Brandy Cheese Recipes

BRANDIED BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first 9 ingredients until blended. Transfer to a serving dish; sprinkle with pumpkin seeds., Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours before serving. Serve with crackers.

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, coat the cheeses with cornstarch and set aside. Rub the inside of the ceramic fondue pot with the garlic, then discard.
• Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir the cheese into the simmering liquid. Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue. Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard and nutmeg.
• Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods on a lazy Susan around fondue pot. Serve with chunks of French and pumpernickel breads. Some other suggestions are Granny Smith apples and blanched vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and asparagus. Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl and enjoy!

APPLE BRANDY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, walnuts, butter and cinnamon. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the applesauce, cream, brandy, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Return pan to baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes., In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients until crumbly. Carefully sprinkle over hot cheesecake. Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until center is just set., Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

FLAMING GREEK CHEESE (SAGANAKI)

Steps:

• Brush each side of the kasseri cheese with water. Dredge both sides in flour, making sure the surface is completely covered.
• Preheat a well seasoned cast iron skillet on medium-high heat until smoking. Pour in olive oil. Carefully place the floured cheese in the hot oil. Cook until cheese begins to ooze and a golden brown crust forms, about 2 minutes. Quickly flip cheese over with a spatula. Fry until bottom is golden brown, about 30 seconds more.
• Remove skillet from heat and transfer onto a napkin-lined plate. Pour brandy over the cheese. Light the brandy using a fireplace lighter. Now you can exclaim "Opa!" and marvel at the fire. Squeeze some lemon juice on top to extinguish the last few flames and garnish with parsley.

BRANDY APPLES WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven on low broil setting.
• Slice baguette into 35 small rounds. Coat each round with olive oil and lightly salt and pepper them. Place them on a cookie sheet. In a small saucepan, melt butter and add apple slices. When apples are coated, add brandy and toss gently for about 3 minutes, until apples become slightly soft. Remove from heat.
• To construct, place 1 apple slice on a toast round and spoon about 1 tablespoon of goat cheese on top. When all of them are constructed, place entire cookie sheet under broiler and remove as soon as the top of the goat cheese is slightly browned. Be sure you don't forget them, because they will brown quickly.

EASY CREPES WITH BRANDY

Steps:

• In a blender, combine milk and eggs. Mix on medium-high speed until foamy, about 10 seconds. Turn blender to low speed and remove feed top. With blender going, add sugar and salt. Replace feed top and blend on high speed for a few seconds, then turn blender back to low. In the same manner, add butter, brandy, and vanilla, replacing feed top and blending for several seconds after each addition. Turn blender off. Add flour all at once and blend until just combined.
• Place crepe pan over moderately high heat. With flexible spatula, spread a tiny amount of butter in pan (an alternative method is to brush the pan with melted butter using a pastry brush) and heat until butter just begins to smoke. Pour ¼ to ⅓ cup batter into the center of the pan. As you pour, quickly tilt the pan in all directions to spread a thin layer of batter across the bottom. Pour in just enough batter to cover the pan.
• Cook crepe over moderately high heat until bubbles just begin to form on the exposed surface, about one to two minutes. Lift up the edge to check the cooking process-if the crepe starts to burn before it is cooked through, turn down the heat. If it is not nicely browned after two minutes, turn up the heat.
• When underside of crepe is browned, flip and cook another minute or less, until other side is browned. Remove from pan and keep warm in the oven, loosely covered with foil.
• Grease pan with a very small amount of butter and repeat process. Continue until remaining batter is used, stacking cooked crepes on a plate in the oven. To serve, sprinkle each crepe with sugar or spread with jelly and fold or roll up. Do Ahead: Crepe batter can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate, covered, and blend briefly to recombine before cooking.

BRANDY ALEXANDER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a food processor, pulse chocolate graham crackers until fine crumbs form.
• Add sugar and butter-pulse to moisten.
• Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch spring-form pan.
• Chill.
• In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth.
• Add sugar and cornstarch.
• Beat on medium speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the Brandy and Creme de Cacao.
• Beat until well incorporated and smooth.
• Pour into chilled crust.
• Bake for 60 minutes or until cheesecake is just set and center slightly jiggles.
• Transfer to a wire rack-run a knife around the inside of pan.
• Allow to cool completely at room temperature.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Center cheesecake on a serving plate, remove side of spring-form pan.
• Whip the heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks are reached.
• Garnish cheesecake with whipped cream, scatter chocolate covered espresso beans.
• Serve.

ANYTHING BRANDY CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 1 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add green onion and saute' until tender, about 1-2 minutes. If desired, add mushrooms and saute' 1 more minute.
• Stir in broth and brandy. Cook about 5 minutes or until mixture is reduced (should coat back of spoon).
• Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve over just about anything.