Randy Chandler
Spreadable cheese is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to sandwiches. It can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients, such as cheese, cream, milk, or water, and blended to a smooth, creamy texture. With the addition of herbs, spices, or even beer, a basic cheese spread can be transformed into a flavorful dip or topping for crackers, vegetables, or pretzels. Homemade cheese spreads are not only delicious but also allow for creativity in the kitchen, offering endless possibilities for customization. Whether store-bought or homemade, spreadable cheese is a convenient and tasty option for snacks, appetizers, or even as an addition to savory recipes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ingredients | 6 |
| Types of cheese | Cheddar, Cream Cheese, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Boursin, Alouette, Gournay, Pub Cheese |
| Other ingredients | Beer, Garlic, Herbs, Spices, Mayo, Worcestershire Sauce, Mustard, Hot Sauce, Salt, Chives, Wine, Butter |
| Preparation time | 15 minutes |
| Storage time | 3 days to 2 weeks |
| Storage method | Airtight container in the fridge |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers, Pretzels, Veggies, Chips, Bread, Charcuterie boards, Savory recipes |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a homemade cheese spread
Homemade cheese spread is easy to make, and a great way to use up leftover cheese. It's a perfect snack for parties, and can be served with crackers, chips, veggies, or even used as a sandwich spread.
To make a basic cheese spread, you'll need leftover cheese—any variety will do. Cut the cheese into small cubes, removing any rinds from hard cheeses. Place the cheese into a food processor or blender, and add a bit of liquid—water, milk, cream, wine, or beer—to help it blend into a smooth, spreadable consistency. You can also add butter to make the spread richer and creamier. Blend until the mixture is very smooth, then serve as-is, or chill in the fridge for a firmer texture.
You can also add herbs, garlic, and seasonings to give your cheese spread extra flavour. Try a combination of sharp cheddar and cream cheese, with roasted red peppers and their juice for added colour and flavour. Or, for a pub-style cheese spread, add half a cup of dark ale, along with red onion, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, paprika, and hot sauce.
Your homemade cheese spread should keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, although some recipes suggest it can last for up to two weeks.
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How to make a Boursin-style cheese spread
Boursin is a brand name of a soft, creamy French cheese called Gournay. It is typically flavoured with garlic and fine herbs. However, you can easily make a Boursin-style cheese spread at home with a few simple ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Ingredients:
- Cream cheese (at room temperature)
- Unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- Garlic (freshly minced, crushed, or pressed)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Dried herbs (such as parsley, chives, basil, dill, marjoram, thyme, or Italian seasoning)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the softened cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or food processor to blend them until smooth and well combined.
- Add the garlic to the mixture. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavour, you can use a garlic press to get very small bits of garlic throughout the spread.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that cream cheese can be a bit salty, so start with a small pinch of salt and add more as needed.
- Add your choice of dried herbs. You can use a variety of herbs, such as parsley, chives, basil, dill, marjoram, thyme, or Italian seasoning. Rub the dried herbs between your fingers before adding them to the mixture.
- If desired, mix in grated Parmesan cheese for an extra savoury flavour.
- Continue mixing and blending all the ingredients until they are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Transfer the homemade Boursin-style cheese spread to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. It is best to let the cheese spread chill for at least a few hours or overnight to allow the flavours to develop.
- When serving, let the cheese spread come to room temperature for the best taste and spreadability. Enjoy it as a dip with crackers, vegetables, or your favourite dippers.
Your homemade Boursin-style cheese spread should last for about 10 days to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, depending on the freshness of your ingredients. It is a delicious and easy-to-make spread that can elevate your appetizers, snacks, and meals. Enjoy!
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How to make a pub cheese spread
Pub cheese is a beer cheese spread with a mousse-like texture and a strong cheddar flavour. It is delicious on crackers, pretzels, and even vegetables. The recipe is simple: blend cheese and beer.
Firstly, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. The beer should be left at room temperature for a couple of hours to become flat. Whisk the beer in a bowl for 5 to 10 minutes to remove as much carbonation as possible.
Next, place your chosen cheese and garlic in a food processor and pulse until it forms coarse crumbs. Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot sauce, and salt, and blend until combined. With the processor on, slowly stream in the beer until the mixture is smooth, which should take around 5 minutes.
Scoop the mixture into a bowl, top with chives, and serve with crackers, pretzels, carrot sticks, celery sticks, grapes, apple slices, or anything else you desire!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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What to serve with a spreadable cheese
Spreadable cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways and paired with many different foods. Here are some ideas for what to serve with spreadable cheese:
Crackers, Breads, and Bagels
A classic way to enjoy spreadable cheese is to simply spread it on crackers, toast, or a bagel. For a savoury option, pair the cheese with cured meats such as prosciutto or nuts. For a sweeter option, top with fruits such as strawberries, apples, or grapes.
Dips and Appetizers
Spreads such as pub cheese or beer cheese are perfect for dipping crackers, pretzels, or vegetables. You can also make cheesy appetizer puffs by stuffing flakey puff pastry with spreadable cheese, bacon, and sweet orange marmalade.
Sandwiches
Add spreadable cheese to your favourite sandwich for a flavour boost. For example, replace mayonnaise with a spreadable cheese such as sharp cheddar or garden veggie spread. You can also spice up a traditional egg and cheese sandwich by adding a spreadable cheese with jalapeños.
Mashed Potatoes
Add spreadable cheese to mashed potatoes for an even creamier texture and a boost of flavour.
Charcuterie Boards
Spreads such as pimento cheese or cheese balls made with cream cheese and sharp cheddar can be added to a charcuterie board and served with pecans for scooping.
Pasta
Upgrade your pasta night by mixing spreadable cheese with cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, and Calabrian chillies.
With its versatility and ability to pair well with both sweet and savoury options, spreadable cheese can be a delicious addition to any meal or snack.
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How to store leftover cheese spread
Soft and semi-soft cheeses, such as cream cheese, have a high moisture content, which makes them more perishable than hard cheeses. They should be stored in their natural liquid in a plastic container and placed in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Soft cheeses should be consumed within one week of opening and should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan and Gruyere, are aged for longer and have lower moisture content, which means they can sit out longer without spoiling and have a longer shelf life of three to four weeks. They are best wrapped in wax or cheese paper, then in plastic wrap, and stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.
If you are storing leftover cheese spread, it is likely to be a soft or semi-soft cheese and should be treated as such. However, if it is a harder variety, such as feta, it can be stored in its own brine or coated in olive oil.
To store leftover cheese spread, use a fresh piece of plastic wrap or wax paper to rewrap the cheese after each use. If you are using wax paper, add a layer of plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out. Place it in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable.
If you are storing a large amount of leftover cheese spread, you can also use a resealable plastic container. However, make sure to sprinkle some water into the container to keep the cheese humid and prevent it from drying out.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to make a cheese spread at home. Here are some common methods:
- Using a food processor or blender, blend leftover cheese with wine, butter, herbs, and garlic until smooth.
- Combine cream cheese with garlic and herbs.
- Mix shredded sharp cheddar with cream cheese and spices.
- Blend cheese with beer.
Cheese spreads can be served with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or bread. They can also be used as a dip for chips or a topping for sandwiches.
A homemade cheese spread can last for up to a week in the refrigerator. However, some recipes may last longer, up to two or three days.
