Marinated Manchego Cheese Food

MARINATED MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Cook garlic, orange, and oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic starts to turn golden, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and add rosemary sprigs. Season with salt and let cool.
• Pour garlic mixture into a medium bowl, add cheese, and gently toss to coat cheese. Cover and chill at least 12 hours before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Cheese can be marinated 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.

MARINATED MANCHEGO WITH ORANGE PRESERVE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cut 1/4" off top of garlic bulb and place on a sheet of foil. Drizzle with oil; season with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and bake until skin is golden brown and cloves are tender, 35-40 minutes. Let cool. Squeeze cloves into a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, cut 1/4" off top and bottom of orange and cut lengthwise into quarters. Remove flesh from each quarter, not including white pith, from peel in 1 piece (save peels). Squeeze juice from flesh into a small bowl; set aside. Cut peel into 1/4" pieces and place in a small saucepan; pour in cold water to cover by 1". Bring to a boil then drain; repeat process twice more to remove bitterness. Return orange peels to saucepan and add sugar, reserved orange juice, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until peels are soft and liquid is syrupy, 20-30 minutes. Let orange preserve cool.
• Add orange preserve, Manchego, rosemary, thyme, and remaining 1 1/2 cups oil to bowl with garlic and gently toss to combine. Cover and chill at least 12 hours.
• Bring marinated Manchego to room temperature before serving with bread.
• Do Ahead
• Manchego can be marinated 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.

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 MANCHEGO CHEESE

Steps:

• Cut the cheese into bite sized pieces (1-inch by 1-inch). Leave the cheese's rind on. It acts as a stabilizer for the cheese pieces (don't worry if your cheese doesn't have the rind. This recipe will still work out. It is just more helpful and fancier when the rind is left).
• Mix together the oil, peppercorns, garlic, and herbs. Pour over cheese in a small bowl. Cover and chill for up to 3 days.

MEDITERRANEAN MARINATED CHEESE

Steps:

• Cube cream cheese into 36 pieces.
• Place on serving tray.
• Combine remaining ingredients.
• Pour dressing over cheese and toss lightly.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

FRIED MANCHEGO CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine jalapeno and cilantro together in a bowl. Coat both Manchego cheese wedges with the mixture.
• Mix all-purpose flour, water, and crushed ice together in a bowl until there are no lumps in the flour. Dip cheese wedges into the batter.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Dip cheese wedges into hot oil and fry until batter is crispy and browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer fried cheese to paper towels layered on a plate to drain excess oil.