Especially for cheeseheads is a quartet of new books featuring Green County and Green County cheeses. All will be available at Cheese Days in Monroe, or are available online for those who can't wait until September.
"The Compete Idiot's Guide to Cheeses of the World" and "The Cheeses of Wisconsin: A Culinary Travel Guide">
Jeanette Hurt, a travel and freelance writer from the Milwaukee area, co-wrote "Complete Idiot's Guide" with Steve Ehlers, owner of Larry's Brown Deer Market in Milwaukee, which is noted for carrying one of the best cheese selections in the country. The book explains everything readers need to know about European and American cheeses, artisan cheeses, how to shop for cheese, cheese and food and drink pairings, and making and cooking with cheese. It includes information on Roth Kase, Chalet Cheese and Edelweiss Townhall Creamery. It is now available.
"Cheeses of Wisconsin" is due to be released in June. The guide lists the best cheesemakers and cheeses in Wisconsin, noted as the top producer of specialty cheeses. In it, "Hurt embarks on a culinary tour throughout the entire state to find the most innovative and traditional artisans who lovingly and painstakingly cultivate numerous varieties of award-winning cow-, goat-, and sheep's-milk cheeses," according to the Amazon.com description. The paperback includes descriptions of how cheese, yogurt, ice cream and butter are made and includes a list of cheesemakers who allow visitors, where to buy Wisconsin cheese, recipes, wine and beer pairings and travel advice.
Hurt will be signing books in the Cheese Days Hospitality Tent Sept. 20.
"Wisconsin Cheese: A Cookbook and Guide to the Cheeses of Wisconsin">
Milwaukee area authors Martin Hintz and Pam Percy make special note of Green County in their book, which includes more than recipes, cheese trivia, profiles of cheesemakers and cheese tips. Some of the recipes were taken from the Monroe Swiss Singers' cookbook - one used is Ida's Swiss Zucchini Rounds, a recipe from Jocelyn Kline who was the Cheese Days Queen in 1972. Area residents also will be interested in photos from Cheese Days and The Swiss Colony archives, as well as photos of Monroe dairy farmer Randy Wyss at the Cheese Days 2006 cow milking contest, Cheese Days 2006 King and Queen Henry and Melva Tschanz, and Chef Wave Kasprzak of the Dining Room at 209 Main in Monticello. The book is available now.
"Casper Jaggi - Master Swiss Cheese Maker">
Madison author Jerry Apps is well-known for his books about rural living and country life. His latest offering is aimed at readers age 7-12, but appeals to anyone interested in why the Swiss immigrated to the Green County area. The book tells the story of Casper Jaggi, who was just 6 when his father taught him how to make cheese in the Swiss Alps. Jaggi left Switzerland and settled in Green County, where he opened a factory near Brodhead. Area residents will enjoy the photo of Nancy and Bob Faith, the 2004 Green County Cheese Days King and Queen that's included. The book includes educational sidebars, including an explanation of why Swiss cheese has holes.
Apps will be speaking and signing books at Cheese Days in an appearance underwritten by Swiss Colony.