Tuscancreamcheesespread Food

TUSCAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, garlic and salt; stir and blend in artichoke hearts and olives.
• Add green onions, tomatoes, parsley and chives; gently mix together.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to blend flavors; serve.

TUSCAN RIB-EYE STEAK

Steps:

• For the marinade: The day before you plan on cooking your steak, place the rib-eye in a resealable baggie along with the olive oil, rosemary, thyme and garlic. Move the herbs and garlic around in the bag to coat the steak with all the flavors. Refrigerate overnight.
• For the steak: Remove the steak from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the steak evenly with 1 teaspoon of the salt. Place the steak on the grill pan and sear for 5 minutes without moving the steak. Flip the steak and repeat on the other side. Remove the steak to a baking sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes for medium doneness. Allow the steak to rest for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together the lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons olive oil, rosemary, thyme, 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. Set aside.
• Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil and slide in the egg, being careful not to break the yolk. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently cook the egg until the white is just set and the yolk is still soft, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the rested steak to a serving plate. Scatter the arugula over the steak and drizzle 1 teaspoon of the herb oil. Lay the egg, sunny-side up, over the top. Drizzle with the remaining herb oil and season with a few grinds of black pepper.

TUSCAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, garlic and salt; stir and blend in artichokes and olives.
• Add green onions, tomatoes, parsley and chives; gently mix together.
• Refrigerate for several hours or overnight (if possible) to blend flavors.
• If mixture is too thick, stir in some of the artichoke juice.
• Bring to room temperature and serve with water crackers or other crispy bread.
• Or, you can add more of the artichoke juice to make it more of a dip consistency, and serve with cut up veggies.

TUSCAN GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Brush 1 side of each bread slice lightly with oil, using about 1 tablespoon total. On 2 slices, arrange half of cheese, then tomato, basil, and remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, oil side down. Brush tops of sandwiches with about 1 tablespoon of remaining oil.
• Heat medium skillet or range-top grill pan over medium heat. Place sandwiches, oil side down, in skillet. Brush tops with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Cook until sandwiches are golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted, turning once, about 5 minutes per side.
• Toss arugula with vinaigrette and divide between 2 plates. Cut sandwiches in half or quarters and arrange around arugula. Serve.

MEXICAN CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cheese until smooth and creamy with an electric mixer.
• Next, add the chilli sauce, garlic, lime juice, fresh chilli and green onion, and beat again until combined.
• Spread a sheet of plastic wrap on your kitchen work surface, place cream cheese mixture on it, and shape into a 3 to 4 inch square.
• Enclose the shaped cheese in the plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour (and up to a maximum of 24 hours).
• While cheese is chilling, cut each tortilla into 12 wedges.
• Shallow fry the wedges in hot vegetable oil until puffed and lightly browned.
• When cool, these can be stored in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before serving.
• When ready to serve, roll cheese in combined parsley (or cilantro) and nuts.
• Place cheese, fresh salsa and tortilla crisps in serving dishes and enjoy.

CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Mix all above ingredients (with the exception of the pecans).
• Place in a small oval dish as a spread for crackers or form into a ball and roll into the pecans for a nice cheese ball.
• Refrigerate overnight.

CREAM CHEESE & SEAFOOD SPREAD

Steps:

• Spread softened cream cheese into the bottom of a 9" plate.
• A pie plate works well for this.
• Spread the seafood sauce on top of the cream cheese covering to the edges.
• Sprinkle imitation crab meat over the top.
• (genuine crab can be used for this recipe but the imitation works really well).
• Serve using little spreading knives (I suggest you have at least four of these knives) with assorted crackers.
• YUM!

TUSCAN CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a microwave safe bow. Add the herbs & spices for the spread except cheese. Microwave for 30 seconds. Mix thoroughly adjust seasonings to taste, refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Add the balsamic vinegar & brown sugar to a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to med-low and stir occasionally until reduced by half and thickened, about 30-45 minutes. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Combine tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Toss and refrigerate at least a few hours, overnight is best.
• When ready to serve spread cheese spread into an oven proof serving serving dish. I spread mine on one half of a 9x9 or 13x9 if doubling or tripling, the other half will be for the bruschetta. Top spread with some Parmesan cheese and bake at 400°F until melted. Spoon bruschetta on the other side of cheese spread. Sprinkle balsamic glaze over tomato mix. Or you can pile the bruschetta on top of the cheese spread. Spread some cheese on some sliced bread and top with bruschetta.

CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine all three ingredients.
• Keep stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• (if it lasts that long).