Holiday Goodies – Halloween thru New Years – 2016
Here’s a thread for new recipes we find to add to our holiday favorites – I’ll start it off celebrating Halloween (even tho it’s my least favorite holiday )
Took these two appetizers to a party and they are wonderful. Even tho they are separate dishes, topping a cracker/toast and the terrine with the chutney just made a great bite!!
Gorgonzola and Walnut Terrine
10 plus leftovers
3/4 cup walnuts (3 ounces)
10 oz Gorgonzola, preferably dolce, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 lb fresh goat cheese, softened
1/2 cup minced chives
Freshly ground pepper
Toasted pumpernickel or baguette slices, for serving
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 4-cup soufflé dish, loaf pan or terrine with plastic wrap, allowing 4 inches of overhang on 2 sides.
2. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.
3. In a food processor, puree the Gorgonzola with two-thirds of the cream cheese until smooth.
4. In a bowl, blend the goat cheese with the remaining one-third of the cream cheese and 1/4 cup of the chives; season with pepper.
5. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the walnuts in the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the Gorgonzola mixture on top and sprinkle with half of the remaining walnuts and 2 tablespoons of the chives. Spread the goat cheese mixture on top, and sprinkle with the remaining walnuts and chives. Top with the remaining Gorgonzola mixture. Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the terrine and press lightly. Cover with more plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or for up to 2 days.
6. To unmold the terrine, unwrap it and lift it out by the plastic wrap, then turn it out onto a platter. Slice the terrine and let it return to room temperature before serving with toasts. Servings: 10
Tips - A bright, tangy sparkling wine from California will cut the richness of the cheese and walnuts. Contributed By Danielle Custer, Food & Wine Magazine
Pear-Ginger Chutney
Made this to go along with Gorgonzola & Walnut Terrine - for Prater's Halloween Party - 10/31/16 Source: Issue No. 53 October 2005
SAUTE IN 1 T. OLIVE OIL:
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 Tbs fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 cinnamon stick, halved
------
DEGLAZE WITH;ADD AND SIMMER:
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
11/4 cups Bosc pears, peeled, cored, diced (1 large pear)
----------
STIR IN:
1/4 cup dried tart cherries
Salt to taste
1. Sauté onion, ginger, fennel seed, pepper flakes, and cinnamon in oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook until onion is soft, stirring often to prevent scorching.
3. Deglaze with vinegar and sugar. Simmer until sugar dissolves, then add pears. Cook until pears are soft and juices are evaporated, 15–20 minutes.
4. Stir in cherries and salt; serve room temperature or cold. (Chutney may be made up to week ahead and chilled.) MAKES 1 CUP
Here’s a thread for new recipes we find to add to our holiday favorites – I’ll start it off celebrating Halloween (even tho it’s my least favorite holiday )
Took these two appetizers to a party and they are wonderful. Even tho they are separate dishes, topping a cracker/toast and the terrine with the chutney just made a great bite!!
Gorgonzola and Walnut Terrine
10 plus leftovers
3/4 cup walnuts (3 ounces)
10 oz Gorgonzola, preferably dolce, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 lb fresh goat cheese, softened
1/2 cup minced chives
Freshly ground pepper
Toasted pumpernickel or baguette slices, for serving
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 4-cup soufflé dish, loaf pan or terrine with plastic wrap, allowing 4 inches of overhang on 2 sides.
2. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and bake until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop.
3. In a food processor, puree the Gorgonzola with two-thirds of the cream cheese until smooth.
4. In a bowl, blend the goat cheese with the remaining one-third of the cream cheese and 1/4 cup of the chives; season with pepper.
5. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the walnuts in the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the Gorgonzola mixture on top and sprinkle with half of the remaining walnuts and 2 tablespoons of the chives. Spread the goat cheese mixture on top, and sprinkle with the remaining walnuts and chives. Top with the remaining Gorgonzola mixture. Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the terrine and press lightly. Cover with more plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or for up to 2 days.
6. To unmold the terrine, unwrap it and lift it out by the plastic wrap, then turn it out onto a platter. Slice the terrine and let it return to room temperature before serving with toasts. Servings: 10
Tips - A bright, tangy sparkling wine from California will cut the richness of the cheese and walnuts. Contributed By Danielle Custer, Food & Wine Magazine
Pear-Ginger Chutney
Made this to go along with Gorgonzola & Walnut Terrine - for Prater's Halloween Party - 10/31/16 Source: Issue No. 53 October 2005
SAUTE IN 1 T. OLIVE OIL:
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 Tbs fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 cinnamon stick, halved
------
DEGLAZE WITH;ADD AND SIMMER:
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
11/4 cups Bosc pears, peeled, cored, diced (1 large pear)
----------
STIR IN:
1/4 cup dried tart cherries
Salt to taste
1. Sauté onion, ginger, fennel seed, pepper flakes, and cinnamon in oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook until onion is soft, stirring often to prevent scorching.
3. Deglaze with vinegar and sugar. Simmer until sugar dissolves, then add pears. Cook until pears are soft and juices are evaporated, 15–20 minutes.
4. Stir in cherries and salt; serve room temperature or cold. (Chutney may be made up to week ahead and chilled.) MAKES 1 CUP
Retired and having fun writing cookbooks, tasting wine and sharing recipes with all my friends.
www.achefsjourney.com
www.achefsjourney.com