Goat cheese coated in a tempting assortment of spicy and nut flavorings
I must've looked like a crazed, dangerous woman entering into La Maison du Fromage. With nostrils instinctively twitching, flaring, and breathing - no, inhaling - the bold pungency that exuded from within, it took every ounce of willpower to stick to "the plan". The plan? That's right, a plan to buy only what we could reasonably finish and not burn a hole in MotH's wallet. I had been waiting for months to finally make it to this place...such is our lust for cheese. Run by a mother, daughter and granddaughter team, they entice the cheese gourmet with the best the region has to offer - local prosciutto, sausages, breads... A plethora of pasta and local products beckon seductively from racks and shelves, ensuring that you simply can not leave without making a few purchases to bring home. The dumbstruck gaze on my face with Canon in hand said enough. "Signora, plain or with nuts?" the young woman asks me. She was offering a free bar of chocolate as MotH had engaged in lively conversion with the owner. It pays to be a wannabe foodie journalist.
1. La Thuile (center town) 2. Inside La Maison du Fromage 3. Arnad le Vieux salami
4. Tegole 5. Pan ner (black bread) on a rastrelliere 6. Capriolo - a soft cheese made w/cow & goat milk
...and then there's chocolate
A short walk up the street from La Maison du Fromage, a chocolate shop appropriately named Chocolat beckons like the lure of a siren call. We answered the call alright, but they were closed for the afternoon siesta. See you next time...
“Olives from Provence” - toasted Provence almonds coated in layer of dark chocolate then coated again in white chocolate that has been colored green and black.
...and places to stop in for a bite
Comments
TK
Have a wonderful weekend, Rowena!
You just don't know which way to turn!!
I do normally try most things, but eating Lardo... not sure!!
Great stuff...
The photos are amazing.
It looks like you found your heaven, Ro.
As usual, everything looks so ono.
:)
I'd normally not try something that's made primarily with fatback, but since you said it's good, I would go for that sandwich.
CC Linda - yes, and hit those powdery slopes for me because I'm no skier. The region is just so gorgeous any time of year.
Janie, Laura - mahalos...it was a pain choosing which pic to share here...I shot almost 300 images in 4 days :-o!
Petra - I know it sounds like we must eat a ton of cheese everyday, but in truth it is far less. And the trick to lowering cholesterol, or so I've heard, is to have red wine with a cheese course. Seems to work for me ^-^
Anne - one of these days someone will catch me on film when I'm staking out a place. Typically I study the outside displays if there are any, then I look in the window display before going in. You won't believe how many times I've asked "What's that cheese/dessert/product in the window?" :-DDDDDDDDDDD
Frizzy - I couldn't have said it better myself regarding lardo, but I must warn you...ehhh...errrr...something is coming up on these pages and you may be put off by the sheer idea of it!!
Peter - I'm just sorry that your "roots" are located quite a distance from where I'm at. I would so love to explore the southern regions of Italy more often.
AmyEmilia - thank you, and you bet that the lardo from Colonnata is excellent stuff (supposedly better than the one from Arnad).
Casalba, Sophie - thank you ladies, there will be more to come!!
I love goat cheese (as well as a bunch of smelly French cheeses) but I can't really find them in Canada. Taste different and they are so expensive...
Nice pictures!
Not THAT would be paradise...