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 Ewe Go, Cheese LoversAugust 5, 2007 (NEW JERSEY) The cave-aged cheeses at the Sheep Shoppe in Long Valley are bold and assertively artisanal. The store opened in 2005 on the site of the Valley Shepherd Creamery, which makes more than a dozen types of European-style cheeses, including varieties made only with sheep’s milk and others that combine sheep and cow’s milk. A hunk of the signature Oldwick Shepherd, a slightly nutty cheese with an earthy rind, will make any cheese plate complete ($21 a pound). It’s similar to a mild Manchego. The Brielle, the creamery’s full-bodied version of Brie, goes nicely with a baguette ($14 a pound). If you like blue cheese, the strong Bababloo is a good choice ($18 a pound). Other interesting cheeses include the Tartuffo Shepherd ($24; limited supply), which is flecked with black Tuscan truffles, and the Nettlesome ($18.50), with stinging nettles (dried, they don’t irritate). Availability varies, so call ahead if you are looking for a particular cheese. The old-fashioned ricotta cheese made from whey is perfect to use in homemade ravioli ($4.50 a pound). Or you can buy a package of fresh spinach ravioli ($5.79; other fillings available). The ravioli is made for the creamery by Lucy’s Ravioli Kitchen and Market in Princeton, using Valley Shepherd’s own ricotta. The “schmeerage” cream cheese includes a garlic chive variety that will certainly wake up your breakfast bagel ($4.50 for around 8 ounces). The tangy “ewegurt” is a sheep’s-milk yogurt that has the consistency of sour cream ($1.75 for a 6-ounce container). Eran Wajswol, who operates Valley Shepherd Creamery with his wife, Debra, is eager to share his knowledge of cheese making. If you want to learn, the creamery’s tours (available on weekends in spring and summer) and cheese-making classes may be of interest. But if you just want to taste, you can do that, too: The Sheep Shoppe offers samples. Sheep Shoppe at Valley Shepherd Creamery, 50 Fairmount Road, Long Valley; (908) 876-3200. Open Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; www.valleyshepherd.com.
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