Recently Consumed - The Online Ordering Edition: Cheese from Stepladder Creamery and Salumi from Salumi Chicago

One thing I'll say about our current situation is that I've finally started ordering foodstuff online....and no, I don't mean those food delivery apps..... What I'm referring to is going thru various lists and references to fill our larder and our stomachs......if you're reading our little blog; you know I'm already sold on the quality of Rancho Gordo's beans and nixtamalized corn. It's amazing how quickly the dried beans cook, the flavors are amazing, and it's definitely worth the price.

Having dipped my feet in the water and with the recent almost record setting heat, I went and ordered from two other producers, with success.

Stepladder Creamery:

Well, you know how the Missus and I enjoy a cheese board when the weather gets warmer....and yes, I do keep a Cheese Journal. We've done the Sonoma-Marin Cheese Trail and cheese has become a large part of our travels; we even did a fun cheese tasting in Paris.....I'll get to that post soon.

So, why not order cheese directly from the cheesemaker? I saw this fantastic post on Madame Fromage's Blog and noticed that one of the cheesemakers mentioned was Stepladder Creamery, which is located in Cambria. So, I placed an order for the Small Cheese Plate Bundle - $50. Free shipping with orders over $50. It was shipped overnight (they ship on Mondays) and arrived in beautiful shape.

Wasn't sure about how we'd enjoy the Fromage Blanc, but the spicy fromage blanc is quite good smeared on bread! Nice and smoky.

The interesting this was; we probably got too excited when this first arrived and set it out right away, with only a 15-20 minute time to bring to temp. It was still a bit too chilled and we weren't too impressed.

But, on our second meal; it was warmer and the cheese came up to temp nicely and we really enjoyed the cheese.

I took to the Paso Vino, which had a nice richness, along with an almost stone-fruit/"pruniness". Loved the texture once it reaches room temp. The Missus really enjoyed the Big Sur, which was smooth, rich, with a nutty finish.

Stepladder Creamery Website

Salumi Chicago:

I first read about Greg Laketek and Salumi Chicago in this wonderful post on Fooditor. It's a great story, quote the Chicago Salumi website; "Greg Laketek quit his day job and booked a one-way ticket to Parma, Italy, the home of Prosciutto, seeking to train under the best salumiere in the world." Awesome. Parma? Oh man......memories of eating Ciccioli and Culatello di Zibello in the steps of San Petronio Basilica! Anyway, there was a free shipping with orders over $50 on the Salumi Chicago website. I placed an order....and waited until our package arrived. These products are shelf stable, so it handles the priority shipping well.

We bought an extra Salami Tartufo for Frankie's auntie "Alle"...who, being half Italian, loves all the good stuff from the "old country". We also got Chorizo for the Missus who loves the stuff and a Soppressata (all uncured).

All three were wonderful! The soppressata was a nice surprise as it had a good "kick" from the Calabrian peppers. Nicely balanced pork-salt-fat, great texture....perhaps the best I've had outside of Italy! Only heritage hogs are used, these are really delicious high quality products and we'll keep ordering. Can't wait to try the 'Nduja!

Salumi Chicago Website

So, a hundred bucks later, I felt both purchases were well worth the money....you got excellent product from the producers. Shipping was free and this was totally worth the money.

Have you been ordering food/products online directly from the producers?

I'd like to know how that's working out for you.

As always, any recommendations are much welcomed!

Comments

[kat]

we have been ordering food items online. it really helps not having to go out.

[Kirk]

It sure does Kat!

[RedDevil]

I have ordered various items from Goldbelly. Expensive and not as good as in person but hard to get good NY or Chicago style pizza and deli (order from zabar’s in NYC, Goldbelly or Langer’s in LA) in SD.Tried Rancho Gordo after being inspired by you and others online but was sold out of everything. Take care

[Kirk]

Hi RD - I've read about Goldbelly. I see that RG is still in short supply of most beans, but had read an email that they should be restocked by the end of May...so hopefully soon. We all need a bit of "comfort" these days and comfort is not excluded. Hope all is well.