Bite Me!

You might be wondering about the picture on the left - is it pineapple?  Or pencil shavings?  Despite looking a little like both, it's actually a French cheese called Tete de Moine (monk's head).  Its strange appearance comes from a machine called a Girolle, which scrapes the cheese off in thin shavings from the top (for more info have a look here).  The cheese itself has a very pungent smell and equally strong taste, and a lovely melting creamy texture.  It would be fabulous in a sandwich with some strong chutney or even in a pasta bake, but I like it best on its own, eaten straight from the tub.