Randy Chandler
Le Fromager by Fromager d'Affinois is a French cheese produced in the Rhone-Alpes region using milk from cows that are free of artificial hormones. It is a double-cream cheese, meaning cream is added during production to reach 60% butterfat. This cheese is produced using a special method of ultra-filtration, resulting in a silky, smooth, and even texture with a mild, sweet, creamy, and buttery flavour. Le Fromager is a versatile cheese that can be served in various ways. It can be spread on crackers, baguettes, or oatcakes, paired with fresh fruit or jam, or served alongside cured meats. In the French style, it can be served as part of a cheese course after the main course and before dessert, with wine, or enjoyed as a snack or sandwich filling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Silky, creamy, smooth, thick |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, buttery, earthy, pungent, aromatic |
| Type of milk | Cow's milk |
| Type of cheese | Double-cream, Brie-like |
| Pairings | Crackers, baguette, cured meats, jam, fruit |
| Serving | On a cheese board, as part of a meal, in recipes |
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What You'll Learn
Le Fromager on a cheese board
Le Fromager is a versatile and delicious cheese that can be a welcome guest on any cheese board. This French cheese is produced using a special method of "ultra-filtration", which creates a very silky and even texture that melts in the mouth. The flavour is mild, like cream and white mushrooms, and it is produced with a very thin rind to ensure a smooth, consistent, and flavour-packed profile.
When preparing a cheese board, it is important to consider the other cheeses that will be included. A French proverb states that "a meal without cheese is like a day without sunshine", so it is worth choosing carefully to ensure the cheese board shines brightly! One suggestion is to include cheeses from different "cheese families", such as cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk cheeses. For example, a cow's milk cheese like Comté, a sheep's milk cheese like Ossau-Iraty, and a soft-ripened goat cheese. Another option is to choose cheeses from different regions, such as Brie from Paris, Camembert from Normandy, or Epoisses from Burgundy.
Le Fromager is a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with most things. It can be spread on a soft baguette with some fresh fruit, topped with jam, or served next to cured meats. It is also delicious on crackers or oatcakes, especially with a dollop of sour cherry spread or jam for a bite reminiscent of cheesecake. If serving with wine, it is common to simply continue drinking the same wine that was served with the main course. However, if another bottle is needed, a Riesling is a good choice as its brightness and tang offer a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese.
When serving a cheese board, the French typically place the cheese tray in the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves. This simple presentation lets the cheese shine and allows guests to indulge in as much cheese as they wish!
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Pairing Le Fromager with wine
Le Fromager is a soft, creamy, brie-like cheese with a thin rind and a mild flavour. Its silky texture and buttery taste make it a versatile cheese that pairs well with most wines.
When it comes to wine and cheese, there are no set rules, but some classic pairings work well together. Le Fromager is a double-cream cheese, similar to Brie, and pairs well with sparkling wines like Champagne or California Sparkling Wine. The bubbles in these wines cleanse the palate, breaking down the acids and fats in the cheese. Sparkling wines also have a degree of acidity and sweetness that gives them a special affinity for rich, buttery cheeses like Le Fromager.
If you prefer white wine, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry white would be a good choice. The acidity in these wines complements the mild flavour of Le Fromager, while the dryness of the wine cuts through the cheese's richness. Chenin Blanc, a white wine from the Loire Valley in France, is also a good option, as it pairs well with French goat cheeses, which have similar characteristics to Le Fromager.
For red wine lovers, a bold Merlot or a Pinot Noir would be a good choice. The high tannins in these wines are balanced by the fat content in Le Fromager, creating a delicious contrast. Aged, firm cheeses are typically recommended with red wines, but a softer cheese like Le Fromager can also work well, adding a creamy texture to the pairing.
In conclusion, Le Fromager's versatility means it can be enjoyed with a variety of wines. Whether you prefer sparkling, white, or red, you can find a pairing that complements the cheese's creamy texture and mild flavour. So, feel free to experiment and find the combination that suits your taste!
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Le Fromager as a sandwich filling
Le Fromager d’Affinois is a French cheese that is similar to brie but with a double cream texture, making it twice as rich. It has a mild, creamy flavour and a silky, even texture. When used as a sandwich filling, it is best grilled to achieve that gooey, melty texture.
