Cheddar Cheese Pecan Log Food

CHEDDAR-PECAN CRISPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and cheese until light and fluffy. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, garlic powder and cayenne; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in pecans., Shape into eight 10-in. long logs. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm., Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are crisp and lightly browned, 12-14 minutes. Cool on pans 1 minute. Remove to wire racks to cool. Refrigerate in airtight containers. Freeze option: Place wrapped logs in resealable plastic freezer bags; place in freezer. To use, unwrap frozen logs and cut into slices. If necessary, let dough stand 15 minutes at room temperature before cutting. Bake as directed, increasing time by 1-2 minutes.

PECAN CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheeses, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce. Shape mixture into two logs, about 6 in. long. Roll in pecans, pressing down gently., Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with crackers.

CHEDDAR CHEESE BACON LOG

Steps:

• 1. Blend and beat cream cheese with cheddar cheese; add bacon, celery,onion, and W. sauce. Mix well and chill until partially firm. Form into a log shape and roll in chopped nuts or other toppings. Serve with toasted bread crusts or crackers. May be made ahead, wrapped well and frozen -to be used at a later date. Defrost day before in refrigerator.

CHEDDAR CHEESE & PECAN CRISPS

Steps:

• Put the flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in a food processor. Whiz for a second to blend. Dump in the butter and whiz again until the butter is in small (pea-size) pieces. Add the cheeses, whiz, and finally add the egg and pulse until the mixture just starts to come together.
• Dump out on a work surface. Sprinkle the nuts onto the pile of dough. Knead by lightly smearing the ingredients together by pushing them away from you with the heel of your hand (this is called fraisage). Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for an hour or two to let the butter firm up. You can keep the dough in the fridge for 2 days or freeze for a few months (if frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use).
• Heat the oven to 400°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until it's about 1/4 inch thick. Stamp out shapes or cut shapes with a knife. Put the shapes on an ungreased baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and stamp again.
• Brush with the glaze and sprinkle with more salt. Bake in the hot oven until golden brown and thoroughly cooked inside, about 14 minutes. To test, break one in half and look; if the center is still light and doughy, bake for a few more minutes. Cool on a rack and store only when completely cool.

GARLIC CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pecans, mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic. Form into 2 or 3 logs. Sprinkle each log with paprika. Chill the logs until firm, about 2 hours.
• Slice each log into rounds as needed, and serve 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.

PECAN-CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Fry bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towel to cool. Add pecans to drippings and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towel to cool. Season with salt.
• Blend cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce in processor until smooth. Transfer to bowl and stir in green onions. Crumble bacon and add to mixture. Line cookie sheet with plastic, forming 8-inch strip. Freeze 20 minutes to firm slightly. Using plastic as aid, form log shape. Remove plastic; roll log in pecans to coat. Wrap and refrigerate until firm. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead.) Serve with crackers.

HOMEMADE CHEDDAR AND PECAN CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Coarsely grate the cheddar cheese, and transfer it to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cut the two sticks of butter into sixteen pieces, and scatter the pieces over the cheese. Let the cheese and butter soften. Place the pecans in one layer on a baking sheet, and toast them in the oven until they are a shade darker and fragrant, 7 to 8 minutes. While the nuts are still warm, transfer them to a medium bowl and toss with the remaining tablespoon of butter (the hot nuts will melt the butter) and salt to taste. Cool the nuts completely, then finely chop.
• Add the chopped pecans, flour, a pinch of salt, cayenne, and black pepper to the bowl of the mixer, and beat the ingredients at medium speed until the mixture pulls together into a dough, about 2 minutes.
• Divide the dough into eight pieces. On a sheet of waxed paper, roll each piece of the dough into a log 1 inch in diameter, and wrap the logs tightly in waxed paper and foil. Chill the logs for at least 8 hours and up to 1 week. The dough will keep frozen for 2 months.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Working with one log at a time, cut the log crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices, and arrange the slices 1/2 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake the crisps in batches until they are golden and just firm to the touch, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the wafers on the baking sheet. Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the wafers will keep for up to 4 days.

CHEDDAR CHEESE PECAN LOG

Steps:

• Add cream cheese to a big bowl and, using an electric mixer, beat until soft and creamy.
• Add in the milk, cayenne, Worcestershire, garlic, and cheddar cheese; continue to beat just until the ingredients are combined.
• Line an 8 x 12 inch pan with parchment paper or wax paper, making sure there is a 3-inch overhang at each of the long ends.
• Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the paper.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture onto the pecans.
• Using a flexible rubber spatula or an offset spatula, spread the cheese into the pan, making sure you reach into the corners.
• Sprinkle the chives and parsley evenly over the cheese.
• Using the ends of the parchment, gently lift the cheese out of the pan; starting at the long end, begin rolling the cheese into a log, as if you were rolling up a jelly roll.
• Using the parchment paper, wrap the log, twisting both ends tightly; refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
• Serve with crackers.

CHEESE AND DILL LOG

Steps:

• Beat margarine, cheeses, milk and seasonings electric mixer on medium speed until well blended; cover.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Shape into log; roll in pecans until evenly coated on all sides.
• Serve with assorted crackers.

MAKE-AHEAD BLUE CHEESE CHEDDAR PECAN LOGS

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together cream cheese, shredded cheddar, blue cheese, green onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, parsley and black pepper until well combined.
• Cover and chill a minimum of 8 hours or overnight to blend flavors.
• Shape into 4 equal size logs, then roll the logs completely into the chopped nuts.
• Cover and chill or freeze for up to 3 weeks wrapped tightly in foil.

CHEDDAR CHEESE PECAN LOG

Steps:

• Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and, using an electric mixer, beat until soft and creamy.
• Add the milk, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and cheddar cheese.
• Continue to beat just until the ingredients are combined.
• Line an 8 by 12 inch pan with parchment or wax paper, making sure there is a 3 inch overhang at each of the long ends.
• Sprinkle pecans evenly over the paper.
• Drop spoonfuls of the cheese mixture onto the pecans.
• Using a spatula spread the mixture into the pan making sure you reach into the corners.
• Sprinkle with chives and parsley.
• Roll mixture into a tube.
• Slice into 1 inch slices.
• Chill for 4 hours. Serve.