Mediterranean Marinated Cheese Food

MEDITERRANEAN MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine vegetables in large bowl.
• Mix dressing, basil and garlic. Add to vegetable mixture; toss to coat.
• Add cheese; mix lightly. Refrigerate 1 hour.

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.

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.

MARINATED CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cut cheddar cheese and cream cheese into 1/4 inch slices, then again in half.
• Using a small dish, place cheese slices on end alternating cheddar and cream cheese.
• Make the marinade by combining sugar, basil, salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, pimento, parsley, onion and garlic.
• Pour marinade over cheese, cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Serve with crackers.

MEDITERRANEAN MARINATED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Peel the garlic cloves and tip into a food processor with the thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, peppercorns and oil. Whizz well to release the flavours - alternatively grind dry ingredients using a pestle and mortar then blend in the oil.
• Prepare 900g-1.3kg/2-3lb of assorted vegetables (e.g asparagus, large or baby courgettes, sweet potatoes, aubergines, fennel, red onions, corn cobs, parboiled new potatoes). Halve asparagus lengthways, cut large courgettes into chunks or halve baby ones lengthways. Cut sweet potatoes and aubergines into thick chunks, cut fennel and red onion lengthways into wedges, corn into chunks and potatoes in half lengthways. Mix the vegetables and marinade together and marinate for a couple of hours before barbecuing. Cooking times will vary according to your choice of vegetables and their thickness - keep turning and prodding them and you'll feel when they're done.

MEDITERRANEAN MEAT MARINADE

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, sage, thyme, marjoram, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper in a large, shallow dish. Mix with a fork until mixture looks uniform.