pre-dessert (possibly just a Spanish/continental thing?!) and they were in absolute heaven when they paired this Brie with the figs and grapes on delicious Bath Oliver biscuits.  Sadly, it was all gone far too quickly...

Take your guests by surprise by serving any of the Appleby Creamery's Cheeses  You truly can't go wrong by purchasing Eden Sunset or Eden Valley Smoked Brie since they have both been awarded the Gold Award at the Cumbria Life - Taste Cumbria Awards in 2013. With the experienced team of 5 cheese makers with over 80 years of experience, they certainly won't let you or your dinner guests down. You can purchase Appleby Creamery's different cheeses on-line. All I can say is hurry up Waitrose and stock these cheeses as you are so missing a trick!