Olive Herb Cheese Spread Recipes

HERB CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl add butter, sour cream, and cream cheese. Add the garlic and herbs and mix together well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Place in refrigerator and allow to chill.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Find a small, wide-mouth canning jar or small glass vase (3 1/2 inches in diameter by 4 inches high), just large enough to hold the two goat cheeses on top of each other with a little room to spare. Cut each cheese in half horizontally, making 2 rounds from each. (A piece of dental floss makes this easier.)
• Place half of the first disk flat in the jar, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then with 1/2 teaspoon dill, 1 teaspoon basil, and a few red pepper flakes, and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Place another disk of cheese on top and repeat the seasonings, herbs, and oil. Continue with the remaining cheese disks, piling one on top of the other with oil and seasonings in between. When all the disks are stacked and seasoned, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on top. Cover and set aside at room temperature for one hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature with bread or crackers for people to help themselves.

OLIVE SANDWICH SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients. Spread on crackers or bread.

HERB COATED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on 2 heavy baking sheets. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the bread slices. Bake until the crostini are pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir the herbs, lemon zest, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using about 2 teaspoons of cheese for each, form the goat cheese into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll the cheese balls in the herb mixture to coat completely. Arrange the cheese balls on a platter. Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over and around the cheese balls. Serve with the crostini. Garnish with herb sprigs.
• The crostini and cheese balls can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the cheese balls.

LEMON-HERB OLIVES WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small skillet, combine the first 5 ingredients; heat over medium heat just until fragrant, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in olives; heat through, allowing flavors to blend. Cool completely., To serve, place cheese on a serving plate. Stir basil into olive mixture; spoon over cheese. Serve with crackers.

HERBED CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Stir in the parsley, chives, chervil, garlic, tarragon and lemon-pepper seasoning., Transfer to a small serving dish. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers.

OLIVE-HERB CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a small spice jar. Store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 5 batches (5 tablespoons total).
• To prepare spread: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 tablespoon seasoning mix until blended. Beat in enough milk until spread reaches desired consistency. Stir in olives. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with pita chips or crackers. Yield: 1-1/4 cups per batch.