Cheese: Respecting the Wedge
Leave it to me...
Here I thought I was well read about the basics, and yes my mother really did teach me table etiquette and proper place settings. Hey - - I even traveled a few miles in my life out of the continent and sat at some fine dining tables, but when it came time to "respecting the wedge," man did I screw up.
Picture this. Me - a guest - sitting at a dining room table. My delightful hosts pass around the cheese plate after dinner. Now mind you, both of the hosts were born and raised in France. The cheese plate arrives to me first. As I slowly start to cut into a wedge, all of a sudden I hear from both of my hosts, "No! No! Stop! Respect the wedge!"
After it was all said and done, and long story short; I am now permanently and emotionally scarred by the "wedge."
The best way to explain my future with cheese is when you're sitting at a formal dinner party and you look through the corner of your eye to see what utensil your dining partners are reaching for first among the sea of knives, forks, and spoons at their place settings.
Nowadays, when I see a new wedge of cheese in a social setting, I avoid it and watch everyone else cut into it - - first. If someone before me does not "respect the wedge," and I follow their "dissing" of the wedge, my defense is "Don't look at me. They started it."
To help you avoid the embarrassment of being a social pariah, just follow the incisions. Cheers to cheese.
Here I thought I was well read about the basics, and yes my mother really did teach me table etiquette and proper place settings. Hey - - I even traveled a few miles in my life out of the continent and sat at some fine dining tables, but when it came time to "respecting the wedge," man did I screw up.
Picture this. Me - a guest - sitting at a dining room table. My delightful hosts pass around the cheese plate after dinner. Now mind you, both of the hosts were born and raised in France. The cheese plate arrives to me first. As I slowly start to cut into a wedge, all of a sudden I hear from both of my hosts, "No! No! Stop! Respect the wedge!"
After it was all said and done, and long story short; I am now permanently and emotionally scarred by the "wedge."
The best way to explain my future with cheese is when you're sitting at a formal dinner party and you look through the corner of your eye to see what utensil your dining partners are reaching for first among the sea of knives, forks, and spoons at their place settings.
Nowadays, when I see a new wedge of cheese in a social setting, I avoid it and watch everyone else cut into it - - first. If someone before me does not "respect the wedge," and I follow their "dissing" of the wedge, my defense is "Don't look at me. They started it."
To help you avoid the embarrassment of being a social pariah, just follow the incisions. Cheers to cheese.
Semi-Soft Wedge
Cut the wedge cross-wise, then cut vertically along the rind.
Cheeses: Fontina, Gruyère, Gouda, Swiss
Soft Pyramid
Slice the cheese into wedges from the top center.
Cheeses: Soft goat or cow cheeses from England or France often coated in vegetable ash.
Soft Wedge
Section the cheese into long, narrow wedges from the point outward
Cheeses: Brie, double and triple-cream cheese
Cheeses: Brie, double and triple-cream cheese
Log
Slice across the log into coins.
Cheeses: Usually goat, fresh or aged
Cheeses: Usually goat, fresh or aged
Soft Wheel
Cut it into even wedges, from the center outward.
Cheeses: Camembert, aged goat cheeses
Cheeses: Camembert, aged goat cheeses
Veined Wedge
Slice it into points from the bottom center of the thin edge.
Cheeses: Blue cheese, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton
Cheeses: Blue cheese, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton
Images from Martha Stewart Living
Wow, I had no idea I was so UNEDUCATED about "the wedge" Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt was news to me, too! :-)
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