Stilton Port And Walnut Pate Food

POTTED STILTON WITH PORT AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• To make the potted Stilton, simply mash the Stilton in a bowl, add the softened butter, the mace and port and continue to stir together well.
• (Traditional potted cheese recipes tend to use unclarified butter, presumably because cheese, especially when it is aided by alcohol, needs less protection from spoilage than meat.).
• Pack into ramekins or an attractive ceramic pot/s. Melt a little butter and pour over the top of the cheese to form a thin seal.
• Scatter the walnuts over the top & press them in slightly, then leave it to set.
• Refrigerate for up to a week. Serve after dinner with crackers or hot, toasted rye bread, with a ripe pear alongside. Alternatively, try as a sandwich filling on wholemeal bread, augmented by plenty of crisp salad leaves to cut through the richness of this delicious potted cheese!

POTTED STILTON

Steps:

• Put the stilton, 100g of the butter and sherry in a bowl. Season with a few grinds of black pepper, then mash together well with a fork until smooth. Spoon the mixture into a large, sterilised ramekin or ceramic pot.
• Melt the remaining butter in a small pan. Spoon over the cheese mixture, making sure it's completely sealed. Top with a few green peppercorns and chill for a minimum of 2 hrs, or for up to 2 months.

WALNUT & STILTON ORZOTTO WITH ROASTED SQUASH & PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the 100g walnuts in water overnight. Strain through a sieve, put in a pan and cover with 300ml water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins. Strain again, return to the pan with the stock and bring to the boil. Pour into a blender, blend on medium for 5 mins, then strain back into the pan. Set aside until step 4.
• Make the sauce: soften the shallot in the oil over a gentle heat for 10 mins. Stir in the spices and stock, increase the heat and reduce by three-quarters. Pour in the Port and gently simmer for 20 mins. Strain into a clean pan and reduce over a high heat until thickened, about 10 mins. Set aside. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• For the squash, heat the butter in an ovenproof pan. Fry the squash for 3-4 mins, then stir in the walnuts with the cinnamon, sugar and a pinch of salt. Roast for 15-20 mins or until tender. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, make the orzotto. Warm the walnut stock. Heat the oil and 25g butter in a large, deep pan, add the shallots and soften for 10 mins, but don't colour. Stir in the garlic and cook 3-4 mins more. Remove from the pan, set aside, then wipe the pan clean. Increase the heat, tip in the barley and toast for 2-3 mins, keeping it moving so it doesn't burn. Quickly stir the shallots and garlic back into the pan with the barley, then pour in the Champagne. Stir well and add a ladleful of warm walnut stock. Lower the heat a little and keep adding stock when the orzotto looks 'thirsty', stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan. (You'll need about 500ml stock in total. Make up the amount with vegetable stock if necessary.) Cook until the barley is tender - 35-40 mins (you have a lot more grace with this than with rice, as it retains its bite for longer).
• When cooked, add another half ladle of stock (to stop the orzotto from thickening as it cools), then stir in the stilton and a knob of butter. Stir and season, remembering stilton can be very salty.
• To serve, reheat the sauce, adding a little more Port if it is too thick, then stir in the redcurrant jelly until dissolved and finish with the butter. Spoon some sauce over each plate and top with a few spoonfuls of orzotto. Garnish with the roasted squash and walnut halves, a few small pieces of stilton and leaves.

PORT AND STILTON PATE

Steps:

• Melt the butter to sweat the onions until they are soft. Add the port. Simmer for about three minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add the rest and stir makings sure it is well blended.
• Place in blender and process until sticks together. Check your seasonings [don't do this after you are finished.] Adjust if needed.
• Place in individual servers if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Serve with melba toast or crackers.
• Note Crusted port is Vegetarian Friendly. If not seeking that alternative, use regular port.
• servings is a guess. Who counts?

STILTON, PORT AND WALNUT PATE

Steps:

• Place the cheese, butter, and port in a food processor and process until the mixture is smooth.
• Transfer the cheese mixture to a mixing bowl, add the walnuts and mix thoroughly.
• Transfer the pate to a serving bowl/dish, cover with clingfilm and chill until ready to serve.
• As this can be made up to 3 weeks in advance.