Cheese, port de salut

Port de Salut is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with a mild, buttery flavor and a smooth, supple texture, milder than many other washed-rind styles despite its orange-tinted rind. It is a natural fit for a cheese board alongside fruit, nuts and crusty bread, melts well into a grilled sandwich or over a bowl of French onion soup, and can be sliced over crackers or folded into an omelet for a simple lunch.

Wrap it in wax or cheese paper rather than plastic to let it breathe in the refrigerator, and bring it to room temperature for twenty to thirty minutes before serving to let its full flavor come through rather than serving it cold and firm. Per 100 grams, a cup diced weighs about 132 grams, it delivers 352 calories, 28.2 grams of fat, and 23.8 grams of protein, rich in protein at 48% DV, and it is also a good source of calcium at 50% DV and vitamin A at 35% DV. Sodium runs 534 milligrams per 100 grams, so a modest slice alongside unsalted crackers or fresh fruit rather than cured meats keeps a cheese course balanced, while the sugar content is minimal at 0.57 grams per 100 grams, typical of a firm aged-style cheese rather than a fresh one.