Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Pretzel Baguettes and Cheese of the Month: Red Dragon with Mustard Seeds and Ale


It's no secret that I love bread and cheese. I may have even shared my unnatural love for mustard a time or two. Imagine my surprise when I found this Red Dragon Mustard Seed and Ale Cheese for sale at my Whole Foods. There was only one wedge left and it had my name written all over it. As I stared at the cheese, admiring it's red casing and it's visual appeal, I started to daydream about all the ways I could use it. I must have been off in another world, which happens a lot by the way, because the cheesemonger was talking to me and I didn't hear him. He said "We have a pretzel baguette that goes great with that cheese." MAMA SAY WHAT?

Imagine my delight at the words he spoke! Pretzel baguette. That's genius, I thought to myself, as I squealed in delight running to the bread section. However, he also mentioned "if we have any left", which kinda of made my stomach sink a little. It must have been my lucky day because there were several pretzel baguettes sitting in the basket and I was in love with them. I picked up two baguettes at $1.99 each and went happily to see the cashier.
We know that pretzels pair well with mustard and we also know they pair well with cheese, but cheese with mustard - yum!

Results/Notes: This is a classic combination. Both the pretzel baguette and the mustard seed and ale cheese were wonderful. The baguette was just like a soft pretzel, but in loaf form; soft and chewy. The cheese is a tangy Welsh Cheddar, made from pasteurized milk, mixed with mustard seeds and ale. It is creamy and almost spreadable at room temperature. Besides pairing well with the pretzel baguette, this cheese would be a great addition to any sandwich that would otherwise call for mustard. I think it would also be great melted into Welsh Rarebit or even added into some homemade macaroni and cheese. This is a great combination for any Superbowl parties coming up. All in all, it was fairly inexpensive. The baguettes are only $1.99 each and my wedge of cheese was about $4. A somewhat healthy and unique snack for around $5. These two goodies get a definite "thumbs up" from me and I will seek them out each and every time I happen to get to Whole Foods.

If you don't happen to have a Whole Foods in your area, you can buy this cheese online at Amazon, here. More often than not, you can ask your cheesemonger for specific items and they will order them for you without the added shipping charges.

In case you would like to try your own pretzel baguette, there is a link to a recipe here. I haven't tried this recipe, but I would definitely like to.

This is the first in my series for Cheese of the Month. Each month I am going to try a new cheese and feature it alone or in a recipe.

30 comments:

  1. we just had a whole foods open near us, these are going to be the first two things i look for! i love your cheese of the month idea, awesome!

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  2. Yum! I'm also a cheese and bread addict, not to mention my fondness for Whole Foods :) I could easily spend 3 hours wandering that place!

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  3. that pretzel baguette sounds interesting!

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  4. What a fabulous combination! Throw in a bottle of wine and you have the perfect treat. (Or, if I am coming over, a couple of bottles of wine.. ;-)
    Let me know if you ever come across a great pretzel baguette recipe. I'd love to try it at home.

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  5. OH! Hello, gorgeous....omg I am going to be on the lookout for this the next time I get to a Whole Foods (check back with me next year sometime) but wow! That looks yummy. I may just have to give the pretzel baguette recipe a try!

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  6. Yes - that bread sounds fantastic...and with that cheese - yes, yes, yes!

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  7. I'm heading to Florida in a few weeks and will look in my Whole Foods there for this combo. Yummy. Of course Natashya's right about needing some wine...or maybe ale.

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  8. That sounds very tasty, Kim. Ill be looking forward to your reviews each month. Nice idea. Yes, wine..

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  9. Love your new look! I love bread and cheese too! :)

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  10. What a delicious combo! I'm really hating that I don't have a Whole Foods! Thanks for the links.

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  11. Cool combo. I'm coming over with Natashya and bringing wine!

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  12. I love cheese. I love bread. ALl types. I 've never met a cheese or bread I didn't like.

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  13. It is a beautiful casing! I'm not a huge cheese lover, but I'd sure love to try that pretzel bread!

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  14. I have never heard of or tried pretzel baguette. I'm intrigued! You have quite a knack for pairing food!

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  15. If only I hadn't given up dairy for awhile! ;-) The cheese looks delicious--love the casing and label. I am going to check my WF here for the pretzel baguettes--Yum!

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  16. Hmmm yummy, fancy bread and cheese. I am so there daaaaaahling!

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  17. Dang, that sounds like a fabulous combination.

    Thanks for the link to the pretzel baguette, that sounds quite intriguing, I must go check that out.

    Great photos! Love your blog Kim!! xo

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  18. Oh pretzels and cheese. Pretzels and dragon cheese. You now have me scoping out my fridge.

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  19. Looking forward to the cheese of the month. Mmmm...cheese.

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  20. I was just marvelling at how much I enjoy whole mustard grains yesterday as I stirred some into my tuna salad. This cheese sounds delicious and you're right, cheese + mustard + pretzel has to be good. Great find!

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  21. Brilliant! The cheese sounds delish but the pretzel baguette sounds divine! If only we had a Whole Foods. :-(

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  22. That sounds so good! I am looking forward to these posts, cheese should be it's own food group :)

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  23. We don't have a whole foods where we are at :( But this cheese looks really good...lol. Even better with a pretzel...lol. Yummm!

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  24. Things I have learned today. One - I need to go to Whole Foods. Immediately.

    Two - I need to figure out how to bake a pretzel baguette. Even more immediately.

    You have me hypnotized with these!

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  25. I want. I want. I want.

    That cheese is making me covet.

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  26. I love cheese too!! Man, I wish I could find those flavors around here, I bet the mustard seed is SO good on crackers!

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  27. That baguette sounds really nice and different. There is a Whole Foods somewhere around here but it's quite a trek. Maybe I'll have to try making it.

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  28. Love to try Pretzel Baguette Tostini, I might just make it for Super Bowl!

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  29. Bread and cheese? PERFECT! And pretzel baguettes? How original!

    I made pretzel rolls a few months ago that are definitely worth trying. I got the recipe from epicurious - check it out.

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  30. I just finished making the pretzel baguettes from the link you gave, yum yum yum. Now I need to go find me some mustard cheese :)

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