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A Passport to Cheese

75 Inspiring Recipes from Around the World

"Every cheese tells a story: of the place it’s made, of the people who make it, and of course, of the people who eat it." These stories, from maître fromager Afrim Pristine, are at the heart of this gorgeous, internationally-inspired cookbook, which puts cheese at the center of every meal.

A Passport to Cheese is your personal culinary adventure, sure to delight your taste buds and celebrate everyone's favorite ingredient—no planes, trains, or automobiles required. In his second cheesy cookbook, Afrim Pristine, bestselling author and owner of Toronto's beloved Cheese Boutique, has gathered global flavors and international cheese-making traditions in 75 delicious recipes—highlighting everything from creamy French camembert and Italian ricotta, to sharp English cheddar and Danish blue, from fresh Mexican queso fresco, to salty Cypriot halloumi, and more.

  • Cheese all day: Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinners, desserts or even cocktail pairings, you'll find the perfect cheese-focused recipe. 
  • 75 internationally-inspired recipes: Try a French Croque Monsieur with nutty Comté for an indulgent lunch, a Jamaican jerk spice Macaroni Pie with 5-year aged cheddar for dinner, and a Spanish Basque cheesecake for dessert.
  • Shop with confidence: With a comprehensive glossary featuring photos of all the cheeses referenced in the book (and a special list of Afrim's top 13 favorite cheeses), along with storage information and helpful facts as to flavor profiles and countries of origin, you'll know what cheese to buy and how to keep it fresh.
  • Build the cheese board of your dreams! Afrim has included a full chapter of 10 differently-themed boards showcasing cheeses from various countries, as well as guidance on how to develop and build a cheese board of your own.

With Afrim as your tour guide, you're guaranteed an unforgettable journey as you discover the world of cheese. You'll love his inexhaustible passion that leaps off the page, the incredible recipes suitable for every skill level, and the gorgeous photography that is sure to transport you across the globe. Come along for the ride with this essential cookbook, a must-have for your own cheese-loving library, and for every cheese-lover in your life.
“This book rips around the world with flavor, history, and heart. Every page makes you hungry and smarter at the same time. Afrim is THE cheese guy, and everybody should take a spin on his cheese wheel of life.” MATTY MATHESON, New York Times bestselling author, chef, and actor

“Afrim has done it again with inventive and brilliant ways to rediscover everyone’s favorite food group. Celebrating the terroir and makers of cheese from all around the world, A Passport to Cheese takes you on a tasty trip with truly drool-worthy recipes like Cypriot Halloumi Salad with Fresh Peas & Radishes, Swiss Raclette Supernova, and Canadian Baked Brie. Here’s to all the deliciousness without the jetlag!” MARY BERG, cookbook author and host of CTV’s The Good Stuff with Mary Berg

“The ultimate insider’s guide to finding, selecting, and enjoying the world’s greatest cheeses. This is the cheese-lover’s book of dreams.” CHRIS NUTTALL-SMITH, bestselling author of Cook It Wild

“I had the honor of witnessing Afrim’s meticulous approach as he developed recipes. I was moved by his attention to detail and his quest for perfection—worthy of a great chef! This book is a true celebration of cheese, and a tribute to artisan cheesemakers and the flavors that unite us.” JEAN MORIN, Fromagerie du Presbytère

“Afrim Pristine has been my go-to cheesemonger and most trusted affineur for close to thirty years. His passion for quality cheese is so infectious that I count myself lucky if I manage to leave the Cheese Boutique with only three or four extra cheeses that I didn’t know I needed. In this new cookbook you’ll find that his legendary enthusiasm extends to cooking with cheese, too.” JACOB RICHLER, Editor-in-Chief, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants

“Afrim has the rare gift of making the world of cheese a memorable and deeply approachable experience. A Passport to Cheese is a beautiful journey through culture, craft, and flavor, written with expertise that’s full of heart and love. This book belongs in every kitchen.” IRENE MATYS, author of My Cypriot Table
© Paula Wilson
AFRIM PRISTINE is the world’s youngest maître fromager, a highly respected internationally recognized master of cheese. He is the bestselling author of For the Love of Cheese, the host of the TV show Cheese: A Love Story, and the owner of Cheese Boutique in Toronto, a 4-generation, 55-year-old cheese store that houses 500 kinds of cheeses, along with meats, local produce, pastries, and more. He lives in Toronto with his wife and son. View titles by Afrim Pristine

About

"Every cheese tells a story: of the place it’s made, of the people who make it, and of course, of the people who eat it." These stories, from maître fromager Afrim Pristine, are at the heart of this gorgeous, internationally-inspired cookbook, which puts cheese at the center of every meal.

