|
 |
by stephen cody Artist and Album: Various Artists Cheese: Roth Kase Ostenborg Havarti Mustards: Maille Dijon Originale and Mendocino Mustard Inc. Hot and Sweet What goes better with Havarti than well-crafted bread? Why, well-crafted mustards, of course! I'm definitely on a strong, sour cheese kick lately. First the Port Salut, and now the Roth Kase Osenborg Havarti. Similar to the Port Salut in its sharpness, but quite different in structure. It has more robust, cheddar like consistency and less of the semi-epic flavor spreading across the tongue of the Port Salut. It would go great on a duck sandwich on 18 grain bread, perhaps with a bit of chutney. Or if you're lacking chutney, I can heartily recommend the Mendocino Hot & Sweet Mustard. It's been a personal favorite of mine for years. Don't let the name fool you if it's hot you want, turn to the Maille Dijon. It leaves enough mustard flavors blasting through the back of your throat and sinuses that you'll think you're an English soldier holed up in some trench during World War I. I was going to review the new Outkast, I really was. But then I thought why bother? Every critic in the world has already assailed that album with most of the positive adjectives available in this language. It would be a waste of my time and yours, so I'll just assume you already own it. My favorite tracks? Church stands out, but it's all quality, and of course, highly recommended. Going back to my earlier sentiments on the Hot & Sweet Mustard don't let the name scare you off. The heat is very mild in comparison to a robust Dijon, and the sweetness is relatively mild. But the balance of flavors makes every sandwich or slice of cheese an adventure. Safeway quit carrying it, but it's available at most of the better supermarkets. 
Dipping cheese in the Maille really makes me think of Erik den Breejen. The flavor is just huge, and it's the sort of salty/sour/blast of flavor conversation his taste buds are particularly acclimated to. In case you aren't in the know, Erik is an artist/musician friend of mine who is holed up in Brooklyn, working on... painting and music. I highly recommend looking for him either here or on Friendster, as he's quite a talented guy. His taste in music and cheese is, needless to say, quite well refined. This brings me to the second artist and album I'm going to discuss the new album by Nick Cave. Erik turned me on to Nick Cave way back then with Henry's Dream, which I still think will forever be his greatest album. But he's done a good job on the new one of getting away from the Kylie Minogue duets and really made another sad, beautiful album. Mopey girls with too much eye makeup beware not every song is epic but I can heartily recommend this album to both fan and uninitiated alike, and am fairly confident that this album will make my top 20 albums of 2003 list. If you like it at all, check out Henry's Dream still some of my favorite lyrics, even after high school. 
I think I've come up with a new appetizer here. Cucumber slices spread with Hot & Sweet mustard, a slice of Havarti and a touch of watercress. Maybe a hint of chives or finely sliced red onion as well. I'll have to make a note of that; perhaps I'll provide such an appetizer at the next WOOD/lunchboxing party. Another song I've been obsessed with lately is a hip-hop tune in the "booty bass" genre. I've been assured by someone "in the know" that it's title is "Let Me Ride That Donkey" by 95 South. Quite catchy, and probably one of the most surreal rap tracks I've ever heard. I find it difficult that a rapper would be so open about his penchant for sex with animals, but I suppose as long as the animal is consenting and of legal age, there really isn't anything wrong with it. Well folks, I'm down to my last slice of Havarti, and will try running it through both mustards. My. What flavor. What a battle of wills and mustards unfolding across the scenic hillside that houses my taste buds. The Maille wins, for it is the most powerful, but it's a battle of flavors I hope to experience again and again. Final Grades: Artist and Album: Outkast: A- Nick Cave: B+ 95 South/Donkey: B- Cheese: Roth Kase Ostenborg Havarti: B+ Mustards: Maille Dijon Originale: A Mendocino Hot and Sweet: A Please feel free to write me at StephenCody2002@yahoo.com if you have any questions, comments, or requests. All cheeses, albums and singles are fair game but the more elitist, the better. I prefer to write about singles, but albums are fun as well. |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| lunchboxing.com 2003 | all content © | all rights reserved | suck it so hard | feel the rhythm of the night |
