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WELCOME TO THE DECONSTRUCTED GRILLED CHEESE CURDBOX!
Golden, crisp, and irresistibly gooey—the grilled cheese sandwich is a true culinary classic that never goes out of style. With National Grilled Cheese Day on April 12th—it’s the perfect time to celebrate this beloved comfort food. While the traditional version is undeniably satisfying, part of its magic lies in its endless adaptability. With a variety of cheeses, breads, and creative add-ins to choose from, there are countless ways to make it your own. Whether kept simple or elevated with bold flavors, each variation offers a unique and comforting experience. Its warm, melty center and perfectly toasted exterior evoke a sense of contentment and satisfaction—making it a long-time favorite for people of all ages. Whether enjoyed as a quick bite or dressed up with gourmet flair—the grilled cheese sandwich remains a timeless symbol of delicious simplicity.
Mild Cheddar by Hook's
Tucked into the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, Hook’s Cheese Company crafts their Mild Cheddar with the kind of quiet precision that only decades of experience can bring. This young, orange-hued cheddar, aged just one to four months, carries a soft, milky brightness that speaks to its freshness and the quality of the milk sourced from the same trusted local farms for over thirty years. Its texture is a pleasing blend—smooth, yet lightly crumbly—with a gentle springiness that makes it especially well-suited for melting. On the palate, it offers a creamy richness balanced by a subtle sharpness that never overpowers, allowing delicate hints of sweetness and dairy to linger. Founded by Tony and Julie Hook in 1976, the creamery has grown into a respected name in American cheesemaking, celebrated for its cheddars that range from tender and youthful to boldly aged. With Tony’s 50+ years of expertise and Julie’s historic win as the first woman to take top honors at the World Championship Cheese Contest—every wheel they produce carries the depth of their dedication and the spirit of Wisconsin’s cheese tradition.
Asiago Fresco DOP by Silano
From the lush dairy heartlands of Italy, Silano’s Asiago Fresco DOP is a celebration of craftsmanship and regional tradition, capturing the soul of its Alpine roots with a distinctly fresh character. Made from whole cow’s milk and aged for just about a month, this young cheese boasts a moist, yielding paste and a rich, buttery flavor profile that is delicately laced with a yogurt-like tang. Unlike its aged counterpart, which is often firm and sharp, Asiago Fresco remains soft and supple, offering a luscious mouthfeel that speaks to its higher fat content and gentle aging process. Its flavor is a harmony of creaminess and mild sweetness, making it a warm and inviting presence on any table. It melts beautifully, making it an exceptional choice for grilled cheese—where its soft texture and subtle tang shine with each golden, crisp bite. Produced by Silano, a modern steward of Italy’s culinary heritage, this cheese reflects a devotion to authenticity and excellence, with every wheel embodying the time-honored techniques of the region.
Pesto Primo Sale by I Siciliani
Born from the pastoral landscapes of Sicily, Pesto Primo Sale from I Siciliani is a tender tribute to the island’s deep-rooted cheesemaking heritage. Made from pure sheep’s milk and aged only briefly, this young, rindless cheese glows with a bright white paste and offers a soft, creamy texture that melts effortlessly on the tongue. Its flavor is gentle and milky, laced with a touch of salt and a whisper of wild herbs, thanks to the addition of fragrant pesto folded delicately into the curd. This infusion of pesto doesn’t just elevate the cheese—it introduces a fresh, herbaceous character that brings a unique and unexpected twist to a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The aroma is vivid and earthy, a mix of dairy warmth and herbal brightness that calls to mind Sicily’s sun-drenched fields and coastal breezes. At I Siciliani, each wheel is made with the knowledge passed down by generations of shepherds and dairy farmers, transforming simple ingredients into something quietly remarkable—an authentic expression of Sicilian land and culture.
And here are the pairing items that go along with these amazing cheeses…
Jambon de Paris by Schaller & Weber
In the heart of New York City, where old-world tradition meets metropolitan refinement, Schaller & Weber continues to honor the legacy of fine European charcuterie. Since 1937, this iconic butcher shop has been crafting artisanal meats with unwavering dedication to time-honored techniques. Among their standout offerings is the Jambon de Paris—a classic French bistro-style ham that whispers of Parisian cafés and quiet, cobbled streets. Made from humanely raised, vegetarian-fed pork, this ham is delicately spiced and slowly cooked in its own juices, resulting in a supremely tender texture and a flavor that is both rich and refined. Unlike many other hams, it is unsmoked and lower in sodium, allowing the natural sweetness of the meat to shine through. Its traditional fat cap preserves moisture and lends a silken, almost luxurious mouthfeel that elevates even the simplest presentation. With each slice, Schaller & Weber’s Jambon de Paris offers more than just a taste of France—it’s a carefully preserved story of craft, heritage, and quiet culinary excellence.
Fresh Tomato Jam by Blake Hill
Blake Hill Preserves, a beloved Vermont-based maker of fine jams and condiments, brings their signature craftsmanship to life in this award-winning Fresh Tomato Jam. A 2023 Good Food Award winner—it’s made with care using organic cherry and heirloom tomatoes grown just down the road at Honey Field Farm. The jam brims with sun-ripened sweetness, balanced by a savory depth and a touch of aromatic Italian herbs that lend it an earthy brightness. Rich, vibrant, and bursting with natural flavor, it offers a delicious contrast of sweet and savory that elevates any pairing. It was designed for pairing with cheeses or charcuterie, but the natural sweetness will perfectly complement your savory grilled cheese. With each jar, Blake Hill captures the spirit of Vermont’s local harvest and turns it into something beautifully bold, refreshingly refined, and unmistakably artisanal.
Seed Style Mustard by Edmond Fallot
Crafted in the heart of Burgundy by one of France’s last independent mustard mills, Edmond Fallot’s Seed Style Mustard is a testament to enduring tradition and refined taste. Established in 1840 and family-run since 1928, the Fallot Moutarderie continues to uphold the artisanal techniques of old—stone-grinding carefully selected mustard seeds to preserve their essential oils and nuanced flavor. This old-fashioned, seed-forward mustard offers a rustic texture that’s both hearty and elegant, with a mild, smooth profile and just a hint of spice. Its grainy character adds visual charm and depth, while its flavor evokes the classic Provencal spirit that defines the region. Edmond Fallot’s commitment to heritage, quality, and the delicate art of balance has earned their mustards a place at the tables of discerning cooks and fine food lovers around the world—each jar a quiet homage to craftsmanship that never compromises.
And with that... we wrap up this month’s box.
So whether enjoyed in its purest form or transformed into something more inventive—the grilled cheese remains a dish that always feels like home, evoking warmth, nostalgia, and the kind of contentment that only a perfectly made sandwich can bring.
We’ll see you next month.
Did you take some photos while enjoying this box that you were thinking of adding to Instagram? Please tag us @curdbox along with our cheese and pairing-partners: @hookscheeseco, @schallerweber, @blakehillpreserves, and @moutardesfallot. We love to see our cheese lovers enjoying their boxes!