To make a Le Fromager grilled cheese sandwich, start by buttering one side of each slice of bread. You can use any sliced bread, but it should not be too thick, too thin, too soft, or too holey. Sourdough is a good option. Heat a skillet or a pan over medium-low heat and place a slice of bread, butter-side down, on the pan. Pile on the cheese and top with another slice of bread, with the buttered side facing up. Grill until the underside is golden brown and the cheese is beginning to melt. Carefully flip the sandwich and grill the other side until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve hot!
For a dressed-up version, try making a Le Fromager grilled cheese sandwich with a blueberry compote. Cook frozen blueberries over medium-low heat until bubbling. Make a slurry with potato starch and a few tablespoons of water, and pour it into the blueberries while stirring. Once it reaches the consistency of a thin compote, remove from the heat and set aside. Prepare the sandwich as described above, grilling both sides until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve hot and enjoy the perfect combination of creamy cheese, sweet berries, and crispy bread.
You can also experiment with different types of cheese in your grilled cheese sandwich. For that great cheesy pull, try Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Muenster. For a touch of heat, add crushed red pepper or pickled jalapeños. Fresh herbs like basil, thyme, dill, and oregano pair well with various cheeses. Get creative and find the combination that pleases your palate!
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Le Fromager as a pre-dinner appetiser
Le Fromager is a decadent double-crème cheese with a thick, silky texture and a sweet, milky flavour. It is produced in the Rhone-Alpes region of France using pasteurised cow's milk and is suitable for vegetarians.
When serving Le Fromager as a pre-dinner appetiser, it is best to keep it simple and light, as the French do, to refresh and sustain your guests before the main course. There are a few ways to serve Le Fromager as an appetiser: on a cheese board with crackers or baguette slices, spread on a soft baguette with some fresh fruit and topped with jam, or served with cured meats.
If you want to get a little more creative, you can try serving Le Fromager with Carr's Water Crackers or Effie's Homemade Oatcakes and a dollop of Divina Sour Cherry Spread, reminiscent of cheesecake. You could also add some prosciutto to this combination, as the saltiness of the meat will complement the sweetness of the cheese and jam.
Le Fromager is a versatile cheese that pairs well with most foods, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of crackers, fruits, jams, and meats to find your favourite appetiser combination.
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Le Fromager as a dessert
Le Fromager is a creamy, soft cheese with a strong flavour. It is a washed-rind cheese, so it has a slightly stinky aroma. When served as a dessert, Le Fromager can be the star of the show, with its rich and unique flavour.
To serve Le Fromager as a dessert, it is best to offer a small selection of other cheeses as well, perhaps two or three in total. This provides a contrast of flavours and textures, and gives your guests a variety of options. A plain baguette is a must, and a simple, lightly dressed salad can also help to refresh the palate between cheeses.
When choosing your other cheeses, you could select a hard cheese, a soft cheese, and a goat's cheese, for example. Or, you could serve cheeses from the same region, or different types of milk. A mild, creamy goat's cheese log topped with a maple blueberry compote would be a delicious contrast to the stronger flavours of Le Fromager. A sweet, mellow sheep's milk cheese such as Petit Basque would also pair well. If you want to serve a blue cheese, then Rogue River Blue from Oregon is a sweet, boozy option, wrapped in grape leaves macerated in pear brandy.
The French often serve their cheese course with the wine they drank during the main course. If you need to open another bottle, a Riesling is a good choice, as its brightness and tang offer a nice contrast to the richness of the cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
Le Fromager cheese is a French double-crème brie-style cheese with a thin rind and a silky texture. It is best served as part of a cheese course after the main course and can be served before or as dessert.
Le Fromager cheese can be served with crackers, baguette slices, cured meats, fresh fruit, or fruit preserves.
If you are drinking wine with your meal, it is typical to simply finish the bottle with your cheese course. If you need to open another bottle, a Riesling is a good choice as its brightness and tang offer a nice contrast to the richness of the cheese.
To keep your le fromager cheese fresh, store it in a specially designed cheese wrap or bag that allows the cheese to breathe while also preventing it from drying out.
