Marinated Cheese
Colorful ... beautiful ... absolutely delicious ... and always the hit of the party. This Marinated Cheese may just be the most perfect party food for any occasion.
You know those dishes that are always the first ones gobbled up at a party? And that you always seem to be giving out the recipe for? This Marinated Cheese is one of those. Yes, this beautifully colorful dish is always the hit of the party!
I learned this tasty recipe from my Mom ... who adapted it from the lovely team at Southern Living. After just the first time making it, Marinated Cheese quickly became one of Mom's go-to recipes for parties and entertaining. And after I tasted it for the first time? Marinated Cheese quickly became one of my party go-to's, too.
Because this stuff is just so amazingly delicious.
The marinade is simple to make with a combination of olive oil, white wine vinegar, fresh parsley, and garlic. And let me just say, it packs a ton of flavor. Once the cheese marinates for a few hours, the edges of the cheese pick up the vinegar and garlic flavors of the marinade quite nicely, without those flavors becoming too overpowering. It's a wonderful flavor compliment to the cheese!
As for texture, the cheese slices stay "intact," so to speak, rather than becoming saturated throughout and mushy from their soak time. It's still perfectly easy to scoop them onto a cracker with a spreader or a cocktail fork.
As for how to make marinated cheese, it's really quite easy. Though others always think it looks tougher to make than it is!
First mix up the colorful marinade ...
Mom and I find it easiest to just put all the marinade ingredients in a jar. Then just pop the lid on and shake the jar to quickly and easily mix the marinade ingredients together.
Then cut up cream cheese and cheddar cheese and line it up in a shallow pan in an alternating pattern like this:
Pour the marinade over the cheese slices, ...
... and then refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
From what Mom and I have seen of it's popularity at parties, Marinated Cheese may just be the most perfect party food for any occasion.
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Yield: varies
Marinated Cheese
Colorful ... beautiful ... absolutely delicious ... and always the hit of the party. This Marinated Cheese may just be the most perfect party food for any occasion.
prep time: 8 H & 20 Mcook time: total time: 8 H & 20 M
ingredients:
Cheese:
- 1 (8 oz.) block sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
Marinade:
- 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 c. white wine vinegar
- 3 T. chopped fresh parsley
- 3 T. minced green onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
instructions:
How to cook Marinated Cheese
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a jar; cover tightly and shake vigorously. Set aside.
- Make sure cheeses are well-chilled (I put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes). Cut block of cheddar in half lengthwise; then cut crosswise into 1/4"-thick slices. Set aside. Cut the cream cheese, following the same procedure. Arrange cheese slices alternately in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on edges. (If it becomes difficult to slice the cheeses nicely while you're working with them, just put them back in the freezer for a few minutes before continuing.}
- Pour marinade over cheese slices. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours.
- To serve, transfer cheese slices to a serving platter in the same alternating pattern. Spoon some of the marinade over the cheese. Serve with assorted crackers.
TRACEY'S NOTES
- I recommend using full-fat cream cheese, rather than 1/3-less fat Neufchatel, for this recipe. Full-fat cream cheese is a tad bit firmer, which makes it easier to cut and stack the cheese slices.
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