Herb Marinated Cheese Food

HERB MARINATED CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut the cheese crosswise into 1/2-inch slices, and arrange on a serving platter.
• Sprinkle with onion, herbs, and red-pepper flakes. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Serve with sliced bread.

HERB CHEESE TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In an oven-proof skillet heat oil and brown pork on all sides. Place skillet in oven. Roast 25 minutes or until internal temperatures reaches 155 degrees F.
• 2. Place bread on a baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes or until toasted. Spread with 1 heaping teaspoon of cheese. Cut pork into 24 slices and place on top of bread. Top with cheese and tomato halves.
• Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time, by Sandra Lee Copyright 2009 SLSH Enterprises, Inc.

HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Find a small, wide-mouth canning jar or small glass vase (3 1/2 inches in diameter by 4 inches high), just large enough to hold the two goat cheeses on top of each other with a little room to spare. Cut each cheese in half horizontally, making 2 rounds from each. (A piece of dental floss makes this easier.)
• Place half of the first disk flat in the jar, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then with 1/2 teaspoon dill, 1 teaspoon basil, and a few red pepper flakes, and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Place another disk of cheese on top and repeat the seasonings, herbs, and oil. Continue with the remaining cheese disks, piling one on top of the other with oil and seasonings in between. When all the disks are stacked and seasoned, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on top. Cover and set aside at room temperature for one hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature with bread or crackers for people to help themselves.

SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND HERB MARINADE OVER GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• The night before, in a bowl, mix all ingredients together except the goat cheese. Stir until well mixed. Use enough oil to fully saturate with some extra settled on bottom of bowl.
• Cover and refridgerate overnight. You can occasionally take it out of the fridge and shake it up a bit.
• About an hour before serving, take out of fridge and bring to room temperature. It's ready to go when the oil is no longer gelled.
• Chop mixture in food processor just enough to blend together. Pour over log of goat cheese. Serve with toast rounds.
• Cooking time means to marinate overnight.

MARINATED CHEESE

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the olive oil, wine vinegar, pimento, parsley, green onion, garlic, sugar, basil, salt and pepper. Shake vigorously to blend. Set aside.
• Cut the block of Cheddar cheese in half lengthwise. Cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slices to form squares. Repeat with cream cheese. Arrange cheese squares alternately in a shallow baking dish with slices standing on edge. You can arrange in a single long row, or 2 parallel rows depending on the size of your dish. Pour the marinade from the jar over the cheese slices, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
• To serve, remove slices to a serving platter so they are still arranged in an alternating pattern. Spoon some of the extra marinade over the cheese, and serve with crackers.

MARINATED GOAT CHEESE WITH HERBS AND SPICES

Steps:

• Gently break goat cheese into large pieces; arrange in a serving bowl. Let sit at room temperature while you infuse oil.
• Crush allspice and coriander with the flat side of a chef's knife. Place in a small saucepan along with garlic, orange zest, bay leaves, star anise, oil, and red pepper flakes. Cook over low, swirling pan occasionally, until garlic is golden, 15-20 minutes. Pour over goat cheese. Let sit until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange bread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown around the edges, 5-8 minutes.
• Sprinkle marinated goat cheese with flaky salt and serve with toast.
• Do Ahead
• Goat cheese can be marinated 3 hours ahead. Store lightly covered at room temperature.

HERB & GARLIC MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Mix into a jar with a good seal (eg. approx 200g glass coffee jar) 1/2 cup of oil and all other ingredients, except Feta Cheese.
• Cut Feta into approximately 2cm cubes. Add cubes to jar, a few at a time and then swirl oil to coat cheese.
• When as much cheese is in jar that will fit, cap jar and invert a few times to coat cheese thoroughly, then top up with more oil til all cheese is coated. Invert jar a few more times and refrigerate.
• The Olive Oil will solidify when refrigerated. Use in salads or serve at room temperature with crusty bread. Reserve marinated oil to use in dressings.
• Marinate for at least 24 hours, will keep in refrigerator for up to 2 months.

HERB-MARINATED FETA AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Combine cumin, coriander, and crushed red pepper in heavy small skillet over medium-high heat. Shake skillet gently until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl. Add garlic, orange peel, and oil and stir to combine. Mix in olives, basil, and cilantro. Gently stir in feta. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 day. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep refrigerated.) Bring olive and cheese mixture to room temperature before serving.
• Transfer mixture to bowl and place on platter. Surround with baguette slices.