inStorebuyer - April 2011 - 51

cheesecorner
INNOVATIONS IN DELI CHEESE

for take-and-bake pies, a happy medium between takeout and frozen. Retailers preparing these pizzas inhouse can take advantage of deli and produce offerings to create appealing topping combinations. Or, you can create a build-your-own pizza station by adding a selection of specialty cheeses and meats to standard salad bar fare. Healthy Grain Salads. Retailers are going way beyond potato salad and coleslaw to offer healthy, hearty, whole-grain salads that consumers crave. Cheese adds a savory, satisfying note to these vegetarian-friendly salads. Start with whole grains—such

as quinoa, bulgur, faro or fregola— and mix in seasonal vegetables, beans or lentils, specialty cheeses, and a simple vinaigrette. It’s a balanced option sure to please. Mac & Cheese. This classic comfort food pairs well with popular roasted and fried chicken items, but with endless varieties and add-ins, it can easily stand on its own. Make it a meal with recipes such as Crab Bisque Macaroni and Wisconsin Cheese, or Wisconsin Pepato Cheese and Artichoke Bake. Both recipes are available at http:// eatwisconsincheese.com. Gourmet Sandwiches. With a variety of deli meat on hand, this

is a no-brainer, and many retailers are already offering customized sandwiches. Up the ante with specialty cheese and interesting additions such as gourmet mustards, chutneys and pickled vegetables. Ready to Grill. Make the meat counter a little more enticing by stuffing burger patties with cubed Smoked Gouda or crumbled Blue Cheese. Breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day. Are you leveraging its full potential? Breakfast sandwiches are easy to grab and go, whether it’s the classic bacon, egg and cheese or an omelet with fresh veggies and Feta.

Spotlight on Mozzarella
When you think of mozzarella, you might imagine tearing apart sheets of string cheese or mounds of it shredded atop a pizza or inside lasagna. But the modern mozzarella has grown far beyond that. Today, consumers can pick up fresh mozzarella in just about any shape or size, in just about any specialty cheese case. In fact, according to the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association, fresh mozzarella has steadily been gaining in popularity since it came onto the American cheese scene only a few years ago. Fresh mozzarella is typically packed in brine and vacuum-sealed for a maximum shelf life. It can come in many shapes and sizes, according to IDDBA’s What’s in Store, including: pearls, ciliegne (cherry size), ovaline (egg size), logs and sheets. Fresh mozzarella that comes in sheets can be topped with thin meats or vegetables and then rolled up and sliced for a colorful addition to an appetizer tray. Other mozzarella can come prefilled with foods such as ham, prosciutto, olives or tomatoes. Here are a few tips from Bel Gioso Cheese on ways you can include fresh mozzarella with your instore offerings. • Top Italian bread with grilled eggplant, tomato, fresh basil and mozzarella. • Make a caprese salad with red and yellow tomatoes and sliced fresh mozzarella. • Top salad greens with ciliegne mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with fresh basil.

| inStorebuyer | April 2011 | 51 |

inStorebuyer - April 2011

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