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Cheddar and cream cheeses are topped with a mix of sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and garlic on this lovely and scrumptious marinated cheese appetizer.
You already know what I like? Appetizer recipes that may pull double obligation.
I’m speaking about dips and small bites which you could put out for an off-the-cuff film evening or game-day occasion or gown 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 off-the-cuff get-together however is fairly sufficient to serve at your fanciest ceremonial dinner.
And the very best half? It’s so scrumptious that everybody shall be asking you for the recipe.
What’s marinated cheese?
Should you’ve by no means had marinated cheese, you’re most likely questioning what this even is.
Marinated cheese is actually precisely what it seems like: items of cheese which have been marinated in a form of dressing, making them much more flavorful.
There are a number of other ways you may make this straightforward appetizer, however that is my favourite model. I exploit a mixture of cheddar cheese and cream cheese and make the marinade with sun-dried tomatoes, numerous herbs, and garlic.
The marinade jogs my memory a number of tomato bruschetta, and it’s so good paired with the cheeses on high of a cracker.
Should you like a traditional cheese ball, likelihood is 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 lovely as it’s flavorful. It makes a very fairly addition to any appetizer unfold, whether or not it’s for sport day or a vacation occasion.
Substances you’ll want
For my marinated cheese recipe, you have to:
- 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 crimson pepper flakes
- ½ cup further virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar or crimson wine vinegar
I discover that softer cheeses are finest on this recipe as a result of they take in the flavors of the marinade higher. So save your extra-sharp cheddar cheese for a special recipe, and seize a medium cheddar for this. (Tillamook makes an amazing one!)
I like pairing the cheddar with cream cheese, however there are many totally different choices for those who don’t like cream cheese. Try “recipe variations” beneath for some extra concepts.
The cream cheese slices finest when it’s chilly, so hold it within the fridge till you’re prepared to chop it into items. You possibly can 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 number of the oil the sun-dried tomatoes have 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 at the very least 1-inch deep. A 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish or a deep-dish pie plate are each nice choices for this.
Organize the cheese slices within the serving dish, alternating the cheddar and cream cheese squares. In case you are utilizing a sq. or rectangular dish, you may line the cheeses up in a number of rows, or prepare 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 may pulse them in a mini meals processor.
Add the tomatoes and garlic to a bowl or measuring cup with the remaining marinade components and whisk to mix.
Pour the marinade over the cheeses, ensuring to distribute the tomato combination evenly. Cowl and chill for at the very least 6 hours earlier than serving.
Should you don’t wish to serve the marinated cheese within the dish you chilled it in, you may switch the cheese to a serving platter. Simply ensure to spoon loads of that scrumptious marinade excessive!
Recipe variations
Like I stated above, that is my favourite option to make marinated cheese, nevertheless it’s not the one method.
Whereas I like to make use of medium cheddar and cream cheese, you need to use 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, attempt swapping them out for roasted crimson peppers, jarred pimentos, jarred candy cherry peppers, and even marinated artichoke hearts!
I like utilizing parsley, oregano, and thyme, however any herbs you have got readily available – equivalent to basil, rosemary, chives, and so on. – will work.
Goal for about 2 tablespoons whole of finely chopped herbs. Should you do not need recent herbs, dried will work tremendous; if utilizing dried, use about 2 teaspoons whole since dried herbs are extra “potent” than recent.
Be at liberty to alter issues out and discover methods to make this marinated cheese appetizer your individual!
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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 shall be simpler if the cream cheese is chilly).
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Place the squares of cheese in a serving dish that’s at the very least 1-inch deep, alternating the cheddar and cream cheeses. A 9-inch baking dish works nicely for this (make a number of rows from the cheese squares), or a deep-dish pie plate works for those who want 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 components. 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 at the very least 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 nicely with plenty of softer cheeses. Different cheeses that work nicely embody:
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Havarti
- Colby jack
- Monterey jack
- Gouda
- Should you don’t look after sun-dried tomatoes, attempt substituting roasted crimson peppers, jarred pimentos, jarred candy cherry peppers, or marinated artichoke hearts.
- Be at liberty to make use of any herbs you want or have readily available, equivalent to basil, rosemary, chives, and so on. Goal for about 2 tablespoons whole of finely chopped herbs. Should you do not need recent herbs, dried will work tremendous; if utilizing dried, use about 2 teaspoons whole since dried herbs are extra “potent” than recent.
- For much more taste, use a number of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes rather than a number 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
Vitamin data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
