When it comes to Hanukkah and food, the first type of food that comes to mind is anything deep fried, like latkes and Israeli jelly doughnuts. But, also associated with the celebration of Hanukkah is cheese. Like the Hanukkah story of the Maccabees regaining control over the Temple in Jerusalem, Judith is also a figure who strove for freedom from oppression. As the story goes, Judith’s community had come under siege by the Assyrian army and its leader Holofernes. Brave Judith approached Holofernes’ tent and pretended to seduce him, all the while purposely feeding him salty cheese and quenching his thirst with wine. Eventually Holofernes became intoxicated and Judith boldly chopped off his head and saved her city from impending harm. Cheese is not only delicious, but it saved the day, too.
A cheese tasting party is a great way to celebrate Hanukkah with family and friends. If you are hosting the party, you can supply some different cheeses, crackers, bread and fruit. Guests could each bring a different kind of cheese and can tell the group about its origins and flavors.
When tasting cheeses, consider these aspects of the experience:
• Generally, taste milder cheeses first and gradually build toward tasting stronger cheese.
• Whiff the aroma of the cheese: is it sweet smelling, stinky, smoky?
• What does the cheese feel like in your mouth: is it smooth and melting, hard and grainy? Is it dry or moist?
• What is the taste: sweet, salty, subtle or sharp?
Don’t have time to host a party? Visit a neighborhood cheese shop or gourmet grocery and ask for samples—it’s a delicious and free way to find new cheeses to adore.
Need some inspirations, look at these amazing cheese appetizers from Betty Crocker:
Cheddar Cheese Apples
Parmesan Cheeseball
Snowman Cheeseball
Igloo Spread with Cream Cheese Penguins
Have a favorite kind of cheese? Tell us about it.