Like a basic black dress that can be dressed up or down, cheese can go casual or fancy.

Partying with Cheese
Cheese can play an important part in just about any party. Check out these cheese pointers:

• The simplicity of a large chunk of cheese provides a pleasant contrast to the more elaborate items on your appetizer table. Good cheeses to serve this way include: Bel Paese, Boursin, brick, Camembert, fontina, Gouda, Havarti, fresh mozzarella, Port du Salut, Scamorze, and Swiss.
• Host a cheese-tasting party so you and your guests can get acquainted with a number of cheeses. Plan on about 1/4 pound of cheese per person, including a balance of strong and mild cheeses as well as textures ranging from soft to hard. If you like, sample several types of wine, too.
  

• Create an antipasto platter starring cheese to whet the appetite. Start with a variety of very thinly-sliced cold meats, such as garlic salami, mortadella, cappicola, or prosciutto. Next, add a wedge of Gorgonzola or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and shavings of aged provolone or slices of fresh mozzarella. Complete the tray with a variety of olives, pickled peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, fresh vegetables, and perhaps some

• cantaloupe slices, strawberries, or sliced fresh figs.
• To satisfy the craving for just a little something sweet after a delicious dinner, offer a cheese course featuring a selection of cheeses and fresh fruit. Some perfect pairings include ripe pears with a blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola; berries and apples with brie; and oranges with thin wedges of Parmesan or Romano.

Cheese Tips

Shopping for Cheese
When shopping for cheese, put your senses to work. Look, touch, smell, and, if possible, taste the cheese before you buy. If the package is wet and sticky or if the cheese has shrunk in the rind, don't buy it. Avoid cheese with dry and cracked edges, uneven texture, unpleasant odors, and "off" flavors

Storing Cheese

• The key to proper cheese storage is airtight packaging. If the cheese has a rind, leave it on during storage to keep the cheese from drying out. Wrap unused cheese tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then seal in a plastic bag or container with a tight-fitting lid. Store on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in a vegetable bin.