Discovering Camembert de Normandie: A Tale of Marie Harel’s Culinary Ingenuity
March 24, 2024Perfect Match for Christmas
December 12, 2025
The festive season calls for warm, comforting dishes, and nothing is more satisfying than a beautiful, gooey, baked cheese paired with the finest cured meats. At Charcuterie Suzanne, we’ve selected six beautiful cheeses that transform when heated, offering a luxurious starter or centerpiece for your Christmas Eve gathering. Pair these melted marvels with our best cured meats, like the sweet Prosciutto Crudo Dolce Reserva or the rich Salame Cinghale, for a truly unforgettable experience.
Find all these beautiful cheeses and the best selection of Prosciutto, Salame Cinghale, Mortadella di Asino, and other exquisite cured meats at Charcuterie Suzanne in PAVI and PAMA.
Gruyère
Why it Melts Well: Known for its wonderful meltability due to its moisture and fat content. Festive Appeal: A classic for fondue and gratins, Gruyère becomes creamy and nutty when melted. Its rich, deep flavor pairs beautifully with hearty winter breads.
Raclette
Why it Melts Well: This semi-hard cheese was literally created to be melted! Festive Appeal: Truly amazing for melting over boiled potatoes, pickles, or steamed vegetables. When heated, it becomes pungent, savory, and incredibly gooey, offering a delightful interactive meal.
Comté
Why it Melts Well: As an Alpine-style cheese, its texture ensures a slow, even, and smooth melt. Festive Appeal: It melts into a rich, buttery, and slightly caramelized sauce that is excellent for dipping. It provides a more nuanced, sweet flavor compared to Gruyère.
Morbier
Why it Melts Well: Its semi-soft texture and high moisture content mean it becomes extremely pliable and creamy when introduced to gentle heat. Festive Appeal: When baked, its creamy texture is enhanced, becoming wonderfully soft. The subtle tanginess makes it a versatile cheese for dipping, especially good with salty cured meats.
Fontina
Why it Melts Well: Fontina is famous for its exceptional melting quality, especially in Italian sauces. Festive Appeal: It maintains a mild, nutty flavor and melts incredibly evenly without becoming oily. This is the perfect, smooth-melting cheese for making a sophisticated cheese sauce or serving as a clean, mild option on the board.
Camembert
Why it Melts Well: Its soft, bloomy rind and high fat content ensure the interior turns into liquid gold when baked. Festive Appeal: The quintessential baked cheese! Baking enhances its soft, earthy, and creamy notes. Simply score the top, drizzle with honey and thyme, and bake until the center is wonderfully molten—perfect for crusty bread or dipping crudités.
