Amsterdam Cheese event – Philipsburg

Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store event.

The Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store  has done it again!
Amsterdam Cheese, SXM has once again put on a great evening. They hold events every now and then. Sometimes there is a Happy Hour with tables and chairs are set up on the deck and in the parking lot. Sometimes there is a musician. Sometimes there is a raffle, yes, fun times.
Always there is cheese, and very good cheese at that. Dutch cheese, the good stuff!

On this particular occasion we went for a “6 course” cheese tasting with wine pairing. The cheese was all about “Old Amsterdam.” What a revelation, this cheese is divine.

I arrived quite early and paid up my $40 for the night, then went to Chesterfields to while away a bit of time. When I went into to the store a group of waitstaff were putting together great looking cheese balls. They looked good enough to eat and I thought “cocktails” but actually these were not to be seen – they must have been made for an order at another party.

When I returned after my wee sojourn at Chesty’s I found a lovely set table and at the high counter  plenty of glasses were laid ready and waiting along with bottles of fresh water.

Looking elegant it promised good things to come. Reservations were limited for this event.

It is lovely to meet and mingle and this event was all about that while we shared our love of good wine and excellent cheese.

Here you go – and there was plenty to eat.

First up we had water crackers with salmon, thinly shaved cucumber, topped with capers – the cheese part was an eye opener, spread on the cracker was a wonderful creamy old Amsterdam cheese spread.

The flavour with the salmon (which was not skimped on) was a delight.

Paired with this was a nice white Jules LaRose – which I did not try.

2^nd course was a soup, seriously I was blown away especially when I heard the simplicity of the recipe. Just Gouda, Old Amsterdam and vegetable stock was used. The kick from the cheese and flavour of the stock could only possibly have been improved with the addition of a red pepper flake or two – you know how delicious a cheese fondue is, well this was as good, in fact even better, as no bread was involved.

 

The liqud was smooth and at the bottom of the cup was thicker melted cheese.

 

 

 

Paired with a great Rose – which I managed to start on, with the salmon course, as it is my fav wine!

3^rd course was a pasta prepared with a bit of pizzazz. A bowl of pre-cooked bowtie pasta, fresh cream, young Old Amsterdam (ok, a bit of a misnomer there) salt and pepper were stirred together and spread into a baking dish then topped with a thick layer of grated Old Amsterdam. This was then baked in a hot oven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To serve a scoop was placed in a bowl with half a cherry tomato and some fresh chopped parsley.

This was a really good dish but a little on the bland side perhaps after the amazing soup. I think there will be a few of us making this pasta dish with the addition of the soup as a sauce – wow the soup was excellent!

I am not sure if the pairings were still a definite as I had more Rose but there were two bottles of excellent Reds that I did try – both were good. (I only got a photo of the Malbec)

4^th course was cod fish with a crust of breadcrumbs, Old Amsterdam and parsley. The best thing about cooking with this cheese is no extra salt is really needed, the cheese is salty enough.

Paired with ?? – I was still on the Rose and could see the supply was dwindling!

5^th course was a Johnny cake filled with a slice of Old Amsterdam. Anyone who knows the special Johnny cakes Amsterdam Cheese store sells on Fridays once a month know that this is a treat.

Paired with one or both reds – one was a little heavier than the other, both were very good on the nose and entirely drinkable (thank goodness we did not have to use a spittoon.)

The 6^th course was a delicious morsel of the small Stroop Waffle topped with a shave of ??? You guessed it, Old Amsterdam Cheese. This sweet, salty combination was so good. It is a perfect combination and one to have in the store cupboard in case guests come by. (If you can refrain from devouring them yourself at HH)

Paired with a Port, an outstanding port. Should have had more but by then I think I was satiated by cheese and wine – so the option is to return to the store to purchase everything that I loved.

Amsterdam Cheese and wine (here)