April 20th, 2013

Morgan & Gower Cheesemongers, Fine Foods, Charcuterie, Handcrafted Cheeses, Rehoboth Beach, Expanding our Cheese Library, Beemster XO, Barber’s 1833, Nettlesome, Geitost, Trioche, Midnight Moon, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Bar, Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

I could not read Zach’s face when Jody and I made another appearance at Morgan & Gower, located at 20 Baltimore Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  He probably thought, OMG, they are back!!  Not only were we back but it was on a Friday, when National Cheese Day was being celebrated.

We were armed with our cheese reference book.  I keep it with me all the time.  Never know when an urge to buy cheese will surface.  It is the perfect record to keep.  I never used to remember what cheese I bought or liked.  Not anymore.

Enjoying an indulgence from time to time.  Cheeses are expensive, but a little goes a long way.  Cultures, milk, imports, refrigeration and most of all, the aging process…over 2 years, at times, send those prices up.

Jody and I are expanding our cheese buying techniques, and Zach, from Morgan & Gower, has been a big help.  He has taken the time to introduce us to a wide range of cheeses.  Some have more bite to them; others a bit milder.

The first time I was at Morgan & Gower I bought a couple of cheeses.  They turned out to be amazing.  I wanted some more of the same and a few other additional ones, as well.

Zach came out with one of my favorites…the Beemster XO.  This gouda from Holland is aged over 26 months.  So delicious.

I think Zach thought I would not like Nettlesome.  This cheese is from New Jersey.  It also has stinging nettles.  It is strong and has a great bite to it.  Stinging nettles is a curious plant.  If you had ever brush against it, you’ll know why it is called “stinging”.  The plant also has plenty of health benefits.

Barber’s 1833 is a Reserved Cheddar, aged for a minimum of 2 years, from England.  When I brought it home, it became a favorite.

I had to buy it again…Midnight Moon.  Tops…this cheese is from California.  It is a popular goat’s milk gouda, firm, dense and smooth.

Trioche…from New Jersey.  This cheese is made from cow, goat and sheep.  So smooth.  Liked it very much and will buy it again.

I will be buying Gjetost, aka Geitost again. – The color was a deep caramel; a sweet, dense, fudgey, caramel goat cheese.  It really looked like a piece of caramel.  I am not sure if Zach thought Jody and I would like it.  I loved it and so did everyone in my family.  This cheese is very popular in Europe.  We tried it for dessert; perfect with a tart apple.  Sorry….I don’t know what happened with my picture.  Have Zach show it to you when visiting Morgan & Gower.  He will give you a little taste.

New at Morgan & Gower, starting today, Saturday, 4/20, a Grilled Cheese Sandwich Bar!  They will be having a limited menu of 5 simple choices.  More to be added later on.  Take out only, with no substitutions.  You can check the menu on their facebook page.

Morgan & Gower Cheesemongers opens Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.  Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Tel. 302-727-5566.

Have a great week-end!!

March 23rd, 2013

Morgan & Gower, Cheesemongers, Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Purveyors: Handcrafted Cheeses, Charcuterie, Fine Foods…An Indulgence I could get used to, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

I am now armed with my new booklet called “33 Pieces of Cheese”.  Yes, I am now ready for some slices, wedges and crumbles too!!  If I am going to go cheese hounding in Rehoboth Beach with Jody, I will need this useful information.

You know how it is; you taste some cheese….you remember how good it was, etc. etc….then, that’s as far as it goes.  Now, I have my tool which will remind me, provided I write it down, which cheeses I like the best.

Downtown Rehoboth Beach is the perfect town to go out and about.  At this time of the year, when all the shops and restaurants are gearing up for a new season, it is the most fun.  Perfect for checking out what this Nation’s Summer Capital is all about…..the beach, the town, shops, restaurants, music venues, and its history.

I used to visit this building for several years, every day….It was the Epworth Church.  That’s where my youngest son went to pre-school.  Eventually, this building became the home of several artists, Clear Space Theatre, and just recently, last fall, the home of a gourmet cheese shop called Morgan & Gower…cheesemongers.  It is located at 20 Baltimore Avenue.  Tel. 302-727-5566.  Like them on Facebook!

It is a small shop; great for easy conversation and information from our cheesemongers.  You want your cheesemonger to be approachable.  On that day Zack and Ken were there.  These two embodied what cheesemongers should be; passionate about their cheeses, making tastings available, explaining the origins and body of the cheese, and even suggesting parings with other foods and wines.

We were not the only customers at the shop, but they took their time to make sure we made the right selections based on what we liked.  Buying good cheese is an experience and an indulgence.  Cheeses can be expensive.  Think of it, 1 lb. of cheese takes about 10 lbs. of milk.

I fell in love with the following 2 cheeses:  The paper used to wrap the cheeses had a wax lining, which protects the cheese.

Midnight Moon from California.  It is rare, and a popular goat’s milk gouda.  Firm, dense and smooth.  Caramel notes accompanied by nutty, and brown butter flavors.

The other one was called Brewster, a Gouda from Holland.  These two cheeses were completely different and totally amazing.  The Midnight Moon was softer and the Brewster was a much harder cheese.

I spotted a French mustard that I used to buy years ago; Moutard de Meaux.  Morgan & Gower are the only ones carrying it in Rehoboth Beach.  I had forgotten how good it was.  I also had forgotten how hard it was to open.  Zack reminded me, before I bought it.  You just have to get the hang of it.

The shop has other fine foods that can only be found in shops like this one.  The olives looked amazing.

Since we live at the beach, guests seem to materialized out of nowhere….Morgan & Gower could be lifesaving!

Looking forward to my next cheese indulgence:

Pepato from New Jersey is a pecorino style cheese with added whole black peppercorns!!

And, Idiazabal from the Basque/Navarra region.  This is a Hawthorne smoked cheese made from the raw milk of Laxta and carranza sheep.  It is also called “queso de tapeo”.  You will find this cheese served at Spain’s famous tapas bars.

So, what do you think?  These cheeses go a long way.  A little bite here or there with a glass of wine…and good company, of course!

Have a good one!!  Talk to you later.