Kamil Perry
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from France's Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It was first produced in 1997 by the French dairy giant Lactalis, using traditional methods that shepherds and farmers employed over a century ago. The cheese is known for its creamy, nutty, and sweet flavor profile, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy mild yet flavorful cheeses. Its versatility in cooking makes it a favorite among home chefs. It can be enjoyed as a snack with fresh fruits, grilled vegetables, berries, cured meats, and even salads. It can also be melted into a hearty recipe or served on a cheese board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-soft, smooth, creamy, dry |
| Flavour | Mild, nutty, sweet, earthy, subtly fruity, "sheepy" |
| Visuals | Ivory-coloured paste, golden/light brown natural rind |
| Smell | Pungent, fresh and milky |
| Production | Pasteurized sheep's milk, aged for 70 days |
| Serving suggestions | Fruits, cured meats, grilled vegetables, berries, salads, French bread, ham, tomato, olives, paté, crackers, black cherry preserves |
| Wine pairing | Beaujolais, Merlot, Viognier |
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What You'll Learn
Pairing with fruits, grilled vegetables, or cured meats
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, semi-hard, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from France's Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It is known for its creamy, nutty, and sweet flavor profile, with a mildly "sheepy" taste. Its versatility in cooking makes it a favorite among home chefs.
When it comes to pairing Petit Basque with fruits, consider stone fruits such as peaches, apricots, or cherries. The cheese's inherent sweetness and nuttiness are enhanced when paired with these fruits. You can also serve it with other fruits like berries or black cherry preserves, creating an attractive comparison of salty and sweet flavors.
For grilled vegetables, Petit Basque is an excellent choice. Its smooth and creamy texture pairs well with a variety of grilled vegetables, adding a creamy and nutty dimension to the dish.
As for cured meats, Petit Basque is a perfect match. Its mild flavor profile complements cured meats such as ham, salami, or prosciutto. It can be served on French bread with ham and tomato or on a serving board with cured meats, olives, and pâté. The saltiness of the cured meats will contrast nicely with the creamy and nutty notes of the Petit Basque cheese.
In addition to these pairings, Petit Basque can also be melted over dishes or included on a cheese board for added variety. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed in a range of culinary settings, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate its mild yet flavorful character.
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Serving on a cheese board
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from the French Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It is known for its creamy, nutty, and sweet flavour profile, with a subtle hint of fruitiness. Its golden rind and smooth, pale interior make it a visually appealing addition to any cheese board.
When serving Petit Basque on a cheese board, it is essential to consider the cheese's flavour and texture to choose complementary accompaniments. Here are some suggestions for creating a well-rounded and delicious cheese board:
- Fruits and Nuts: The inherent sweetness and nuttiness of Petit Basque pair beautifully with fresh fruits and nuts. Stone fruits such as peaches, apricots, and cherries are excellent choices. You can also try pairing it with berries or dried fruits like raisins or apricots.
- Cured Meats: The salty, savoury flavours of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, or chorizo make a delightful contrast to the creamy sweetness of Petit Basque. Consider folding or rolling thin slices of cured meat around pieces of cheese for easy-to-eat bites.
- Bread and Crackers: French bread or a crusty baguette is an excellent vehicle for enjoying Petit Basque. You can also provide a variety of crackers, such as water crackers, wheat crackers, or crispbreads, to suit different preferences.
- Condiments and Spreads: Honey, particularly a dark variety such as forest honey, can complement the cheese's sweetness, while also providing a contrasting texture. Chutneys or fruit preserves, such as black cherry preserves, can also add a delightful touch of sweetness and a glossy appearance to the cheese board.
- Other Accompaniments: Consider adding some olives, cornichons, or pickled onions to the board for those who enjoy a tangy, briny contrast. Fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary sprigs can also be used as edible garnishes to enhance the flavour and appearance of the cheese board.
When creating your Petit Basque cheese board, aim for a balance of flavours, textures, and colours to elevate the cheese-tasting experience. Remember to allow the cheese to breathe and bring it to room temperature before serving to ensure optimal flavour and aroma.
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Melting into recipes
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, semi-hard, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from the French Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It has a nutty, buttery, and slightly earthy flavour, with a hint of grassiness. The cheese is known for its versatility in cooking, making it a favourite among home chefs.
When melted into recipes, Petit Basque can add a rich, nutty flavour and a creamy texture. Here are some ideas for incorporating melted Petit Basque into your dishes:
Creamy Basque Cheesecake
The famous Basque Cheesecake is an ultra-creamy, crustless cheesecake that originates from the Basque region of Spain, specifically Donostia-San Sebastian. It is known for its burnt, deep, rich, dark caramelized crust and custard-like centre. Petit Basque can be used as the cheese in this cheesecake, adding a rich and nutty flavour to the dessert. The high-temperature baking method causes the cheesecake to soufflé and burn on the surface, creating a unique and mouthwatering dessert.
