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Cheddar and cream cheeses are topped with a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and garlic on this stunning and scrumptious marinated cheese appetizer.
You understand what I really like? Appetizer recipes that may pull double obligation.
I’m speaking about dips and small bites that you could put out for an informal film evening or game-day celebration or costume up for a proper vacation gathering.
Apple butter brie bites and spinach artichoke bites are two of my favorites for this, as is cranberry cream cheese dip.
And this marinated cheese? Positively belongs on that listing. It’s straightforward to throw collectively for an informal get-together however is fairly sufficient to serve at your fanciest ceremonial dinner.
And the most effective half? It’s so scrumptious that everybody will probably be asking you for the recipe.
What’s marinated cheese?
If you happen to’ve by no means had marinated cheese, you’re in all probability questioning what this even is.
Marinated cheese is actually precisely what it feels like: items of cheese which were marinated in a kind of dressing, making them much more flavorful.
There are numerous alternative ways you can also make this straightforward appetizer, however that is my favourite model. I take advantage of a mixture of cheddar cheese and cream cheese and make the marinade with sun-dried tomatoes, plenty of herbs, and garlic.
The marinade jogs my memory numerous tomato bruschetta, and it’s so good paired with the cheeses on prime of a cracker.
If you happen to like a traditional cheese ball, chances are high good you’ll actually get pleasure from this marinated cheese.
make this marinated cheese
This recipe is very easy and the tip result’s as stunning as it’s flavorful. It makes a extremely fairly addition to any appetizer unfold, whether or not it’s for recreation day or a vacation celebration.
Components you’ll want
For my marinated cheese recipe, you will have:
- 1 block (8 ounces) medium cheddar cheese
- 1 block (8 ounce) cream cheese
- 3 ounces oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped recent parsley
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped recent oregano
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped recent thyme
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of crushed purple pepper flakes
- ½ cup further virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar or purple wine vinegar
I discover that softer cheeses are greatest on this recipe as a result of they absorb the flavors of the marinade higher. So save your extra-sharp cheddar cheese for a unique recipe, and seize a medium cheddar for this. (Tillamook makes an important one!)
I like pairing the cheddar with cream cheese, however there are many totally different choices for those who don’t like cream cheese. Take a look at “recipe variations” under for some extra concepts.
The cream cheese slices greatest when it’s chilly, so maintain it within the fridge till you’re prepared to chop it into items. You would even pop it within the freezer for a couple of minutes earlier than slicing it in order for you.
For much more taste, use a few of the oil the sun-dried tomatoes had been packed in as a part of the olive oil on this recipe.
Making this recipe
Begin by prepping your cheeses. To do that, use a big, sharp knife to chop every block of cheese in half lengthwise, then minimize every half into ¼-inch thick slices to get squares of every cheese.
Seize a serving dish that’s not less than 1-inch deep. A 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish or a deep-dish pie plate are each nice choices for this.
Prepare the cheese slices within the serving dish, alternating the cheddar and cream cheese squares. If you’re utilizing a sq. or rectangular dish, you’ll be able to line the cheeses up in a number of rows, or organize them in a spiral in a spherical dish.
Now finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and mince the garlic. You are able to do this with a knife or you’ll be able to pulse them in a mini meals processor.
Add the tomatoes and garlic to a bowl or measuring cup with the remaining marinade substances and whisk to mix.
Pour the marinade over the cheeses, ensuring to distribute the tomato combination evenly. Cowl and chill for not less than 6 hours earlier than serving.
If you happen to don’t wish to serve the marinated cheese within the dish you chilled it in, you’ll be able to switch the cheese to a serving platter. Simply be sure that to spoon loads of that scrumptious marinade excessive!
Recipe variations
Like I stated above, that is my favourite method to make marinated cheese, however it’s not the one approach.
Whereas I like to make use of medium cheddar and cream cheese, you should utilize any variety of softer cheeses on this recipe. Another choices embody:
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Havarti
- Colby jack
- Monterey jack
- Gouda
If your loved ones isn’t into sun-dried tomatoes, strive swapping them out for roasted purple peppers, jarred pimentos, jarred candy cherry peppers, and even marinated artichoke hearts!
I like utilizing parsley, oregano, and thyme, however any herbs you might have available – comparable to basil, rosemary, chives, and many others. – will work.
Goal for about 2 tablespoons whole of finely chopped herbs. If you happen to don’t have recent herbs, dried will work positive; if utilizing dried, use about 2 teaspoons whole since dried herbs are extra “potent” than recent.
Be happy to alter issues out and discover methods to make this marinated cheese appetizer your personal!
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Utilizing a pointy knife, minimize the block of cheddar in half lengthwise. Minimize every half into ¼-inch-thick slices to make squares of the cheese. Repeat with the cream cheese (this will probably be simpler if the cream cheese is chilly).
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Place the squares of cheese in a serving dish that’s not less than 1-inch deep, alternating the cheddar and cream cheeses. A 9-inch baking dish works properly for this (make a number of rows from the cheese squares), or a deep-dish pie plate works for those who choose to rearrange the cheeses in a spiral. Put aside.
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Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and finely mince the garlic. Add to a bowl or giant measuring cup together with the remaining substances. Whisk to completely mix.
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Pour the marinade over the cheeses, spreading the tomatoes and herbs evenly excessive. Cowl and refrigerate for not less than 6 hours or in a single day.
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Serve the cheeses within the dish you marinated them in or switch to a serving platter, ensuring to spoon the marinade excessive. Serve with crackers.
- This marinade works properly with plenty of softer cheeses. Different cheeses that work properly embody:
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Havarti
- Colby jack
- Monterey jack
- Gouda
- If you happen to don’t look after sun-dried tomatoes, strive substituting roasted purple peppers, jarred pimentos, jarred candy cherry peppers, or marinated artichoke hearts.
- Be happy to make use of any herbs you want or have available, comparable to basil, rosemary, chives, and many others. Goal for about 2 tablespoons whole of finely chopped herbs. If you happen to don’t have recent herbs, dried will work positive; if utilizing dried, use about 2 teaspoons whole since dried herbs are extra “potent” than recent.
- For much more taste, use a few of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes instead of a few of the olive oil within the marinade.
Energy: 147kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 6g, Fats: 12g, Saturated Fats: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 6g, Ldl cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 207mg, Potassium: 143mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 249IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 159mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Diet data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
