KAREN STENSGAARD

What better way to soothe your soul and feed your spirit of adventure than with some special cheese? Living on a small island without any good cheese shops nearby, it’s become more of a challenge. Even a grocery clerk at our main store agreed that despite a large selection, it was ho-hum at best.

But luckily some internet sleuthing about a year ago led me to Grater Goods, a fantastic cheese store in the closest big city of Jacksonville. I’ve made a few trips there, and every cheese has been a winner. And while it might cost more than a supermarket chain, sometimes, it’s worth treating yourself and spending a bit more for something extra special!

Cheese is an excellent source of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. But there’s the fat content, so a small a piece can go a long way. That’s why, instead of having a big plate of cheese with special jams, nuts and fruit sides, I’ve pared back to focus on only one cheese at a time as an appetizer. No fancy add-ons or condiments to buy or prepare.

Just the cheese and a drink. Crackers and bread are harmless, but to really taste the cheese, don’t overdo it. Just sit back and savor it. This one brought me somewhere unique. “Hola Spain!” Organizing this photo blog took more time, but I had to share a little love of cheese with whoever might want it.

The holy grail from our favorite cheesemonger – great info!

Grater Goods, with such a fantastic name, is managed by a woman who never planned to be a cheesemonger aka cheese specialist. Her shop has been in business for over 8 years, and it’s still the only designated cheese shop in greater Jacksonville. She had corporate jobs before finding her passion. Maybe you can identify with that or have plans, too.

I never planned to be an author, but I always wanted to write a book. Now I’ve published three novels with two more in the final editing stages. Life can take you so many directions if you let it. Even to a small island, but there’s always hope when you have cheese.

At Grater Goods, each cheese had a super helpful sign with information for drink pairings and more. Sometimes beer is better, and sommeliers have admitted this. The cheese’s name is always on the wrapping from the shop, but I took a photo of each sign so it’s handy for my cheese-tasting nights.

Today’s queso del día is called EL TRIGAL MANCHEGO, a Spanish cheese protected by the Denomination de Origen Protegida (DOP) and by European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) regulations. Other European countries have similar high standards to keep their cheese true to its origin. The cheese shop made it easier with useful signs to save on doing your own research.

Our cheese specialist suggested paring with a Tempranillo (Spanish red) or other red and we had a Zinfandel in stock. To simplify your cheese life, flexibility is key.

Manchego cheese has a nutty flavor and distinctive rind pattern. A nod to the traditional method of pressing the curd into baskets of esparto grass. You can tell if a Manchego cheese is authentic if it has the PDO insignia printed on the label or a small, numbered plaque pressed into the rind.

Esparto grass grows in North Africa, Spain, and Portugal and is also used to make sandals, ropes, mats, and paper. If only grass could feed the Amazon cardboard box factory on Amelia Island instead of trees.

I love the name of tonight’s red wine, Seven Deadly Zins from Lodi, California’s Seven Deadly Winery. This isn’t from the usual well-known Napa-Sonoma territory but grown in the Central Valley, east of San Francisco and south of Sacramento. The vintner’s aim is to create “wines to lust for.” Sounds like a great idea to me!

The original packaging & wedges ready to taste!

Manchego cheese is pretty straight forward. The milk is from Manchego sheep that graze in the La Mancha region of Spain. That’s a vast area south and east of Madrid and the magical land of Miguel de Cervantes’s 17th-century novel “Don Quixote.” A rugged landscape filled with windmills,castles, mountains, and goats!

What is great about these Manchego goats is that they may still be free range since flocks number over 100 and herds are up to 2000. If only all our dairy cheese-producing sheep could live a better life with more freedom to roam!

The cheese & wine on a nutty Norwegian flatbread from Trader Joe’s

Miguel de Cervantes, the author of “Don Quijote de la Mancha,” the official title in Spanish, was a fan of Manchego cheese. He even mentions eating Manchego cheese in his classic novel. “You don’t live on bread alone, my good Sancho.”

The cheese is still in a round form because that’s easier to carry around. Especially if you are riding a donkey or a horse and fighting windmills!

The American journalist turned novelist Ernest Hemingway spent years in Spain. When asked what he liked about Spain, he reportedly said, “Drinking the wine and eating the cheese while reading Don Quixote.” He also said or put in a book, “I was blown up while we were eating cheese.” Not sure if that’s related to his wartime work or from eating too much cheese!

I hope this inspires you to bring home some good quality cheese home that might end your day on a happier note. If you like this cheesy, fun photo-blog, I’ll share some more. Please add a comment if you have more ideas on Manchego cheese, goats, or whatever. Cheese lovers unite!

Me near the cheese, hiding behind some very pretty flowers.

P.S. If you are looking for an unusual read, even though it doesn’t focus on cheese, check out PROJECT ONION, my latest crime amateur sleuth story, set in modern-day NYC. My books are always priced right, not just on cyber-Monday, but read the free chapters first. Books, like cheese, must cater to individual tastes. My books are available through many booksellers and through libraries. An overview and a first three chapters download are on my website’s page for PROJECT ONION.