Walnut Raisin Baked Farmer Cheese Food

WALNUT-RAISIN BAKED FARMER CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broiler.
• Place Friendship Farmer Cheese in a large mixing bow. Add the remaining ingredients and the toasted walnuts. Mix thoroughly. Transfer mixture to a small baking dish (aluminum disposable is fine). Place under broiler until brown and bubbly on top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature with crackers of any kind or slices or crusty bread.

FARMER'S CHEESE WITH HONEY, RAISINS, CINNAMON AND TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven 400 degrees F.
• Lay walnuts on baking sheet. Roast and shake once or twice to insure even toasting. Roast until a shade darker and aromatic, about 15 minutes.
• Remove walnuts and set aside to cool.
• Turn the oven to broil.
• Place farmer's cheese in large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and the toasted walnuts. Mix thoroughly. Transfer mixture to a small baking dish (aluminum disposable is fine).
• Place under broiler until brown and bubbly on top, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve hot or at room temperature with crackers of any kind or slices of crusty bread.

FARMER'S CHEESE AND RAISIN FILO STRUDEL

Steps:

• 1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. Lightly brush a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with a little of the melted butter.
• 2. Using a rubber spatula, work the cheese through a medium-meshed wire sieve into a medium bowl. Stir the bread crumbs and milk in another medium bowl.
• 3. Beat the room-temperature butter in a large bowl with a handheld mixer on high speed until creamy. Add the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla and beat until light in color and texture, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. Mix in the farmer's cheese, soaked bread crumbs, and sour cream.
• 4. In another medium bowl, using very clean beaters, beat the egg whites at high speed until they form stiff peaks. Stir about one fourth of the whites into the cheese mixture, then fold in the remaining whites. Fold in the raisins.
• 5. Place a filo sheet in the prepared pan, letting excess dough hang over the sides. Using a soft brush, lightly brush the filo as best as you can with melted butter. Layer 5 more filo sheets, buttering each layer. Pour in the cheese mixture and spread evenly. Layer with 6 more filo sheets, buttering each layer and the top. Tuck the excess filo into the baking pan.
• 6. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool for 30 minutes. Dust the top of the strudel with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm or cooled, with the vanilla sauce, if you wish.
• MAKE AHEAD
• The strudel is best the day it is baked.