Hirtenkäse

[1][2] Traditionally, herders in the Allgäu region drive their cows downhill from their summer grazing pastures on the slopes of the Alps to farmers' stalls in the valleys, in order to spend the winter sheltered from the elements.

A reviewer at the San Francisco Chronicle prefers complementing the cheese, writing, "I want a nutty, slightly sweet wine with it, such as an oloroso sherry or a Madeira.

"[2] iGourmet suggests contrasting the cheese: Hirtenkase is wonderful with German whole grain breads, fresh and dried fruits, like apples and figs.

Excellent also when coarsely grated over roasted potatoes, mixed into hot pasta with chucks of ripe tomatoes, shaved over a crisp salad.

Enjoy Hritenkase with a glass of wheat beer like a Hefeweizen, or a full bodied red wine.Like the bacon-and-chicken liver rumaki, this cheese can be combined with other foods in interesting ways to mix salty and savory flavors.