The holidays keep catching me off guard that they’re here ALREADY with Hanukkah coming up next Monday!! I know cheese is not usually featured in this celebration, but who doesn’t need a little snacky pre latke gorging?? And also, there are so many classic Hanukkah dishes that would pair sooo well with cheese, so incorporate right into the meal if that’s your pleasure! This is the time of year when our stomachs expand so we can have all the good things at once, no? THUS, cheese for Hanukkah:

Reading – Reading, Reading, oh you are delicious. Pronounced like Reading Railroad in Monopoly, this cheese should become a part of your usual rotation because it goes with everything, tastes like fresh hay, nuts, and roasted vegetables, has a tasty rind that is also a very pretty pink color, and melts like a dream. Cut this Vermont cow’s milk cheese into generous rectangles so everyone can grab it easily to stave off hunger as they smell your succulent brisket roasting in the oven.

Epoisses – I want something soft and strong to be part of the “we’re waiting for the brisket” portion of the celebration. Epoisses is a super classic French cheese with a wrinkly exterior that hints at the funky flavors to within. It is very savory, almost meaty, and can be eaten in large smooshes on bread. While not for the meek, it is not so stinky that it drives everyone out of the house. If this is something you want however, leave it on your counter for like a week and you’ll have your house all to yourself! Usually though, people love it and it’ll be gone in a flickity flash. 

Aged Bloomsday – Ok we’re past the savory, and now onto the sweet with sufganiyot (irresistible jelly donuts, NOM). Aged Bloomsday, a cow’s milk cheese from Connecticut, is sharp and sweet, and will be a refreshing wakeup for your palate after a bite of rich donut. I’m picturing bite of sufganiyot, bite of Aged Bloomsday, bite of sufganiyot, bite of Aged Bloomsday. Warning: this could go on for a while causing one to eat many donuts and many ounces of cheese because dang, it’s good.

Happy Hanukkah, friends!

For the love of cheese and any excuse to add cheese to any situation,

Kiri