Sharp cheddar cheese with a port wine reduction and fresh pear combine in this delicious holiday cheese spread at a fraction of the usual cost.
Pear and Port Wine Cheese Spread
By Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime
My recipe of the day today is for pear and port wine cheese spread with the blogging group #ImprovCooking. Our task was to put pears and dairy into one recipe and here it is.
Inspiration
My inspiration comes from grocery shopping during the holidays. I believe I am an easy mark when it comes to being given samples of cheese and cheese spreads. And like clockwork, the holidays roll around and they are hard at work tempting me with samples.
Perspiration
Probably explains a little bit of that weight gain. More than the cookies and sweets, I get relentless cravings for party appies. Then all the work burning those calories off. Yeah, I will take a suitcase and move in to the gym in January.
Foodie Wonderland
So my eyes really sparkle when I see all the things I could buy and entertain with at the market. And if I don’t make some of that from scratch the bill at the checkout is going to kill me.
The Frugal Foodie
Take that tiny tub of port wine cheese spread for example. It really is easy to make and for the same price you probably will get six times the amount, with plenty to take over to a friend’s house or give to your doting mother. Or just whip up the whole batch and take it to the holiday work pot luck and watch it disappear. I mean, don’t be the guy who rolls in toting a bag of salty chips.
The port wine in this is not boozy whatsoever. It is made into a reduction which burns off all those diesel fuel fumes some recipes with alcohol can have. And lets the grape flavors shine right through.
1 Ingredient + 1 Ingredient= Endless Possibilities
Pears and Dairy
-
- Sour Cream Pear Pie by Pandemonium Noshery
- Pear Hand Pies by Cookaholic Wife
- Pear and Port Cheese Spread by Palatable Pastime (You are Here!)
- Burrata and Bartlett-Vanilla Bean Jam Crostini by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Poached Pears In Cinnamon & Red Wine With Ice Cream by Sneha’s Recipe
- Caramelized Pear and Brie Rolls by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Pear and Port Wine Cheese Spread
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Pear and Port Wine Cheese Spread
Pear and Port Wine Cheese Spread
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
Port Wine Reduction:
- 1 cup ruby port wine
- 1 fresh bay leaf
- 1/4 cup chopped shallots
Cheese Spread:
- 1 pound shredded block cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces soft cream cheese
- 1 fresh ripe bosc pear peeled and cored
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place ingredients for the port wine reduction in a small saucepan and cook down to one-third cup; fifteen minutes or so depending on your heat; allow to cool.
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Chill before serving.
Notes
I said I wasn’t adding anything else to my Thanksgiving menu and then you had to go and share this.
Glad to be of service! It’s makes a ton so you can share.
Not only less expensive but I’m sure so much better, especially with the addition of pear.
Bill loves it. I said to him “I didn’t know you loved port wine cheese so much!” And he said theirs didn’t taste like mine. I’d figure he was working to get on my good side except I tasted it and can concur. I think it’s the reduction that makes it shine.
I love the port and pear combo with this cheese! Yummy!