Next week, it’s either Valentine’s Day, the newish but welcome, Galentine’s Day or just another week to explore cheese. All good reasons to gift someone or yourself with a cheese basket, box, recipe or experience. Thankfully, there are plenty of great options, if you want to order, take a class or make something yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a party or having a picnic in the park, there’s something for everyone and there’s still time to get something from your Camembert Cupid.
After Dark
Photo credit Point Reyes Farmstead 
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese in Northern California is offering a sultry After Dark Basket for $85 (plus 10% off your first order). The selection includes enough for two or four people to explore their cheeses in combination with chocolate, biscuits, date spread, and a handy cheese knife.
Everything seems thoughtfully selected with highlights including the uniquely American, quietly nutty Cow’s milk Tomarashi spiced with Japanese Shichimi Togarashi to bring a little heat. They also include 5 oz. of their rustic, 90-day cow’s milk Bay Blue, a mellow, sweet cheese, which is romantically inspired by the California coast.
The pack includes: 5oz. Aged Gouda; 2oz. Volo Fig & Hazelnut Chocolate bar; 6oz. TomaRashi; 2oz. Volo Deep Dark Chocolate Bar; 5oz. Bay Blue; 8oz. Original Blue Date Spread; Effie’s Pecan Biscuits and a Cheese Knife.
Of course, if you happen to really want to go full-blown romance, it’s probably not too late to head to Tomales Bay, take a tour of the farm and let the views sweep you away.
Apple of My Eye
Photo credit Consider Bardwell
The Consider Bardwell box called Apple of My Eye is inspired. They pair their cheeses with apple chips and apple butter, playing on that New England classic of apple pie topped with a thick slice of cheddar while highlighting other local producers.
The box includes 8 oz. each of their aged cow’s milk Pawlet, Pawlet Reserve, the Alpine style Rupert, and Dorset Hidden Star. In addition, there is a 10 oz. jar of thick Blake Hill Heirloom Apple Butter and thin-cut Rind Apple Chips. A dollop of the apple butter pairs with all four of the cheeses.
All of the selections highlight the sweet grassiness of their Jersey cow herd. They all stand equally, but the apple-y-ist is the Dorset Hidden Star. It’s a hard apple cider rind-washed cheese inspired by the late cheese expert Anne Saxelby. From Vermont, Consider Bardwell Apple of My Eye box is $79. Read more about Consider Bardwell.
You’re So Cheesy
For those of you looking for something interactive, Formaggio Kitchen in Mass. is offering a virtual tasting and class called You’re So Cheesy – Chocolate and Cheese Bundle for $115.
Photo courtesy of Formaggio Kitchen
Sign up online before all the spaces are filled for this class with Formaggio Kitchen owner and cheese expert Julia Hallman. The You’re So Cheesy – Chocolate and Cheese Bundle is available online and the virtual tasting will be held on Tuesday, February 14th, at 7PM, EST.
During the romantic (as you want it to be) session sample holiday appropriate chocolates and discuss the subtle art of pairing chocolate with cheese. Go past the standard of dark chocolate and blue cheese and delve into the French sheep’s milk Brebis Pardou from the Pyrenees. The cheese is known for having a distinct sweet cream and fresh herb flavor that classically is served with dark cherry compote. That, along with: ⅓ lb each of Comté Fort St. Antoine, Brebis Du Haut Bearn and Bleu des Basques, Marou Lam Dong 74%, Amedei Toscano Red, D. Barbero Hazelnut Bark, and crackers.
It’s a full evening of tasting, learning, and entertainment. Read more about Formaggio Kitchen.
Cœur à la Crème
Perhaps you want to delve in and make a romantic French quick cheese. We suggest trying your hand at cœur à la crème (from the French “heart of the cream.”)
Traditionally this simple dish is associated with Valentine’s Da and is served in the shape of a heart, created using a porcelain mold, but you can use a sieve. The molds can be found at most upscale gourmet kitchen shops or on Etsy this time of year.
The sweet, cheese dessert is similar to cheesecake, comes together in less than 4 hours and will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator. Eat it with fresh berries, thinned out jam or with chopped candied nuts. Like love, it is open to interpretation.
Cœur à la Crème Recipe
Photo credit Rachael Narins
1 cup mascarpone
8 oz. ricotta cheese
6 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Chambord (optional)
A splash of vanilla extract
Small pinch of table salt
Fresh berries, to serve
Line your coeur à la crème mold (or sieve) with slightly damp cheesecloth, allowing 1 inch to overhang the rim.
Whisk together the ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, lemon juice, Chambord (if using), vanilla and salt until smooth, then press into the mold.
Cover with plastic wrap and place on a tray to catch the whey. Chill two hours and up to 24.
To unmold, gently remove the cheesecloth from the mold and invert onto a serving dish. Garnish with berries and enjoy.
No matter how you celebrate Valentine’s day, there’s no reason it can’t be a rich and creamy, cheese filled good time.