Description
This festive Italian Cheese Loaf is a creamy, flavorful appetizer perfect for Christmas celebrations. It combines a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, and shredded cheeses with savory roasted peppers, salami, and olives. Refrigerated to set, it’s served topped with sun dried tomatoes, fresh parsley, and rosemary sprigs. Deliciously soft and easy to scoop, it pairs wonderfully with crackers for a delightful holiday starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Log
- 500 g cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red pepper/chilli flakes
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 280 g roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
- 180 g salami, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3 – 4 stalks)
Topping/Serving
- 220 g sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
- Rosemary sprigs, for decoration
- Jatz or other crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a loaf pan with oil then line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, spices, grated cheese, roasted peppers, salami, olives, and green onion. Mix thoroughly and taste to adjust salt if necessary, considering the saltiness of the crackers you will serve.
- Shape and Refrigerate: Scrape the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, leveling the surface and pressing to remove air pockets. Cover with the cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 1 week, to allow it to set.
- Unmold and Decorate: When ready to serve, turn the cheese loaf out onto a platter and peel off the cling wrap carefully.
- Add Toppings: Top the loaf with sun dried tomatoes and drizzle the oil from the tomatoes on top. Garnish with chopped parsley and rosemary sprigs for a festive appearance.
- Serve: Serve the cheese loaf closer to room temperature with crackers. The loaf is soft enough to scoop with crackers, so knives are optional.
Notes
- If only spreadable cream cheese is available, skip the sour cream for best texture.
- Sour cream can be substituted with yogurt or mayonnaise to loosen the mixture.
- Use any flavorful, melting cheese such as cheddar, gruyere, Swiss, pepper jack, or Asiago for an authentic Italian touch; avoid mozzarella as it is bland.
- Freshly grated cheese blends better than pre-shredded because of finer strands.
- Hot salami is recommended for a flavor punch, but other cured meats can be used.
- You can form the cheese mixture into a freeform log on cling wrap and twist the ends to shape if you prefer a rustic look.
- Make it meatless by omitting salami and adding 1/2 cup grated parmesan for added flavor.
- Feel free to customize with other add-ins like artichokes, capers, different olives, pickles, or antipasti vegetables.
- For additional flavor, try finely chopped cooked chorizo, bacon, or ham as alternatives to salami.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
