Nutty Cheese Log Recipes

CHRISTMAS APPETISER: ITALIAN CHEESE LOAF

Steps:

• Spray a loaf pan with oil then line with cling wrap with overhang.
• Mix Cheese Log ingredients together. Taste and adjust salt if needed (bear in mind saltiness of crackers you are serving with).
• Scrape into loaf pan and level surface, pressing to remove air pockets. Smaller pan = taller loaf.
• Cover with cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for 4 hours+ (up to 1 week).
• Turn out onto platter, peel off cling wrap.
• Top with sun dried tomato and pour over oil. Garnish with parsley and rosemary sprigs to give it a festive look.
• Best to serve closer to room temp than fridge cold. Serve with crackers! Knives for smearing optional - it's soft enough to scoop with crackers.

A TRIO OF CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the garlic and white pepper and mix until well combined. Divide the mixture into 3 even portions; return one portion to the mixer.
• For the pizza cheese log: Add the pizza blend cheese to the cream cheese mixture and mix well until combined. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. (The mixture should be slightly sticky but thick enough to easily roll.) Put the smoked paprika on a shallow dish; roll the log in the paprika until completely coated. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Clean the mixer bowl and paddle.
• For the Cheddar Jack and parsley cheese log: Put a second portion of the cream cheese mixture in the mixer bowl. Add the Cheddar Jack cheese and mix well. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. Put the dried parsley on a shallow dish and roll the cheese log in the parsley until completely coated. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Clean the mixer bowl and paddle.
• For the sharp Cheddar pecan cheese log: Put the last portion of the cream cheese mixture in the mixer bowl and add the extra-sharp Cheddar. Mix well. Remove to a work surface and roll into a log with your palms. Place the whole pecans down the length of the cheese log. Put the chopped pecans on a shallow dish, then roll the log in the pecans. Use your fingers to press the pecans more firmly into the cheese. Roll the cheese log in a sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Unwrap the cheese logs and present on a large platter surrounded by plenty of crackers and cheese knives for easy self-service.

NUTTY CHEESE TORTELLINI

Steps:

• Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain and keep warm. In the same pan, melt butter. Stir in the tortellini, parsley and walnuts; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and pepper.