Author Notes: I don’t know if you could even count this a a recipe…it’s more of a guide. I once worked at a restaurant the specialized in fermentation…wine/cheese/beer, we often had various and sundry bits of cheeses left over that were too small to serve, so we banked them and once a week I would make Fromage Forte…since our cheeses changed often, so did the Fromage Forte.
This is as strongly flavored as you want it… I love it nice & stinky, definitely not a good first date choice. A combination of hard & ripe cheeses is fab, great way to prolong the life of a washed rind cheese that may be heading towards over ripe. Mozzerella is the only cheese I would shy away from it just doesn’t add anything.
If you are going to go out and buy cheese for this…try to mix in a nice variety of flavors even if you stay in one region …I bet you could find a friendly cheese monger/ counter person who would be happy to gather together an assortment of odds and ends for you (maybe even at a discount?)
As for the alcohol..depends on what you have on hand, drier whites or roses and strong flavored beers work best (porters, ales etc)- a Bud light just won’t cut it. IF you avoid using alcohol for any reason you could sub sparkling apple cider, see if you can find a drier one.
Its a also abulous fridge cleaner!!!! Great with breadsticks, toast points, and apples.
You can up the amounts as you wish…this is like a formula, also use less garlic if you are not a GARLIC fan, you can also sub roasted garlic for a milder version. – – Aliwaks —Aliwaks
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
-
2
cups Cheeses odds & ends (anything but mozzerella)
-
1
large clove garlic
-
1
teaspoon finely chopped thyme leaves
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1/2
cup white wine/vermouth/champagne or beer….red wine will make it a weird gray color esp if you have blue cheese bits involved
Directions
- Blend everything up in food processor until it’s a smooth paste
- Pack into individual ramekins or one large dish
- Bake @ 375 till bubbly and warm
- Left overs can be stored for awhile in the fridge, should you become addicted to this, you can just keep adding to the original..sort of like that bread that has a 100 year old starter. (you can also smear leftovers on toast and grill till bubbly)
- Absolutely delicious with toasted buttered pumpernickel or Russian black bread, grissini, tart apple slices & radishes