Summertime means various things to many of us. Do you think of family, friends, cookouts and BBQ’s, birthday parties, graduation parties, wedding and showers? There’s so much more, correct? I agree yet without the food, especially the appetizers, a party isn’t a party. Checkout these 3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started. The luscious flavors are unexpected yet addictive with simple crackers. Never mind thinking you’ll only eat a couple bites. By the way, these cheese logs make for a great snack at home.
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
I know you love easy recipes to make for your family yet why stop at easy when it comes to appetizers. Nothing like planning a party or special occasion whether last minute or planned. You worry about how many people to feed and having a variety of foods both hot and cold. No worries, I feel your pain and I’m here to help.
In the summer, we steer towards cold or room temperature appetizers. My savory cheese logs are about to become your new summertime appetizers, not to mention a nice snack with a glass of wine. Need more quick snacks, checkout my “Savory Beau Monde Dip”, “Southern Pimento Cheese Spread”, or “Sunny Paris Fresh Dill Dip”.
This trio of cheese logs include a Blue Cheese Maple Cheese Log, Caramelized Onion Cheese Log, and an Olive Sundried Tomato Cheese Log. Each is deliciously different and addictive in their own way. I highly recommend serving the cheese with simple crackers. Also, avoid serving with crackers that are heavily seasoned because the cheese should shine.
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
Want to know what makes these cheese logs so darn special? The taste, period. That’s why I suggest serving with simple crackers like pita crisps. Every bite just tastes better and better.
The first recipe is for my Blue Cheese Maple Cheese Log. All you need is a mixing bowl, a spatula, a plate and plastic wrap. That’s right, easy peasy. For ease of mixing, use a spatula to stir cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Stir in the remaining ingredients per recipe directions. Place cheese on plate of almond and parsley mixture and roll into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour.
Flavors in this blue cheese log are savory with a hint of sweetness, barely. Fresh chives are mixed in with a Spanish cheese called Iberico. I found the Iberico cheese at Trader Joe’s, however, browse Whole Foods cheese department as well. If you happen to live near Kroger or their affiliate stores, check for Murray cheeses. No need to fear because regular Gouda or Havarti work extremely well in this recipe.
More hard than soft, Iberico grates easily. This cheese gives the blend a slight nutty flavor with almonds for a crunch. The blue cheese adds a nice background flavor without being overpowering. The parsley adds freshness. I highly recommend making this cheese log for yourself and enjoy with a nice glass of wine. Trust me, it’s addicting. Ask my family!
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
On with the second recipe, my Caramelized Onion Cheese Log. All onion lovers, rejoice because this cheese log is for you. I use a cream cheese base for smoothness.
Onions are first cooked until brown and caramelized. This will take about 15 minutes then remove from heat to cool. Meanwhile, mix the remaining ingredients together except parsley/chive mixture. Stir in onions until mixture is thoroughly combined. Place herb mixture on plate and roll cheese into a log covering in herbs. Place log on plastic wrap, wrap tightly and chill for at least 1 hour to overnight until ready to serve.
When onions are caramelized, they become sweet. The Iberico cheese adds nuttiness with cream cheese, fresh thyme and Dijon which adds a refreshing flavor. The parsley/chive mix and paprika add an herby, slight smokiness that will make you want to keep this appetizer for yourself. It’s incredible. Wine and cheese go together.
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
The third and final recipe is my Olive Sundried Tomato Cheese Log. Lord, I don’t know what to say about this divine appetizer. Another recipe you’ll want to make for your household and not share.
Love olives, this is for you. Love sundried tomatoes, this one’s for you. I used kalamata olives and sundried not packed in oil. The olives and tomatoes give this cheese log the right amount of savory appeal and tender bites of veggie. You’ll think, what just hit my tastebuds. Trust me, it leads to one more bite and one more bite.
Another one bowl mix with fresh thyme, garlic powder, and Rose’ balsamic vinegar for a pop of tang. However, the Merlot cheese is the beginning of a delectable creation. You’ll love the cheese if you never tried it. It’s a rich tasting cheese and one of my favorites. Merlot cheese is easy to find in your local market. This cheese log will knock your socks off especially once rolled in parsley and chilled for 1 hour to overnight.
I truly hope you enjoy these 3 savory cheese logs and share with friends and family. Each is customizable to your liking yet know omitting an ingredient will change the flavor.
The cheese logs will keep up to 4 days wrapped in refrigerator if any of them last that long. They’re incredible, delectable, addictive, and delicious. Each log takes about 30 minutes to prepare and ready to eat in an hour. If you’re not in any hurry, chill overnight for flavors to really meld.
Come on, let’s get your party started and watch all the happy faces at your next special ocassion. If you make these recipes, like or leave me a comment below, @michelleheyden, @chowdownlowdown, or #chowdownlowdown. Enjoy!
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
- Blue Cheese Maple Cheese Log
2 cups finely shredded Iberico Spanish cheese (substitute Gouda or Havarti)
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 T. unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 T. stone-ground mustard
1 T. maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped sliced almonds, divided
2 T. finely chopped fresh parsley
In a large mixing bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix cream cheese until smooth. Mix in softened butter until thoroughly combined.
Next add in Iberico, blue cheese, chives, mustard, maple syrup, and 3 T. chopped almonds. Stir until completely mixed.
On a large plate, mix together remaining almonds and chopped parsley.
Roll cheese mixture into a log on parsley mixture and covering as you roll the log.
Place cheese log on plastic wrap and wrap tightly. Chill log minimum of 1 hour to overnight or until ready to serve.
Serve cheese log with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!
Makes about 8-10 servings.
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
- Caramelized Onion Cheese Log
1 large white onion, small diced
2 T. Olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Iberico Spanish cheese (substitute Gouda or Havarti)
1/2 t. fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 cup mix of fresh chopped parsley and chives
1 t. sweet paprika
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion to skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion begins to brown and become soft, about 15 minutes. Remove onion from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, use a large spatula to mix cream cheese until smooth.
Add onions to cream cheese with mustard, Spanish cheese, and thyme. Stir until thoroughly combined.
On a plate mix together parsley, chives and paprika.
Place cheese mixture onto herb mixture, forming a log as you roll.
Move cheese log to a sheet of plastic wrap and roll tightly. Chill minimum 1 hour to overnight or until ready to serve.
Serve with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!
Makes about 8 servings.
3 Savory Cheese Logs to Get Your Party Started
- Olive Sundried Tomato Cheese Log
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup finely shredded Merlot cheese
1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
1/4 cup finely chopped sundried tomatoes (not in oil)
1 T. Rose balsamic vinegar
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese until smooth.
Stir in remaining ingredients except chopped parsley until thoroughly mixed.
Place parsley on a plate and add cheese mixture, rolling into a log until covered.
Place cheese log on plastic wrap and tightly wrap. Chill cheese log minimum 1 hour to overnight or until ready to serve.
Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Makes about 8 servings.
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