New range of "Tesco's Entertaining cheese" - Review and ideas

Tesco has just launched a new range of cheeses for entertaining. I must admit there are some pretty good stuff out there ! And what's even better, BzzAgent was offering a campaign to try the new cheeses ;-)

What is available ?

 CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE(LY) DELICIOUS LINE-UP The new Tesco Cheeses for Entertainment range offers something for everyone — and for any occasion!

Whether it’s a dinner party, date or football match, choose the right cheese for your next get-together:

 TOPPERS 
Goat’s Cheese with Flame Roasted Red Pepper Dressing 
Italian Mozzarella with Green Pesto Dressing 
Feta Cheese with Semidried Tomato and Kalamata Olives 
FILLERS 
Ricotta Cheese with Roasted Garlic and Herbs 
Mexican-Style Monterey Jack 
COLD CHEESES 
Halloumi Slices in Sweet Chilli Dressing 
Goat’s Cheese & Caramelised Onion Canapés Kit 
Feta Cheese in a Tomato & Red Pepper Chutney 
HOT CHEESES 
Halloumi Cheese, Green Olives & Semidried Tomato Skewers 
Cheddar Cheese Soufflé 
Goat’s Cheese Wrapped in Bacon 
Baking Camembert with a Sweet Chilli Glaze 
Baking Camembert with a Caramelised Onion Glaze

N.'s favourite cheese is Goat cheese, so I started by trying out the Goat's cheese wrapped in bacon.
I made a salad (watercress, spinach and roquette) with hazelnut oil and cider vinaigrette.

As simple as ABC, the only secret is to keep the pan on medium heat, pre-heat before you add the bacon parcels.

What do you need :

- 2 handfuls of roquette, spinach and watercress (They come in a single bag at Tesco)
- 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tsp hazelnut or walnut oil
- Tesco's Goat's cheese wrapped in bacon

What do you do ?

1. Pre-heat the pan to medium heat. As the bacon is quite fatty, there is no need to add extra oil
2. Place the parcels in the pan and leave for a couple of minutes to brown









3. Meanwhile, (providing the salad is pre-washed); place a handful of salad in a soup-plate
4. Make the vinaigrette : in a bowl, pour the cider vinegar and add the salt to dissolve





5. Add the oil and beat with a fork. You never add salt directly onto the salad and it is easier to add to
the vinegar. The oil will prevent the salt to mix evenly but the vinegar will help dissolve it.
6. Turn the parcels in the pan and brown the other side
7. Mix the vinaigrette to the salad. I have to confess I always drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and mix with my hands … much easier and a much more even result ;-)
8. Place the parcels on top of the salad … et voilà !
You could add a crouton of French baguette under the parcels but I love the melting goat's cheese coating the salad as I cut into the parcels

My verdict : 

The bacon is fab, thin enough to protect the cheese whilst cooking and add some taste but not as much as overpowering the cheese.

As you cook the parcels, the cheese will soften into a smooth creamy texture.

The bacon will add a sweetish touch whilst the cheese cuts through with a fresh and zingy feel on your palate.
This works a treat with the hazelnut and cider vinaigrette. Which both compliments the bacon and cheese.
The watercress' stems will add a nice crunchy texture; the roquette and watercress a peppery hint and the spinach the final milder touch.