Friday, July 05, 2013

Blue Cheese Spread

 July 4th 2013 003 labeled

 This past weekend, we had guests in from Chicago.  The gal is gluten intolerant, so I served a tray of fruit & cheese upon their arrival.  I struggle with what to make for them.

I really like these gluten free, rice crackers, made by Blue Diamond.  They have several other flavors, such a hazelnut as well as pecan.


They go well with my blue cheese spread, that I make the day before, so it can chill in the refrigerator overnight.  I try doing as much ahead of time as I can, so I am able to relax & visit with folks!


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Blue Cheese Spread



3/4#  Blue Cheese, crumbled (I use 3 containers of Blue Cave)
1 small red onion, finely diced
1/2 Cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
2-3 cloves of crushed garlic
1 Teaspoon of dry mustard
Salt & Pepper, to taste
a handful of fresh parsley, chopped & one sprig left whole, for garnishing the top, if you like
Place crumbled blue cheese in a shallow dish, like a pie pan.  Sprinkle diced red onion & chopped parsley over the top evenly.
Mix together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, mustard & S&P.  Pour over blue cheese mixture & cover with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate several hours, overnight, if possible.
You may serve it directly in the pie pan or transfer to a prettier container, such as a colorful crock.


EDIT to add:  You should probably mix the parsley in a bit before serving, if you allow it to remain in the pie plate.  It would happen naturally if you transfer the mixture to a different serving container. 

Be sure to provide a spreader type knife for self serve.
It will soften a bit, upon standing at room temperature, but still needs a sturdy cracker to enjoy with it.



 Print recipe HERE.



By the way, the amount shown in the little red ramekin in my photo is only 1/2 the recipe, as written.  If you like Blue Cheese, I promise, you will ♥♥♥ this recipe!

I'm joining Michael Lee at Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday, as well as The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays &
StoneGable for Tutorials, Tips & Tidbits on Thursday.
For the first time, I'm joining "The Scoop" party via Debbie at
Confessions of a Plate Addict.  


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Please visit these other blogs for some wonderful inspirations & thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House
I hope you had a wonderfully patriotic July 4th celebration.

fondly,
Rett

26 comments:

  1. I will eat bleu cheese anything! Love the stuff and your spread sounds just perfect for lots of things! I love those crackers too, all flavors! Thanks, Jenna

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  2. Your spread sounds yummy - I am going to make some. Many thanks for the recipe.
    Hope you had a great visit with your friend.
    Mary

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  3. This sounds wonderful, REtt, and very different from my recipe so I am looking forward to trying it out. Do you mash it at all or just let it sit and marinate with no real mixing? Ever have blue cheese on a good steak? One of my favorite things!

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    1. I probably do mash it all in a bit before serving, especially if I'm transferring it to a prettier serving dish. I think the parsley should be mixed in a bit, don't you? I'll go edit the recipe to add that tip. Thanks for seeing that I didn't mention it.

      Oh, yes, I'll take blue cheese on a steak or a hamburger ANY DAY!! Now I'm REALLY hungry for dinner & its barely 5 pm here. LOL

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  4. I love that gorgeous serving bowl and the spread looks amazing! I adore those darling butter knives with the sweet gold stars, dear Rett! Thank you for the sweet comments. I got the plates in Michaels in Orlando, where we just went for vacation. Have a terrific patriotic weekend.
    FABBY

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  5. Your cheese spread sounds great Rett! I do love the pretty serving dish too-Happy Weekend:@)

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  6. I know you have one that is very similar to it, Lynn because I've commented on it. :-)
    This one is bigger than my little luncheon size. It is more like a platter...barely fits on the bakers rack shelf!
    Milkglass just melts my ♥..I grew up with it & have fond memories of some pieces my Mom owned.

    I hope you try the cheese spread. Go ahead & add some jalapenos if you want! LOL

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  7. I think Blue Cheese is one of my very favorites, so I will certainly be trying this! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  8. Hi Rett, my dear hubby would love this recipe and the rest of the family, too. I buy those Blue Diamond crackers myself. Aren't they the best crunchy, sturdy little cracker? I love your pretty milkglass plate and your red crock. I can't wait to try this dip for our next family function.

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  9. I've never met a blue cheese I didn't love and this recipe looks like a keeper for a summer party. Thanks for sharing Rett, I'll give this a try.

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  10. Oh dear, cheese spreads like this are my weakness. I will pass up a cookie any day for a cracker and cheese. And the fresh fruit is a lovely addition. I hope you are enjoying a very happy holiday weekend, Rett.

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  11. I love bleu cheese...my favorite...so I know I would love this! Yes..please join me at The Scoop! It's every Monday night at 6:00 pm Eastern Daylight time! I would love to see you there!...hugs...Debbie

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  12. Bleu cheese is a favorite around our house. Will give this recipe a try. Thanks!

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  13. My hubby would love this dip/spread Rett! Love your festive star spreaders and I'll have to try those Diamond crackers~ less gluten/wheat makes for happier tummies even if you're not gluten intolerant :)

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  14. I will have to try this recipe. I love blue cheese! I meant to tell you in my comment on your last post that I LOVE your solution to the sparkler issue. I have never allowed any children to hold them after an adult friend had one flare up in his hand after he lit it for my niece. He had to be rushed to the hospital with a deep gash like burn on his hand. I wonder if drilling little holes for the sparklers in aluminum cups would be even better because they won't melt.

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  15. This sounds delicious! I love blue cheese and will have to look for those crackers.

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  16. I've had those crackers before and they're really good. The cheese spread sounds delightful! I'll have to try it sometime.

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  17. This sounds delicious. I love blue cheese anything.

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  18. This sounds yummy and I'm always looking for new recipes to try. Thanks also for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comment.

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  19. Now that looks good! My husband has really gotten into blue cheese lately!

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  20. OK, I MUST track down those crackers and try them here. If I have seen them in the store, I must have passed them right by. I also love bleu cheese so the dip would be a hit with me. I know I can't pin from here so I'm copying this down before I forget.

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  21. ummm...this looks and sounds like a dip we would really like.
    Thanks for stopping over ....I am trying, with all my might, to "unload" that ugly cedar chest on one of the grands. Only 2 are married right now and have tiny houses...no room for it, I'm afraid. I actually don't have room for it, either....Oh, dear......:)

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    1. BJ, I WISH my parents had saved some of my grandmother's things for me! I was only 16 when she passed away, but nobody knew I would be married at 18. I would have LOVED to have had her treadle sewing machine & her pedestal dining room table & chairs! They could have put it in storage for one of us! Perhaps it was too hard to decide who would get what, so they just sold or donated it all. Sad.
      Can you store it in a garage for a few years??? Wrap it with a couple of quilts to protect the finish. I envy you all the wonderful treasures you've inherited from both sides of your family. The grands may not appreciate them now...I didn't....but later on it life, I bet they will!

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  22. Oh dearest Rett you made me crack up...pleaseeee!!!!!! Thank you again for your wonderful, fun and kind comments, I so enjoyed it! Have a nice week and enjoy your Summer time.
    FABBY

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  23. Rett, your cheese "board" looks amazing. WHat a pretty idea to put it on a vintage plate. Thanks for the recipe. We love bleu cheese and I'll be using this one... it looks like a winner.
    Hope you are keeping cool!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~