Say Cheese!

 

The West of Ireland is consistently producing more and more fantastic farmhouse cheeses, and the quality of produce is obvious judging by the numerous awards constantly rolling westward.

One such producer is that of Killeen Farmhouse. Situated just out the road in Portumna, Killeen Farm is producing some very exciting cows and goats cheeses, based loosely around the Gouda recipe.

Over the past few years farm owners Haske Knippels and Marion Roeleveld have transformed a one time small goat farm into an award winning and thriving cheese business.

At Kai we are lucky enough to be able to use the farms cow and goats cheese in a selection of our dishes in both the café and the restaurant. It is an adaptable robust cheese, and the customers love it.

They say the proof is in the pudding, and in terms of awards, Killeen has cleaned up. Among the numerous accolades the farm was crowned Supreme Champion at the Irish Cheese Awards 2011 and scooped three major category awards at the British Cheese Festival Awards last September.

To further cement the impact Killeen Farmhouse has made on the food world it is soon to be welcomed to the aisles of Harrods prestigious foodhall.

All cheese on the farm is handmade from pasteurised milk using traditional animal rennet.

Cheeses are matured for a minimum of six weeks, while the cows cheese is matured for up to 12 months.

The goat’s milk is produced from the farms own herd of goats which are grown naturally on a diet of grass, while the cows milk is sourced from a local dairy farmer. This close relationship between the beginning and end product allows  Killeen cheese to be fully traceable, and of a consistent quality.

Killeen Farmhouse Cheese is available in the following varieties:
Goat:
Plain goat (6-8 weeks)
Mature goat (4-5 months)
Italian herbs & olives
Fenugreek (walnut flavour)

Cow:
Mild Gouda (6-8 weeks old)
Medium mature (4-5 months)
Mature (8 months +)
Italian herbs & olives
Garlic & herbs
Basil & garlic
Cumin

Killeen cheese is on the menu at Kai on a regular basis, and if your interested in buying some to take him it is available from Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Mc Cambridges, Mortons, and farmers markets in Galway.

For more information on Kai visit www.kaicaferestaurant.com

For more information on Killeen Farmhouse you can email them directly killeen.cheese@gmail.com