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James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Ali Balingit loves to entertain. She’s happiest when filling her Brooklyn apartment with friends for laid-back get-togethers.
For Abi, the heart of any gathering is friends connecting. But almost equally important as the company is the food, and she says there’s no need to be too fancy. She always keeps chips and salsa, popcorn, and other snacks in the pantry for guests to enjoy. She also makes sure she has a certain cheese on hand in case folks stop by unannounced. Boursin, Abi says, is the perfect cheese for such an occasion.
Boursin is a French cheese that’s been around for about 50 years. It’s creamy and slightly crumbly—the perfect spreadable cheese to serve with crackers or bread.
The classic original flavor is Garlic & Fine Herbs, but Abi reveals: “My favorite flavor is the Shallot & Chive Boursin because I love the extra sweetness from the shallot.” She adds, “I usually serve it on a charcuterie board with hot soppressata, olives, grapes, and these rosemary and olive oil crackers.” And, for dairy-free guests, Boursin also makes a plant-based version.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Abi says it’s easy to keep the seasoned cheese on hand because it’s so versatile that she can use it all over the place. “After watching The Bear, my boyfriend and I have been inspired to add it to our breakfast tacos with soft scrambled eggs and it gives it a sumptuous creaminess as it melts. In the summertime, I crave BLTs, and mixing Boursin with Kewpie mayo makes for the perfectly seasoned spread to slather on the bread.”
Though Boursin has seriously fancy vibes, it’s incredibly easy to find, available at most major grocery stores, and unopened, it lasts for weeks in the fridge—a gift for those busy seasons when it feels like friends are always stopping by unannounced. According to Abi, “it feels like you’re opening a fancy present when you peel back the foil wrapper.”
