April 14, 2021

CAPELLINI WITH CANCOILLOTTE CHEESE

Easy and delicious capellini pasta paired with French Cancoillotte cheese. Cancoillotte is the healthiest cheese.

Unveiling Cancoillotte with Capellini

Ready for your supersonic recipe of the day? We are going to Franche-Comté in my beautiful France to discover the famous Cancoillotte! This semi-liquid cheese made with cow’s milk is obtained from skimmed curdled milk called “metton.” And did you know that the Cancoillotte is actually renowned for being one of the healthiest cheeses possible as it contains only 11% of fat. It is even recommended for diets! Paired with the subtle capellini which cooks in minutes, it is an absolute delight!

The Dairy Jewel of French-Comté

The origins of Cancoillotte can be traced back to the rustic farms and pastoral landscapes of Franche-Comté. It is believed that local farmers, seeking inventive ways to utilize skimmed milk, stumbled upon the magical transformation of metton into this semi-liquid delight.

The Nutritional Prowess of Cancoillotte

What makes Cancoillotte truly exceptional, beyond its taste, is its astonishing nutritional profile. With a mere 11% fat content, it is a dietary marvel that beckons health-conscious gourmands. This cheese, lauded for its protein content, presents an appealing option for those mindful of their caloric intake.

The interplay of textures between the creamy Cancoillotte and the tender capellini is akin to a sonnet composed by a maestro. The pasta’s delicate threads cradle the semi-liquid cheese, allowing it to envelop each strand, miam, miam…

The Art of Pairing: Côtes-de-Bourg (Red) from Bordeaux

My choice today is a red wine, Côtes-de-Bourg from Bordeaux.

Situated 20 kilometres northwest of Bordeaux, (in the charming town of Bourg-sur-Gironde), the Côtes-de-Bourg is marked by an average altitude of 20 meters above sea level. Here, gravel, alluvium, clay, and limestone intermingle, imparting unique and complex characteristics to the wines that emerge from its vineyards.

At the heart of this vinicultural dominance stands the Merlot grape, a regal varietal that commands nearly 65% of the vineyards within the appellation. Marching in step is Cabernet Franc, a fellow luminary, further cementing their status as the paramount grapes of this distinguished territory.

Tannins and Balance

In the glass, the wine reveals its rich personality through a profound dark hue. Red and black fruits dance gracefully alongside fragrant violets, while subtle hints of wood and vanilla add layers of complexity.

A Roman Legacy

The story of Côtes-de-Bourg begins with the Romans, who recognized the potential of this fertile land for viticulture. The first vineyards in the area were founded by these astute oenophiles, setting the stage for centuries of vinicultural excellence.

During the Middle Ages, the town of Bourg burgeoned into a bustling port for wine trade. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers transformed it into a wine hub of immense significance. The vibrant wine trade that thrived here contributed to the development of the vineyards, leaving an indelible mark.

Echoes of Antiquity

The vestiges of the past still linger in the Côtes-de-Bourg, where ancient ruins harken back to its days as a Roman outpost. Ongoing archaeological endeavors and scholarly pursuits continue to unveil the secrets of this storied land, adding depth to its historical narrative.

Franche-Comté delight!

If you have enjoyed this recipe, why not discovering some culinary gem from this beautiful area of France ?

What about a baked Mont d’or or some dry biscuits from Besançon ?

Do not forget to leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! And if you have any variation of this recipe that you would like to share, I would love to hear it.

Happy cooking and bonne dégustation!

Sixtine ;)