Savoury Melts
Petit Basque can be melted into a variety of savoury dishes to add a creamy texture and nutty flavour. For example, it can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, added to pasta dishes, or incorporated into sauces and soups. Its mild flavour makes it a versatile ingredient that can enhance the taste of many savoury recipes without being overpowering.
Fondue
Petit Basque's creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes it an excellent choice for a fondue. Melted with some white wine and seasonings, it can become a delicious dip for bread cubes, vegetables, or cured meats. The nutty, buttery notes of the cheese will shine through and create a unique and indulgent fondue experience.
Baked Goods
Petit Basque can also be incorporated into baked goods, such as savoury muffins, scones, or bread. Its mild flavour and creamy texture can enhance the flavour and moisture of these baked goods, making them more indulgent and decadent.
By incorporating Petit Basque into these recipes, you can take advantage of its melting properties and versatile flavour profile to create delicious and memorable dishes.
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As a snack with crackers
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from the French Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It was first produced in 1997 by the French dairy giant Lactalis using traditional methods. The cheese is known for its creamy, nutty, and sweet flavor profile, with a mildly "sheepy" taste. Its golden rind and smooth, pale interior make it visually appealing on any cheese board. Its versatility in cooking makes it a favorite among home chefs.
When serving Petit Basque as a snack with crackers, there are a few things to keep in mind to enhance the cheese's flavor and presentation. Firstly, choose a cracker that complements the cheese's flavor. A neutral-flavored cracker, such as a water cracker or a plain crispbread, will allow the unique taste of the Petit Basque to shine through. If you prefer a heartier cracker, a whole grain or seeded variety can add a nice texture and flavor contrast.
To elevate the snack, consider adding some accompaniments to the crackers and cheese. Sliced or chopped fruits such as stone fruits (peaches, apricots), cherries, or berries can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese. You could also offer a small bowl of honey or fruit preserves on the side for guests to drizzle or spread on their crackers, creating a delightful sweet and salty combination.
For a more savory option, cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, or chorizo pair well with Petit Basque. Thinly sliced or folded meats can be placed directly on the crackers or served on the side. Olives and cornichons (tiny pickles) can also add a nice briny contrast to the creamy cheese.
When preparing the cheese, bring it to room temperature before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop. A wooden cheese curler can be used to create beautiful cheese flowers that will impress your guests. To keep the cheese fresh, use a plastic dome, especially when cleaning the knife between servings.
Finally, when it comes to presentation, a simple way to serve the crackers and cheese is to arrange them on a wooden board or platter. This allows your guests to help themselves and creates a rustic, inviting appearance. You can also provide a small plate and knife for each guest, allowing them to assemble their own crackers as they please. Enjoy your Petit Basque snack!
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Wine pairings
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, semi-hard, or medium-firm French cheese made from pasteurized sheep's milk. It has a creamy, nutty, and sweet flavor profile with a subtly "sheepy" taste. Its mild flavor and smooth texture make it a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many ways and paired with a variety of wines.
When it comes to wine pairings, Petit Basque goes well with most red wines. Beaujolais, Merlot, and Viognier are some of the recommended red wines that complement the cheese's nutty and fruity notes. The nuttiness of the cheese also makes it a good match for red wines with oaky flavors.
If you prefer white wine, Petit Basque can also be paired with a crisp and dry white, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio. These wines help to balance the cheese's sweetness and enhance its nutty characteristics.
For those who enjoy sweeter wines, a late-harvest dessert wine or a Moscato can be a delightful pairing. The salty and nutty characteristics of the cheese contrast beautifully with the sweetness of these wines, creating an intriguing flavor combination.
When serving Petit Basque with wine, it is best to allow the cheese to come to room temperature to fully appreciate its aroma and flavor. Presenting the cheese on a wooden cheese board or curler, along with some fresh or grilled fruits, cured meats, and crackers, can enhance the overall tasting experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Petit Basque is a semi-soft, semi-hard, pasteurized sheep's milk cheese from France's Basque region in the Pyrenees Mountains. It has a creamy, nutty, and sweet flavor profile.
Petit Basque has a mildly "sheepy," nutty, and somewhat fruity taste. It is known for its mild yet flavorful profile, making it perfect for all palates.
Petit Basque is a versatile cheese that can be served in a variety of ways. It can be enjoyed on its own, paired with fruits, nuts, cured meats, or grilled vegetables. It can also be melted over dishes or included in a cheese board.
Petit Basque goes well with most red wines, including Beaujolais, Merlot, and Viognier.
To store Petit Basque Cheese, wrap it in plastic wrap or, even better, the paper it came in if you purchased a chunk of cheese. Then, wrap that in plastic wrap to prevent molding.
