Another favorite of ours from the cheese festival is the Big Boy Blue from Willapa Hills Cheese Company. It's strong, salty and complex. Easily my new favorite blue cheese. The Willapa Hills are part of the California coastal range and is home to this historic farmstead dating back to the 1920's. They're big on making a quality product from all natural and sustainable ingredients. The Big Boy Blue is aged for 75 days, and it's worth it, you can taste the time and effort. It has a delicate natural texture, semi-soft, yet pungent and salty.
How to eat:
You can use it like any other blue cheese, just be mindful of it's saltiness. Whatever you eat it with needs to be strong enough to stand up to this bold cheese. Your typical cracker or sliced baguette will be completely overpowered. It's great to nibble on, crumble on top of a salad, or my favorite, loaded on top of a big juicy burger!
Pairings:
One of the best combos, in my opinion, is blue cheese and red meat, like a steak or a burger. If you're not on the red meat train, we had it on a spicy turkey burger and it was equally delicious. A rich red wine or a dark stout beer would be a lovely combination as well.
Where to buy:
We purchased or little wedge at the Artisan Cheese Festival. It is available online at Willapa Hills in 3 different sizes, ranging from $30-$100. Unfortunately I was unable to find retail locations that sell it, but it wouldn't hurt to ask you local grocer about it. Places like Whole Foods or Nugget Market may carry it or can possibly order it for you.
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