This St. Patrick's Day, take the opportunity to sample some of Ireland's wonderful cheeses as part of a cheese course or appetizer spread.Most people are familiar with delicious Dubliner cheese (actually created not in Dublin but in Ballineen in West Cork) but there are so many others to fall in love with. Among the most well-known are Gubbeen also made in West Cork, Durrus raw cows' milk farmhouse cheese, Blarney by Kerrygold and the Roquefort style cheese known to gourmets as Cashel Blue, made in Tipperary. Looking for something a little different? Try a vintage Cheddar Irish Whiskey Cheese made with Kilbeggan Whiskey or Cahill's Porter, a hand-crafted Irish Cheddar made with Porter. If not readily available at a shop, most of these cheeses may be purchased online and are well worth the effort.
Of course, many Irish cheeses are perfectly fabulous served with Irish soda bread. Personally I also enjoy many of them with the assertive taste and rustic texture of rye crispbreads. If serving Irish cheeses as part of a larger appetizer spread, also be sure to include some incredible Irish smoked salmon for a traditional and tasty touch. And don't forget to enjoy a fine Irish beer with your feast - Guinness, Harp and Smithwick's are the most well-known, but O'Hara's is quickly gaining in popularity. Ireland also has a few wineries, primarily in Cork. Most Irish wines tend to be whites, which accompanies the smoked salmon and most cheeses very well.
Sláinte!
