A Cranberry Nutty Cheese Log is what I would suggest you eat with the Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Biscotti I posted yesterday. It also is the other half of the gift you can give to your next dinner host.

The Cranberry Nutty Cheese Log can also be a raisin nutty cheese log or a sun dried tomato cheese log. Whatever you fancy. The amazing part of this cheese log is that it takes but a few minutes to make, yet it is always a point of discussion at a party.  It is that snack you want to stop eating, but can’t.I used dried cranberries, but if you are lucky enough to get your hands on fresh ones, use them. Also I had a little bit of each pistachios and macadamia nuts, so I used that. Even here you can chop and change to what you have available.

Cranberry Nutty Cheese Log

makes 2 logs

Ingredients

330 ml/ 1 ¼ c cranberries – finely chopped

2 x 100 g Fairview Chevin

250 g cream cheese

125 ml / ½ cup toasted pistachio nuts – coarsely chopped

125 ml/ ½ cup toasted macadamia nuts – finely chopped

30 ml/2 T honey

30 ml / 2 T chopped herbs, I used thyme and rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

Method

To toast the nuts: Heat a non-stick pan on the stove and add the nuts. Dry roast them until you smell them. Keep your eye on it, because it burns quickly. Cool and chop in food processor to a coarse texture. Pour nuts into a bowl and add the chopped herbs, honey, cranberries, salt and pepper to the bowl. Mix well and remove ¾ cup and keep for the coating.

Add the cheeses to the bowl with nutty mixture and mix well. Divide the mixture into two. Add this two halves of cheese mixture to two large pieces of plastic wrap, and form into the shape of  logs. Wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze for 20-25 minutes. The cheese log must be firm so it holds its shape when you roll it, but still soft enough the take on the coating. Roll the log in the nutty mixture. Cover with cling wrap and keep in fridge until needed.

When ready to serve, remove from cling wrap and put on a wooden board and serve with crackers and chilled wine. You can drizzle the logs with honey if you choose to.

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