Apple Pecan And Blue Cheese Spread Recipes

SPINACH AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH SLICED APPLES AND SPICED CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Cut the apple into quarters, remove the stem and the seeds, and cut into very thin slices. Sprinkle lemon juice over the slices and set aside.
• When ready to serve, in a salad bowl, combine the apple, spinach, radicchio, and blue cheese. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing. Adjust seasoning, to taste.
• To serve, divide the salad among 4 plates and sprinkle the pecans around each salad.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the shallots and the mustard. Whisk in the vinegars, and then the olive and vegetable oils. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until needed.
• Yield: 1 1/4 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Adventures in the Kitchen", Random House, 1991
• In a deep-fryer or a deep pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. (A deep-frying thermometer can be clipped to the side of the pan so that you can tell when the proper temperature has been reached).
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pecans and boil for 2 minutes. Drain in a large strainer, shaking off all excess water. Sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper over the nuts and then coat with the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans. Toss the nuts by shaking the strainer, adding a little more sugar each time, until all the sugar is used and all the nuts are coated. Do not use hands or a spoon to toss. The nuts should have a glaze of sugar.
• Carefully add the nuts to the heated oil, keeping the oil at 350 degrees F. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray to cool.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Pizza, Pasta & More!," Random House, 2000

APPLE, PECAN AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Add the greens, cherries, pecans, cheese and apples into a large salad bowl.
• Mix the olive oil, Dijon, maple syrup and vinegar in a small jar and sprinkle with and salt and pepper. Put the lid on the jar and shake well to mix.
• Pour a little of the salad dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine. Taste the salad and add more dressing to taste.

APPLE, PECAN, AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Add greens, apple slices, pecan halves, dried cherries, and blue cheese chunks into a large salad bowl.
• In a small jar, mix Dijon, maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Put the lid on the jar and shake well to mix.
• Pour a little salad dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine. Taste salad and add more salad dressing to taste.

APPLE BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the julienned apple into a bowl with the balsamic vinaigrette. Refrigerate for at least one hour to marinate.
• Cook bacon in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Drain, and crumble.
• In a salad bowl, combine the blue cheese, pecans, bacon and romaine lettuce, and toss to blend. When ready to serve, pour the apples and dressing over the top.

APPLE & BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese & sour cream in bowl.
• Add apples, blue cheese, onions & pecans. Mix well.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.
• Serve with triscuits or a blander tasting cracker.

APPLE, PECAN AND BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese spread and sour cream in medium bowl until well blended.
• Add apples, blue cheese, onions and pecans; mix well. Cover.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Serve as a spread with the crackers.

ROMAINE WITH APPLE, PECANS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mash cheese with a fork. Add vinegar, mustard, juice and yogurt; stir to combine thoroughly.
• In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Toss with 1/2 cup Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing.

PECAN BLUE-CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place nuts in food processor and process until finely chopped; it takes about 10 seconds.
• Add both cheeses.
• Process until very smooth; again, it should only take about 10 seconds.
• Pack into a bowl and refrigerate until serving; this is best if allowed to chill for a few hours.
• A dribble of brandy or port added when you add the cheeses doesn't hurt.

CARAMELIZED APPLE-BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar until it dissolves, about 20 seconds. Add apples and shallot. Cook 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture turns golden brown and aroma is reminiscent of apple cider. (Do not rush process; color takes a while to form, but the flavor is worth it.) Set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix cream cheese, cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and salt until well blended. Gently stir in cooled caramelized apple mixture and the pecans. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped pecans if desired. Serve with bread or crackers.