Cream Cheese Havarti And Parmesan Herbed Christmas Tree Recipes

CREAM CHEESE, HAVARTI, AND PARMESAN HERBED CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil, lemon zest, and garlic together in a bowl. Transfer cream cheese mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Roll the plastic wrap around cream cheese mixture forming a cone shape, resembling a tree.
• Stand the 'tree' upright and remove the plastic wrap. Cover the visible portion of the 'tree' with 1/4 cup basil and parsley.
• Gently wrap the 'tree' with a fresh sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

CHEESE AND CRACKERS CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, shredded Cheddar and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Mound about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on a serving plate and insert the pretzel rod vertically (the pretzel will help to hold up the structure). Add more of the cheese mixture, forming it around the pretzel rod and into a cone shape about 6 inches wide and 10 inches tall.
• Press the chopped parsley into the surface of the cheese tree to make it green, making sure to cover all the white areas. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Insert the pretzel sticks, mini butter crackers and almonds all over the tree, angled downward to create "branches". Take care to alternate the ingredients to add variety and depth. As you decorate the top, break the pretzel sticks in half so they are proportional to the size of the tree. Top the tree with one sliced almond for the "star". Tuck the pomegranate seeds in between the branches for festive "lights". Dust the edges with more finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan "snow". Serve with crackers on the side.

HERBED HAVARTI IN PASTRY

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine the parsley, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Spread mustard over cheese blocks; roll in herbs to coat. , On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry to about 13 in. long (or long enough to fit cheese blocks end to end). Place cheese on pastry and fold pastry around cheese; trim excess dough. Pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down on an ungreased baking sheet. , Brush pastry with egg. With floured cutters, cut decorative shapes from dough scraps if desired; arrange over the top and brush with egg. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm with crackers and fruit.

HOLIDAY TREE-SHAPED CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Stir together cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half. Stir pesto into 1 half; stir onion, mustard and 2 or 3 drops pepper sauce into other half. Cover each half; refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
• Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like a pine tree.
• If desired, wrap each tree, label and freeze up to 1 month. Twelve hours before serving, remove trees from freezer. Thaw in wrapper in refrigerator.
• Just before serving, roll trees in parsley, pressing it evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top each tree with star shape cut from lemon peel. Serve with crackers.

LEMON BASIL TREE

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, Havarti cheese, 2 tablespoons basil, the lemon peel and garlic powder until blended.
• Shape cheese mixture into cone shape to look like Christmas tree, or roll into 1 large or 2 small balls or logs. Roll in 1/4 cup parsley.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until firm. Serve with crackers.