Copyright ficoco 2009
In most of my reviews, I include pairings of wine, beer and other foods that go well with cheese. Today I thought I would explore spreads that also add to the enjoyment of cheese.
I have noticed that The Lady, from time-to-time, gets something she calls “samples” which loosely interpreted means “free stuff” to try and hopefully like. That wonderful Abondance was a sample and this week she brought home a small jar of a spread called Ficoco. Holy smokes what a divine creation.
Humankind thinks that the superior (my opinion, not humankinds) feline should not eat certain foods. Thank goodness The Lady pretty much lets me make my own culinary decisions and that has resulted, in my own culture, of me being known as a superior feline foodie… just ask The Brain. Well, you can try, but seldom does he speak to the lowly humankinds… but I digress.
Ficoco is a sweet, trans fat-free spread made from Dalmatian figs and cocoa and pure cane sugar. Now I ask you…what’s not to like about something with cocoa and sugar…oh right…and don’t forget, figs???
The Lady bought at her Kiosk a wedge of Brie de Nangis to accompany the Ficoco which she and The Man had a snack while they watched this silly television show called American Idol where humankinds, who think they can sing, sound pitchy and are forced to suffer through the ridicule of a Brit named Simon Cowell…who, in this feline’s humble opinion, is mostly spot-on…oh right, I was discussing cheese and Ficoco…back on track…
The Man, not your biggest Brie fan, loved the Nangis with the Ficoco spread; but quite frankly I think you could spread Ficoco on most anything and he’d like it (use your imagination). Not to insult Nangis, this is The Lady’s Number One choice in Brie; but my money says it was the Ficoco that caught The Man’s attention. And I have research to back this up (after all I am on earth to observe and observe is what I do best…). In the past, The Lady has brought home Dalmatia Fig Spread and Dalmatia Fig Spread with Orange. Both have a nice portion of cane sugar. The Man liked the cheeses The Lady paired with those two spreads as well…see where I’m going? Common ingredient in all three spreads is cane sugar (well, figs, but that’s not where my money goes…). The Man does have a thing called a “sweet tooth” – and the sweeter the food; the sweeter the tooth…
The Lady paired the Dalmatia Fig Spread with Queso Iberico and that pairing was the feline’s meow. With the Dalmatia Fig with Orange Spread she chose Idiazabal; again another excellent pairing. The Lady knows her pairings…
Here are a few other suggestions for pairing these three spreads:
- Proscuitto and Walnuts
- Pears and Blue Cheese
- Bread and Kerrygold Butter
- Yogurt
- Glaze for Chicken, Varanus komodoensis and Pork
- Ice Cream
Dalmatia Fig Spread with Orange won the prestigious 2004 NASFT Gold Medal.
I give Fig Spread and Fig Spread with Orange 3 out of 4 Paws (cause that’s all I’ve got) and I give Ficoco 4 out of 4 Paws (again, cause that’s all I’ve got).
12 comments
The Fair Oaks Farm Cheese Board « Cheesemonger’s Weblog says:
Feb 19, 2010
[...] Foodie (that would be moi) a selection of spreads to accent the cheeses and The Man chose the Dalmatian Orange-Fig Spread and pronounced it a perfect pairing. Personally I would love to have this cheese served with a [...]
Campo de Montalban « Cheesemonger’s Weblog says:
Feb 26, 2010
[...] Suggestions: The Man put a little dollop of Dalmatian Fig Spread on his and pronounced (he likes to do that… a lot) it a perfect pairing. And here’s a [...]
Edelweiss Bavarian Blue « Cheesemonger’s Weblog says:
Mar 28, 2010
[...] It is very spreadable and The Lady and I enjoyed our wedge with freshly baked French Baguette and Dalmatian Fig Spread. It was a delightful afternoon spent at the [...]
Old Amsterdam Gourmet Biscuits « Cheesemonger Recipes says:
Mar 28, 2010
[...] Serve with butter and Dalmatian Fig Spread. [...]
Pasture Pride Juusto and Guusto Baked Cheeses « Cheesemonger's Weblog says:
May 24, 2010
[...] Serving Suggestions: These cheeses can be served as appetizer, entrée or dessert. Top it with mushrooms, asparagus or grilled onions. As a dessert, serve it with jam or honey or Ficoco Spread. [...]
Golden Glen Creamery Cheese Plate « Cheesemonger's Weblog says:
Jun 18, 2010
[...] and pleasantly sour and had a slightly bitter after taste which I really liked. The Lady served Ficoco with it and Vinta Crackers from Canada’s Dare [...]
Carr Valley Mixed Milk Cheese Plate « Cheesemonger's Weblog says:
Jun 20, 2010
[...] Marisa took home a First Place Ribbon in its class at the 2005 American Cheese Society. The Dalmatian Fig Spread added just the right amount of [...]
The Ilbesa Family of Cheeses « Cheesemonger's Weblog says:
Jan 7, 2011
[...] to preserve the integrity of the first tastings. Then after the notes were done, she added Dalmatia Fig Spread, Ficoco and Strawberry preserves to the board to compliment the cheeses. She also had a few green grapes [...]
“April is Grilled Cheese Month” #10: Croatian Grilled Cheese « Cheesemonger Recipes says:
Apr 10, 2011
[...] Dalmatian Fig Spread – either in the sandwich or on the side for dipping – we had it on the side. [...]
A Soft-Ripened Cheese Plate of Canadian Award-Winners | Marcella The Cheesemonger says:
Oct 2, 2011
[...] and added a nice texture to the experience. We tasted it naked and then The Lady served it with Ficoco spread. Chocolate and triple cream… what could be better? In 2010, this cheese won a Gold Medal in its [...]
April is Grilled Cheese Month: #10 Olivio with Dalmatia Fig Spread | Marcella The Cheesemonger says:
Apr 10, 2012
[...] paired with the Kalamata olives tucked inside and topped with the rich, sweetness of the Dalmatia Fig Spread… now THIS is a grilled [...]
April is Grilled Cheese Month: #12 Bleubry with Ficoco Fig Spread | Marcella The Cheesemonger says:
Apr 29, 2012
[...] we chose to pair this amazing cheese with Ficoco Fig Spread… oh boy… The Man swooned; I swooned; The Lady swooned… and you’re gonna [...]