The macaroni and cheese was Tyler’s Ultimate – starting with a roux, adding the Cabot shredded cheddar, garlic, and baking til browned. Made “ultimate” by adding crispy bacon and caramelized onions (in the bacon grease) on top after it’s hot and bubbly! We love you Tyler!
YES, I AM HOOKED ON THIS GOAT CHEESE.
Something so simple as marinated goat cheese from Whole Foods has me completely addicted. Olive oil, scallions, dill, sun dried tomatoes surround a small disc of plain goat cheese. I cannot be in Portland and NOT stop to buy a few containers. I think it’s the scallions that are the key ingredient. THIS is something you gotta try. I’ve tried making my own, but nothing compares… I heart Whole Foods 
St. Agur – an incredibly creamy, buttery and salty blue cheese. I went to my favorite little cheese shop today (Sawyers Specialties in Southwest Harbor, Maine) and got a nice fresh wedge from a newly opened wheel (that’s when it’s at its best!) Add some crisp Crostini crackers and a big, bold red and I’m one happy foodie.
First we roasted the beets. Then let them simmer in cider vinegar for a few minutes. Set them on a paper towel to drain. Then fold some fresh herbs in the goat cheese and place between layers of the beets. The dressing was finely chopped shallots, orange zest and the juice from an orange, a dash of Dijon mustard, olive oil and sherry. Then we drizzled the dressing over the beets and goat cheese tower and drizzled a bit of the cider vinegar (which turned a gorgeous shade of fuschia) and enjoyed chilled before dinner. It was an adaptation from Wolfgang Puck’s recipe.
Sawyers Specialties in Southwest Harbor, Maine offers a wonderful assortment of wine and cheese. They offer tastings one Saturday each month, and will always help you determine what your palate might prefer.
If I have guests coming over for dinner or for cocktails late afternoon, I always visit Sawyers for my favorites. This assortment included Tallegio, Parmesan, Canadian Cheddar, Salametti, black olives with garlic and South African peppers (also known as Peppadews). I mixed up a bottle of Rose, a sizeable dash of Limoncello and a splash of club soda for this light and refreshing summer drink!
Even Food & Wine magazine was amazed by the selection in this small town.
Sawyer’s Market is owned by another brother and is equally as wonderful.
