Baked Vacherin with Herbs

Baked Vacherin Mont d’Or is a delicious dish with a rich and creamy flavor that takes advantage of the unique characteristic of this French cheese. Here’s how to prepare it, with a touch of herbs to give it an all-Italian flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 Vacherin Mont d’Or of about 500 gr (make sure it is in its wooden box)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 60 ml of dry white wine
• A mix of fresh aromatic herbs to taste (thyme, rosemary, laurel)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Bread, boiled potatoes or raw vegetables to serve

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Carefully remove the Vacherin Mont d’Or lid, if present, and the cellophane.
3. Slice the garlic into thin slices and insert them into the cheese, pushing them down with the help of a knife. Also insert the fresh aromatic herbs, spearing the leaves between the crust and the soft cheese paste.
4. Pour the white wine over the cheese so that it can absorb it and add a pinch of black pepper.
5. Place the cheese (still in its wooden box) on a baking tray to collect any cheese drippings.
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese becomes nicely soft and melting.
7. Serve immediately, using the melted cheese as a fondue to dip pieces of crispy bread, boiled potatoes, or to accompany raw vegetables to taste.

This dish is an explosion of flavors that combines the tradition of French cheese with the aroma of Italian herbs. It’s perfect for a sparkling evening with friends, perhaps accompanied by a good fresh white wine, like a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc, which balance the creaminess of the cheese.

Curiosities

Vacherin Mont d’Or is a seasonal cheese typical of winter; it is produced in Switzerland and France and is sold in round wooden boxes that facilitate baking in the oven. Its edible crust hides an incredibly creamy heart that becomes even more delicious when warmed.