Cheesecake lovers, rejoice! There’s nothing like sinking your fork into a creamy, luscious cheesecake. But what separates an ordinary cheesecake from a truly great one? Is it the texture, the flavor, or perhaps the crust? This post will explore the key ingredients and techniques that make a cheesecake exceptional. Let’s dive into the delectable world of cheesecake perfection!

  1. Quality Ingredients:

The foundation of any great cheesecake is the use of high-quality ingredients. Opt for premium cream cheese, fresh eggs, and pure vanilla extract. These ingredients form the base of your cheesecake and are responsible for its smooth and velvety texture and rich flavor. Using top-notch ingredients will set the stage for a remarkable cheesecake.

  1. The Perfect Crust:

The crust is the unsung hero of the cheesecake. An excellent cheesecake crust should be crisp and buttery, whether made from graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or cookies. To add an extra layer of flavor, consider toasting your crust before adding the filling. This step enhances the overall taste and texture of your cheesecake.

  1. The Creamy Filling:

The hallmark of a great cheesecake is its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth filling. Mix your cream cheese, sugar, and other flavorings (like lemon zest or chocolate) until perfectly smooth. Be sure not to overmix, which can lead to a denser texture. The addition of eggs should be gradual and gentle to prevent air bubbles from forming. This ensures a silky consistency.

  1. Baking Technique:

Proper baking is critical to cheesecake success. Bake your cheesecake in a water bath to ensure even heat distribution and to prevent cracking. A water bath also helps maintain the moisture content, resulting in a creamy texture. Additionally, always follow the recipe’s suggested baking time and temperature for the best results.

  1. Cooling and Setting:

Once your cheesecake has finished baking, let it cool gradually in the oven with the door ajar. This helps prevent sudden temperature changes that can cause cracks. Afterward, chill your cheesecake for several hours, or preferably overnight, to let it set completely. This chilling process allows the flavors to meld and intensify.

  1. Topping and Garnishes:

A delectable topping can take a great cheesecake to the next level. Fresh fruit compote, chocolate ganache, or a drizzle of caramel sauce can complement the creamy cheesecake. Get creative with your toppings to add visual appeal and enhance flavor.

  1. Presentation and Slicing:

When serving your cheesecake, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean and precise slices. A neat presentation can elevate the overall experience and make your cheesecake even more enticing, both on the plate and in the eyes of your guests.

While crafting the perfect cheesecake can be a rewarding endeavor, it’s essential to acknowledge that achieving the level of excellence found in a Cotton Blues Cheesecake may not be the most straightforward feat. Cotton Blues Cheesecake, known for its exceptional quality and flavor, has mastered the art of cheesecake creation over time. Our cheesecakes are meticulously crafted with the finest ingredients, ensuring a consistently delicious and velvety experience with every bite. Buying a Cotton Blues Cheesecake can be a delectable solution for those who seek convenience without compromising on taste, allowing you to indulge in cheesecake perfection effortlessly.

Start with fresh corn

At Cotton Blues in Hattiesburg Mississippi, we go through close to 200 pounds a month of grits. They’re stone ground in Oxford, Mississippi with a 1910 grist mill. The high-quality corn and stone ground process allows the ground corn to absorb spices better than the typical steel milled corn you find in the store.

Our grits are milled by “The Original Grit Girl” and when they arrive at Cotton Blues they are no more than three days old.

See the stone ground process

We want our customers to see where their food is coming from, so we took a trip to Oxford so you can learn about the process. Watch the video below!

At Cotton Blues we believe in supporting our neighbors as much as possible. So we source catfish, grits, milk, rabbit, coffee, bread and other ingredients from small businesses here in Mississippi.

Cotton Blues is open seven days a week in Hattiesburg Mississippi and you’ll find a great assortment of dishes on our extensive menu. All food is prepared with fresh ingredients for the best taste. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available to please all of our guests.

All Rights Reserved. Cotton Blues 2012-2018.

No bride wants to think about it, but a catering disaster can strike on a wedding day.

The team at Cotton Blues has tended to thousands of weddings, and they know all the ins and outs of catering. Together, they’ve compiled a list of the most critical questions you should be asking your wedding caterer so you can be sure the business you hire is up to the challenge.

1. Will we run out of food?

Avoid caterers that want you to plan using “piece counts.” For example, this is where a caterer intends to bill you for 200 crab cakes for 200 guests.

“Piece counting” is an efficient business model for the caterer because it allows them to assure no food is wasted. But “piece counts” are lousy news for a bride and groom and places a significant burden on them to guess the right amount of food.

A quality wedding caterer will use a per-head pricing model.

A stellar caterer will do the same, but also prepare for a 10% increase over your final guarantee.

 

Caterers that are in the business for the long haul know their name is on the line when they cater a wedding, and they’ll want to ensure your family and friends are well fed.

2. Are there hidden fees?

Just like buying a car, sometimes you may only consider the sticker price. But anyone that’s purchased a car before knows you’re also going to have to cough up extra cash for the taxes and title.

Once your caterer gives you their estimate, be sure and ask them if that includes the tax, service fees or any other hidden charges.

3. What happens once the food is delivered?

Some caterers may only give you a quote for the food, but who’s responsible for the food once it arrives at your venue? A caterer that offers servers can be critical to ensuring your friends and family enjoy your wedding.

Is the food being dropped off?
Who’s responsible for serving guests food and drinks?
Who’s maintaining that trays are full and food stays at the proper temperature?
Who’s responsibility is it to bus tables?

 

Your wedding is your day, and it’s supposed to be stress-free. If your caterer can affordably provide some servers, take them up on it.

4. Does the price include serving dishes, plates, cutlery, tables, and tablecloths?

An experienced caterer knows how to make your wedding food beautiful. Be sure and ask the caterer if they have a creative way to display the food.

Wedding Catering Hattiesburg Laurel Mississippi

Disposable serving trays do not display as well as a themed approach using heavy duty platters.

If it’s within your budget, your display should be consistent with your theme and venue.

Wedding Catering Tips

A great caterer will offer creative ways to display your food. Choosing real cutlery and serving dishes can make a big difference in your presentation.

5. Can your caterer provide a reference list of previous wedding parties?

We now live in a world where you can find ratings of most businesses online. However, many independent caterers are small operations and crowdsourced reviews of their company may not register online.

If you’re considering using a “mom and pop” catering operation, don’t hesitate to ask if they can show you some references or testimonials from their past work. It may also be wise to ask your venue coordinator if they’ve ever worked with the caterer you’re considering?

6. Does your caterer use a contract?

When it comes to booking a caterer, contracts are a good thing.

It’s typical for a caterer to want money in advance of the event, but you deserve some guarantees as well.

Do not give your caterer money unless you have a contract that guarantees they will execute your function or return your money.

Local news stations have covered hundreds of wedding day horror stories where caterers have taken cash and then vanished.

Further, many caterers operate on thin margins, and they sometimes go out of business before your event. Don’t get burned by a fly by the night caterer.

Best wedding Caterer Hattiesburg Mississippi

7. Does your caterer work out of a state health inspected facility?

The thought of a bunch of your wedding guests getting sick right after your wedding is a nightmare. If your caterer works out of a facility that is state health inspected the bar will be very high for them to run a clean operation. Another plus, the history of a state health inspected facility can usually be pulled up online with a quick google search.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about ways Cotton Blues can help at your next catering event email Ryan at ryan@cottonblues.com or call 601.450.0510

Or visit our Event & Wedding Catering webpage.

All Rights Reserved. Cotton Blues 2018.