There’s something of the déjà vu about Sage Derby. I feel nostalgic for it, it reminds me of my childhood but I haven’t the foggiest idea why. I never remember eating it or seeing it in the house. I grew up in the next door county so perhaps it was always on the supermarket shelves (I was going to say pub menus but in those days it was all chicken-in-a-basket and a piece of Stilton on the cheeseboard would have been the talk of the town.) So, I don’t know why I think I know Sage Derby. Mum, if you’re reading this (and sometimes I fear it’s only my Mum reading), let me know if we ever ate Sage Derby.
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Tag Archives: cheese
Fowlers Sage Derby
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The Perfect Autumn Cheeseboard?
I’ve been pondering when to write this post. Any piece of writing about autumn has to legally include the words ‘mists’ and ‘mellow fruitfulness’ but, although strictly speaking, autumn in the UK started last Sunday, I just haven’t been feeling it. It’s been too warm and not very misty, mellow or fruitful at all. Even the conkers aren’t ripe. But then, this morning, I saw this on my walk:
A dewy spider’s web in front of some browning acorns! Lo, it was a sign! I declare autumn officially open.
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Mouth Almighty Lancashire Cheese
I’m a bit cynical about celebrities and ‘their’ products. I find it hard to believe that Britney Spears is really out the back chopping up lychees, quinces and civet cat testicles to make her perfume or that Frank Lampard is holed up in his garret, writing children’s stories (or writing joined-up letters, quite frankly). So when I heard that Sean Wilson – or ‘Martin Platt off Coronation Street’ as he’s been called for the last thirty years or so – was making cheese now, I’ll confess, I thought ‘Yeah, of course he is…’
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Quicke’s Cheddar Cheese and Beer Soup
I’m determined not to put the heating on until October but this autumn weather is certainly trying my resolve (hailstones anyone?!) So, it’s ridiculous Nordic cardigans, hot water bottles and comfort food all the way here. Rocket, lettuce and radishes have all fallen by the wayside in favour of starchy root vegetables and soups have kicked out salads. I first came across Cheese and Beer Soup in Kirstin Jackson’s exploration of American cheese, It’s Not You, It’s Brie. It sounded very British – beer, cheese, together in a bowl – so I was surprised to find that it’s a classic American dish that hails from Wisconsin, the dairy capital of the States. There didn’t seem to be any trace of it here at all and it seemed like we were missing a trick.
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Filed under Cheese Recipes
A Big Cheesy Love Story
When I started this cheese adventure back in May, hoping to educate myself in all things cheesy, I envisaged myself scoffing back stinky French wedges and holey Swiss slices in my quest for fromage knowledge. Guzzling Gorgonzola, snaffling Saint-Marcellin and pigging out on Parmesan were all part of the plan. Then I read a bit more and was determined to try Norwegian Brown Cheese (Gjetost), Sardinian Maggot’s Cheese (Casu Marzu) and Mauritanian Camel’s Cheese (Caravane). But something rather unexpected happened along the way.
I fell in love with British cheese.
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