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–+ servings

Christmas Appetiser: Italian Cheese Loaf

Looks so festive, easy to make and a flavour bomb inside! Terrific economical, make ahead alternative to expensive cheese platters.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 278
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Log:
  • ▢ 500g/ 1 lb cream cheese , softened (Note 1)
  • ▢ 1/3 cup sour cream (Note 2)
  • ▢ 1/2 tsp EACH thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper OR 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • ▢ 1 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt, red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
  • ▢ 2 cup cheddar or other cheese , freshly grated (Note 3)
  • ▢ 280g / 9 oz roasted peppers , drained and finely chopped
  • ▢ 180g / 6 oz salami , finely chopped (Note 4)
  • ▢ 3/4 cup green olives , finely chopped
  • ▢ 1/3 cup green onion , finely minced (3 – 4 stalks)
Topping/serving:
  • ▢ 220g / 7 oz sun dried tomato strips with OIL , roughly chopped
  • ▢ 1/4 cup parsley , finely chopped (or chives)
  • ▢ Rosemary sprigs (decoration)
  • ▢ Jatz or other crackers , for serving

Method
 

  1. Spray a loaf pan with oil then line with cling wrap with overhang.
  2. Mix Cheese Log ingredients together. Taste and adjust salt if needed (bear in mind saltiness of crackers you are serving with).
  3. Scrape into loaf pan and level surface, pressing to remove air pockets. Smaller pan = taller loaf.
  4. Cover with cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for 4 hours+ (up to 1 week).
  5. Turn out onto platter, peel off cling wrap.
  6. Top with sun dried tomato and pour over oil. Garnish with parsley and rosemary sprigs to give it a festive look.
  7. 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 9gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 876mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

The use of freshly grated cheddar cheese not only enhances the flavor but also ensures a perfect melt and creamy texture, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that pairs beautifully with the crunchy crackers. This balance of textures elevates the dish, making each bite a delightful experience.

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