[Sca-cooks] cheese for feast

[Lonnie D. Harvel]

I have been finding really good cheese buys at Sam's Club. I just picked 
up a 2lb ball of Edam cheese for $4.68, and it's pretty good cheese. 
They also had a 3lb cylinder of Smoked Gouda for $8. Right after 
Christmas, last year, they had l lb balls of Cheddar, Port, and Gouda 
for $2 each. I have also gotten a really nice 1lb black wax covered 
cylinder of Beer cheese. They also have good prices on blocks of things 
like Cheddar, Montery Jack, and such.

I prefer to serve good cheeses unsliced (or with a few slices pre-cut), 
especially at table. Those who appreciate cheese are more than willing 
to slice off a piece, indeed, I think it adds to the experience. 
Ambivalent cheese eaters are less likely to eat it just because it is in 
front of them. This way, I get to please those who will appreciate the 
cheese (by serving good cheese) but not wasting it on those that don't 
really care. (and I don't buy as much) Actually, more than once I have 
been told "really nice array of cheeses" or somesuch, even by those who 
don't eat much of it.

Anyway, I served just over 250 folks a Traveler's Fare at Castle Wars 
last year. Two soups, breads, cheeses, and spice cakes. I used 8 pounds 
of hard cheese, and 5 pounds of soft, spreadable cheese (cream cheese 
that I flavored four different ways). I had about 2 lbs of each left 
over that went to a vigil and also part of a lunch the following day.

2 lbs of Montery Jack
2 lbs of White Cheddar (yeah, I know, cheddaring ain't period)
2 lbs of Port Cheese (I have an idea this isn't period either)
2 lbs of Beer Cheese

The Port cheese was in green wax and the Beer cheese was in black wax, 
so they made for a nice display. I only put half of each out at a time, 
since for this kind of meal, everyone does not eat at once. Oh, I also 
take the rectangular blocks of cheese and cut them on the diagonal for 
serving. That makes two nice wedges. If you cut your "tempting slices" 
strategically from the flat end, the result is a nice looking wedge.

Pax,
Aoghann
(who is off now to get another piece of that Edam cheese)