Midwinter, it’s snowing lightly, but the forecast says up to 20 inches the next 24 hours or so. So I thought that requires something warm and energy boosting, like Aligot. Aligot is simply melted cheese and mashed potatoes with some garlic and double cream or creme fraîche. That’s it! This is a dish that comes from the Auvergne region in the south of France. Le Massif Central if you like;
Aveyron, Cantal and Lozère. Well known areas for cheese all of them. Quite a lot further south than where I reside, but winters can still be cold, so that requires warming foods. This is not a dish as such, more like a side. So ususally served with a piece of good meat, or perhaps even more common, a country sausage of some sort. Aligot – melted cheese and mashed potatoes.
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It is still Christmas, and as the year is about to ebb, it is time for reflection. Some do and some don’t, but if you’re sitting down for some reflection don’t do it alone. Bring a glass of Malus Danica and a delicious slice of Stichelton. Both artisanal products in their own right, but far apart. Paired though, they’re lifted to a higher unity that just might bring your mind off track and on to a path of pure taste and indulgence. In that case it was probably meant to be. Malus Danica, as the name partly indicates, is a Danish ice-wine made from a variety of apples. Stichelton is a Stilton style cheese as Stilton ought to be. In my opinion, anyway. Danske Malus Danica and the English Stichelton in Christmas harmony.
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Just as much fun every year searching to find what which will become the Christmas cheeses. This is my thing, the rest of the family is fairly happy go lucky when it comes to cheese. Pretty convenient, I must say. So now the final cheese has arrived, four kilos and the size of a small chopping goof. Stichelton, an English blue cheese made from raw cow’s milk, in case you have not heard abot it before. So that completes my Christmas cheeses as a couple of bloomy rind cheeses already have arrived, as well as the semi firm Norwegian Fjelldronning.
I live in Oslo, but the rest of my family lives on the beautiful north west coast of Norway, which is a seven to eight hours drive from here, crossing the mountain range dividing east from west. I went for a brief visit to see my aging mother now living in an old folks home.
An extreme weather situation forced me to take another route across the mountains. Icy roads, gale winds and snow are not the best of conditions to drive in. But this deviation, which used to be the normal route, brought me to well known Avdem gardsysteri at Lesja. They now have their farm shop, Avdemsbue, by the road from Dombås to Åndalsnes which has fairly heavy traffic. They had announced tasting of a new alpine style cheese they are working on the next day, but I decided to try my luck. Alas, no samples of the new cheese, but a chunk of Fjelldronning (mountain queen) that brought home a bronze medal from the World Cheese Awards in London last month was available. I have tasted Fjelldronning many times, but never as mature as this. Stopp ved Avdemsbue på Lesja for en handel.
Avdemsbue
Avdemsbue is a fine place to stop for some shopping of local, small scale produce and other edible stuff. Norway local I should say. Cheese, condiments, produce, local beers, cured foods, cordials and much more. But no tasting of any new apline style cheese. There is always a way, though.
Avdem
So, after having shopped some cheese I drove the few yards to the dairy where Sigurd and Åse, fully engaged in making cheese and porridge respectively, took time to sit down for a long chat and, would you believe, tasting of the new cheese. Bufast as it is called. During that conversation we reflected on the development of local farmstead cheese making and what that has done to small local communities like Lesja. Avdem used to produce milk for the Norwegian coop dairy. That kept about one and a quarter person occupied. Now that they have started cheese making, launched the shop, started up growing vegetables at the farm beside the milk production, seven to eight people are engaged full time. These small enterprises like Avdem have become cornerstones in the small rural communities.
The reason for my visit was of course to taste the new cheese. Well, it is still young, but very promising. Fine texture, compact with absolutely no holes and a beautiful washed rind. Very appealing. But it will take some time, some fine tuning and maturing. The name honors the farmer, living at the same place for generations and taking care of mother earth. Fjelldronning modnet i 20 måneder.
Fjelldronning
I bought whatever was left. A chunk of almost a kilo. Did not taste, feeling very confident this was OK. Excellent taste, by the way. Made on March 21st 2016. 20 months of age. As I said, I have never tasted this mature Fjelldronning before, and the age becomes it. Sweetish on the palate, crispy crystals and a touch of caramel, even some burnt caramel. This was exceptionally good. I still have some left for Christmas.
I do not belong to those believing cheese only becomes better and better with age, irrespective of type. Up to a point all is well, but then a lot of cheeses start fading. These 20 months had done Fjelldronning well.
While Bufast is a tribute to the farmer, Fjelldronning is a tribute to all the women taking care of their herd at the chalets up in the mountains during summer. Mountain queens all of them.
To drink
My choice is a well developed Chablis. If you insist on something red, that is perfectly possible. Go for an east side Bordeaux, where the Merlot grape is dominant. Even a German Riesling Kabinett pairs well. As does a cup of good black tea. With milk, no sugar.
