Chorizo Cheese Logs Food

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.

CHORIZO- CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet cook chorizo until browned. Drain well and cool.
• 2. In a medium bowl beat cream cheese, shredded cheddar, mayonnaise and lemon juice until almost smooth. Stir in chorizo. Chill, covered for about 1 hour.
• 3. Cut celery stalks into 3-inch pieces. Fill each with about 1 tbsp.of cheese mixture.

SPICY CHORIZO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, in a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and chorizo over medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chorizo is crisp and brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the chorizo to a plate.
• Return the pot to medium heat and add the tomato paste and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the tomato paste is caramelized and a shade darker, 3 to 5 minutes, covering the pan if the splattering is wild. Add the red-pepper flakes and a few grinds of black pepper, then remove from heat.
• Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the tomato mixture. Return the pot to the medium-high heat, and stir vigorously until the pasta is well coated. Add more pasta water until the sauce is glossy. Stir in the chorizo and season to taste with salt and pepper.

CHORIZO CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare the grits according to the package directions; set aside when done and keep warm.
• Take off the casing from the chorizo and throw away.
• In a nonstick skillet, add the chorizo; saute over medium heat for 5 minutes, breaking apart the meat with a fork.
• Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic; continue cooking and stirring for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the sausage-veggie mixture to the grits; stir to combine.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the grits; stir to combine.
• Pour the grits mixture into a 2-quart casserole.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Take out of the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.