I'm linking this post to January's Fête du Fromage International Cheese Tasting Event taking place at Chez Loulou where wonderful cheeses from all over the world are being celebrated.
Normandy produces many cheeses but in this region, Calvados, three cheeses stand out above the rest.
I would think that most people have heard of Camembert but perhaps Livarot and Pont-l’Evêque will be new to you?
When dining out in any local restaurant le plateau de fromage will usually be offered before the dessert course. Quite often accompanied by a small glass of Calvados, apple brandy.
A favourite restaurant of ours is Le Pommier in Bayeux because of their Menu Saveurs Normandes.
I am quite partial to Camembert or Pont-l’Evêque which are soft and creamy textured cheeses and I usually return from the Thursday market in Le Molay Littry with one or both of these.
The Cheese Specialist.
Paired with a cup of home made vegetable soup and served with fresh crusty bread they make a simple but delicious lunch.
For myself I find Livarot is an acquired taste but I do enjoy it as part of a more formal meal.
The Cheeses of France is an excellent website full of information, click here to learn more about Normandy's specialities and do check in @ Loulou's place for the grand International Cheese Tasting Event.
Bon Appétit.
Maggie, the first time I had camembert was on a Hovercraft going from England to Belgium. I thought it was so good! You are in the best place for good cheese.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
My daughter would love this post! Every time we are at the grocery store, she picks up a wonderful chunk of imported cheese.
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. I have always said that my middle name was cheese! It somehow seems more elegant in French.
I love your new background.
Carol
The cheeses sound lovely. This is my year to try more cheeses and learn a bit about them.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
Pont L'eveque and Camembert are known to me, but not the others. While we have a fair selection of imported cheeses in our city, the taste over here is genereally for plainer cheeses - such a disappointment for a cheese lover. There's one shop I go to in Oak Bay that has a wonderful selection, and there's nothing nicer than fresh crusty bread, a glass of wine and a couple of new cheeses to sample.
ReplyDeleteTempting post!
It looks very good, Maggie. I have not tried it....Christine
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous post. I love the cheeses you selected to highlight. I learned as I read. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had Livarot - I will have to look for it in our local deli. We had cheese and biscuits for lunch today - lovely comfort food for the continuing bad weather!
ReplyDeleteYour old stamping ground also produces cheese now - Barkham Blue is probably the best - delicious !
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post because it reminded me of the wonderful time we had when we were in Normandy. We traveled to Pont L'Eveque and it was such a wonderful spot.
We tried so many different cheeses when we were there...I wish I could remember all of them.
Thanks for the memories!
Jane
Oh, French cheese, a loaf of bread, and a nice wine. What could be better. Thanks for sharing these, Maggie. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to la Fête du Fromage with your wonderful Normandy cheeses.
ReplyDeleteI've tried them all and think they are all worth recommending!
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered you blog tday!!
I too live in France, but further south..near the med :)
I love cheese and wine, so I am definetely in the right place :D
Lovely blog!!!
MMmmmmm, thanks!!! Ah, cheese, one of my weaknesses!
ReplyDeleteYou have yourself a wonderful weekend just full of blessings!!!
I visited Normandy (Rouen) last summer and really enjoyed the plateaux du fromage in the restaurants there. Livarot is one of my favorite cheeses, but then I'm a sucker for a stinky, washed-rind cheese. My only question is: where's the Neufchatel? :)
ReplyDeleteMaggie - I'm a cheese-aolic! Love them all but of course French cheeses are definitely my favorite! Camembert yum!! Thanks for the link to the cheese info. I'll bookmark it.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I love cheese--I think it's food of the gods. We can get the Norman cheeses here in Belgium, and we often buy them. But I never buy Pont L'eveque any more. We once left half of one in a locked car on a hot afternoon. PEEE-YEW! Luckily it was a rental car. We had to change it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cheese tour!
What a wonderful trio of cheeses! Your are lucky indeed to live where such excellent cheeses are made.
ReplyDeleteI'm hungry now! And all I have is Kraft Cheddar! How boring!
ReplyDeleteAnna
The good old Normand camembert!we can't live withoput it , can wee? CAtherine
ReplyDeleteBONJOUR, MS. NORMANDY I AM SO JEALOUS ,NORMANDY...... MAYBE SOMEDAY SOON I WILL GET THERE :) THANKS FOR BEING A NEW FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG & I LOVE YOURS, VISIT OFTEN & MERCI GIO
ReplyDeleteOh yum. I love trying different cheeses! Thanks for some new ideas.
ReplyDeleteYUMMMMM!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me at Tales from Bloggeritaville and also for commenting.
HUGS!
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com
What wonderful cheeses. You are so lucky to have access to them! Love your blog and plan on returning. Thanks for stopping in at "Flashback Friday" on my blog this week. I'd love to have to join in whenever convenient. Any flashback will do!
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