Festive Apple Cheese Log Food

CHRISTMAS CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F and place the nuts on a baking tray.
• Bake for 8 minutes (keep a close eye on them around this time as they can burn quickly) and remove from the oven. Chop the nuts coarsley (or use a food processor) and set aside.
• Using a stand or hand mixer (or a bowl and wooden spoon) combine the softened cream cheese and feta. Add all remaining ingredients except for the nuts and combine.
• Cut a large piece of baking paper and place on the bench. Tip the cheese mixture onto the baking paper and form it into a log shape. Roll it up in the baking paper, shaping as you go, tuck in the ends of the paper and place in the fridge for 3 hours (or longer) to set.
• Once the cheese log has set, remove from the fridge. Spread the chopped nuts on a rimmed baking tray, carefully unwrap the log and roll it in the chopped nuts until it is completely coated.
• Serve on a platter with crackers and toasted bread or wrap tightly in gladwrap and store in the fridge for up to a few days until needed.

CHRISTMAS APPETISER: ITALIAN CHEESE LOAF

Steps:

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

FESTIVE MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, combine tomato sauce, vegetables and cilantro. Blend evaporated milk and chipotle peppers in blender until smooth.
• Drain macaroni; return to pan. Add chipotle mixture with mozzarella and 4 Singles; cook and stir 5 min. or until cheeses are completely melted. Spoon half into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with layers of half each of the vegetable mixture and remaining Singles. Repeat layers of macaroni and vegetables; cover.
• Bake 25 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining Singles; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until melted.