Sonoma Valley Recipes

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Sonoma Wine Country Recipes
Selected Sonoma Chefs share their recipes for you to try and enjoy. Here we feature local cheese recipes and How to Create a Cheese Course.	Cuisine Guide Cuisine Directory Best Sonoma Cuisine

Cheese!

Sonoma has great cheese to pair with all the wonderful wines produced in the valley. Our local cheese and pairing expert is Sheana Davis who shares a selection of fondue recipes to make with cheeses from Vella Cheese Company.

Vella Cheese Company Asiago Fondue

Created by Sheana Davis, The Epicurean Connection

8 ounces whipping cream
8 ounces sweet butter
2 ounces wine of choice
4 ounces Vella Cheese Company Asiago
Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste
Sprinkle with herbs: basil, italian parsley and thyme

Serve with Lemon Chicken Sausage, Spring Green Beans and Golden Rose Petals

Vella Cheese Company Fontinella Fondue

Created by Sheana Davis, The Epicurean Connection

8 ounces whipping cream
8 ounces sweet butter
2 ounces wine of choice
4 ounces Vella Cheese Company Fontinella
Sea salt and fresh black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with herbs: basil, Italian parsley and thyme

Serve in fondue pots over low flame.

Serve with Vella Fontinella, Toma and Dry Jack Ravioli & Sweet Pea Blossoms.

Vella Cheese Company Fontinella & Fennel Fondue

Created by Sheana Davis, The Epicurean Connection

1/2 cup sweet butter
1 teaspoon Fennel seed
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup Vella Cheese Company Fontinella, grated
1/4 teaspoon each sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

In a small saucepan, sauté butter and fennel seed for 1 minute. Add in whipping cream and continue to heat for one minute. Slowly whisk in cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Place fondue mixture in fondue pot over low flame and serve with Fennel, Sausage, Ginger glazed Carrots and roasted Green Beans. Enjoy!

Sheana Davis of the Epicurean Connection teaches classes and is a specialty cheese expert. Her web site is filled with recipes, beer and wine pairing menus, and interesting articles. Visit www.sheanadavis.com

Vella Cheese is located on Second Street East within walking distance to the central Plaza in Sonoma. Visit
www.vellacheese.com

Click here to read about the History of Cheesemaking in Sonoma Valley

Creating a Cheese Course

Select cheeses with variety and flavors that blend and make choices that compliment one another.

Work with 3-4 cheeses.
Assemble a cheese course with cheeses from cow, goat and sheep milk cheeses.

Assemble a cheese course with cheeses from one producer, using 3 different cheeses.

Create a theme, such as California, Vermont, Mid West or Pacific North West.

Be cautious with strong cheeses, as they can over power delicate cheeses.

Add in accompaniments, such as nuts, dried fruits, compote, chutney Serve with breads, crackers, toasted breads, sweet or savory toasts

Pair cheese courses with wines or ales. Try different combinations & most of all enjoy and have fun!
~Sheana Davis