A Passport to Cheese is your personal culinary adventure, sure to delight your taste buds and celebrate everyone's favorite ingredient—no planes, trains, or automobiles required. In his second cheesy cookbook, Afrim Pristine, bestselling author and owner of Toronto's beloved Cheese Boutique, has gathered global flavors and international cheese-making traditions in 75 delicious recipes—highlighting everything from creamy French camembert and Italian ricotta, to sharp English cheddar and Danish blue, from fresh Mexican queso fresco, to salty Cypriot halloumi, and more.

  • Cheese all day: Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinners, desserts or even cocktail pairings, you'll find the perfect cheese-focused recipe. 
  • 75 internationally-inspired recipes: Try a French Croque Monsieur with nutty Comté for an indulgent lunch, a Jamaican jerk spice Macaroni Pie with 5-year aged cheddar for dinner, and a Spanish Basque cheesecake for dessert.
  • Shop with confidence: With a comprehensive glossary featuring photos of all the cheeses referenced in the book (and a special list of Afrim's top 13 favorite cheeses), along with storage information and helpful facts as to flavor profiles and countries of origin, you'll know what cheese to buy and how to keep it fresh.
  • Build the cheese board of your dreams! Afrim has included a full chapter of 10 differently-themed boards showcasing cheeses from various countries, as well as guidance on how to develop and build a cheese board of your own.

With Afrim as your tour guide, you're guaranteed an unforgettable journey as you discover the world of cheese. You'll love his inexhaustible passion that leaps off the page, the incredible recipes suitable for every skill level, and the gorgeous photography that is sure to transport you across the globe. Come along for the ride with this essential cookbook, a must-have for your own cheese-loving library, and for every cheese-lover in your life.

Praise

“This book rips around the world with flavor, history, and heart. Every page makes you hungry and smarter at the same time. Afrim is THE cheese guy, and everybody should take a spin on his cheese wheel of life.” MATTY MATHESON, New York Times bestselling author, chef, and actor

“Afrim has done it again with inventive and brilliant ways to rediscover everyone’s favorite food group. Celebrating the terroir and makers of cheese from all around the world, A Passport to Cheese takes you on a tasty trip with truly drool-worthy recipes like Cypriot Halloumi Salad with Fresh Peas & Radishes, Swiss Raclette Supernova, and Canadian Baked Brie. Here’s to all the deliciousness without the jetlag!” MARY BERG, cookbook author and host of CTV’s The Good Stuff with Mary Berg

“The ultimate insider’s guide to finding, selecting, and enjoying the world’s greatest cheeses. This is the cheese-lover’s book of dreams.” CHRIS NUTTALL-SMITH, bestselling author of Cook It Wild

“I had the honor of witnessing Afrim’s meticulous approach as he developed recipes. I was moved by his attention to detail and his quest for perfection—worthy of a great chef! This book is a true celebration of cheese, and a tribute to artisan cheesemakers and the flavors that unite us.” JEAN MORIN, Fromagerie du Presbytère

“Afrim Pristine has been my go-to cheesemonger and most trusted affineur for close to thirty years. His passion for quality cheese is so infectious that I count myself lucky if I manage to leave the Cheese Boutique with only three or four extra cheeses that I didn’t know I needed. In this new cookbook you’ll find that his legendary enthusiasm extends to cooking with cheese, too.” JACOB RICHLER, Editor-in-Chief, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants

“Afrim has the rare gift of making the world of cheese a memorable and deeply approachable experience. A Passport to Cheese is a beautiful journey through culture, craft, and flavor, written with expertise that’s full of heart and love. This book belongs in every kitchen.” IRENE MATYS, author of My Cypriot Table

Author

© Paula Wilson
AFRIM PRISTINE is the world’s youngest maître fromager, a highly respected internationally recognized master of cheese. He is the bestselling author of For the Love of Cheese, the host of the TV show Cheese: A Love Story, and the owner of Cheese Boutique in Toronto, a 4-generation, 55-year-old cheese store that houses 500 kinds of cheeses, along with meats, local produce, pastries, and more. He lives in Toronto with his wife and son. View titles by Afrim Pristine

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