MARINATED CHEDDAR & CREAM CHEESE

MARINATED CHEDDAR & CREAM CHEESE image

Yield 12 - 16 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 c olive oil
1/2 c white wine vinegar
3 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
3 Tbs minced green onions
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
1 (2oz) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 (8oz) block sharp Cheddar Cheese, chilled
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, chilled
Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs

Steps:

Marinade: Combine first 10 ingredients, olive oil through diced pimiento, in a jar. Cover tightly, and shake vigorously. Set marinade aside. Cut block of Cheddar cheese in half lengthwise. Then cut each piece, crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices (they will look like little squares; set aside. Repeat same procedure with the cream cheese. Arrange cheese slices alternately in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on edges. Pour marinade over cheese slices. Cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 8 hrs. Transfer cheese slices to a serving platter in the same alternating fashion, reserving marinade. Spoon marinade over cheese slices. Another option is to serve the cheese directly from the shallow baking dish that it was marinating in. Serve with assorted crackers and/or party bread slices. It's great with some of the marinade soaked into the bread with the cheese on top.