Author: Maritza Cuellar

A grilled cheese is a grilled cheese, right? As if! If you’re anything like me, then a grilled cheese sandwich was probably the first thing you learned to cook by yourself using the pre-wrapped cheese slices that shall remain unnamed. Why not do yourself some justice and gift yourself some of the cheesy, comforting goodness you deserve with a gourmet grilled cheese?

Take that old tried-and-true grilled cheese sandwich up a notch (or ten) by exploring all of the cheeses that The DLM Cheese Shops have to offer. The possibilities are endless! From the spicy, tangy flavors of goat cheeses, like Humboldt Fog, to the smooth, velvety flavors of the Comté Saint-Antoine Gruyère, we’ve got five sure-fire ways to elevate you to grilled cheese gourmand status:

1. FOGGY BOTTOM. Take our Raisin Walnut Bread as a base and add Humboldt Fog goat cheese plus a few slices of Prosciutto di Parma for a perfect salty-creamy bite.

2. THE ULTIMATE. Take two awesome cheeses, Comté St. Antoine Gruyère plus Barber’s 1833 Vintage Cheddar, put them on our classic Unbleached White Sandwich Bread, and you get a simply perfect grilled cheese.

3. DELISH. The perfect grilled cheese for brunch! Take slices of Deer Creek’s The Doe, stack them between slices of Sesame Seed Bread that is spread with DLM Apricot Preserves, and grill until golden brown.

4. THE RETRO. We love the retro flavor of DLM Pimento Cheese Dip paired with DLM Uncured Bacon piled between buttered slices of Farmhouse Bread.

5. CAPRESE. This is a toasty and gooey take on the flavors of a caprese salad: DLM Handmade Mozzarella, thinly sliced Roma tomato, fresh basil leaves, and Ciabatta Bread.

Nothing is as easy, and yet so impressive, as a cheese board for home entertaining. If your friends and family are anything like mine, cheese is a must for almost every occasion. But how do you make a cheese board? I find that a lot of people are intimidated when it comes to assembling a crowd-pleasing cheese board. To begin, set aside your doubts about finding the right combination. While it is possible, it is incredibly hard to come up with a bad pairing.

To start, ask yourself: Are you hosting a casual get-together or a formal affair? How many people? Any known likes or dislikes? These are good questions to consider, and don’t be afraid to talk to your DLM cheesemongers. It’s our job to steer you in the right direction. If your experience hasn’t surpassed Kraft singles, don’t worry! We’ll get you to where you want to be.

Pro-Tip 1: Set the Framework (aka the cheese!)

I personally like to use about three to five different cheeses. Of course, you can do more, but it’s easy to overload the senses, so keep it simple. When selecting cheeses for my boards, I think of a rhyme I once learned: Something old, something new, something goat, and something blue. Make this your motto and you’ll have the framework for the perfect cheese board. If you are looking for specific recommendations, here is a selection to give you variety: Humboldt Fog, Camembert, P’tit Basque, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Danish Blue. 

Pro Tip 2: Finesse with Accompaniments

Once you’ve chosen your cheeses, have fun with sweet and salty accompaniments, from assorted crackers and cured meats, to fresh fruit and cornichons. The possibilities are always fun and endless!

Pro Tip 3: Finish & Serve!

To keep your board from looking like a battle site by the end of the night, cut your cheeses before placing them on the board, but not too far in advance as to keep them from drying out. Try thin slices from the rind to the center to showcase flavors from the inside out that the cheese has developed through aging. For soft, crumbly cheeses, leave them whole and provide a spreader for your guests to use. Lastly, don’t forget about the one-hour rule; to maximize the flavors of your cheese, allow them to sit at room temperature for at least an hour prior to serving. Now, let’s get started with making some cheese board magic!