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Creative Cheese and Cracker Appetizers
Don't be limited by tradition and recipes in books. When it comes
to preparing savory appetizers such as bruschetta and crostini, let
your tastes and imagination help you develop signature dishes. Here
are a few tips from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board to get your
creative and culinary juices flowing:
- Mix it up – Try mixing multiple cheeses as toppings. Swiss
and Parmesan or Blue and a mild Cheddar
or Colby, for instance, can combine for a taste sensation sure to
delight any cheese lover.
-
Cross Borders – While bruschetta
and crostini are typically
associated with Italian flavors, don't
be afraid to try other flavors as well.
A Mexican bruschetta could feature Hispanic cheeses, such
as Asadero or a milder Queso Blanco,
and a bit of spice or salsa; or top your
treat with a slice of good German sausage and Brick cheese
for a Bavarian flavor.
- Contrast mild and spicy – Mixing a milder cheese with a
spicy topping such as a pepper jelly,
chutney or moutarde (French
mustard)
provide a great taste
sensation atop
a cracker or bread.
- Do it yourself – provide a range of toppings from an olive
tampanade to roasted red peppers and
garlic (and of course, lots of cheese) and let guests build their
own savory creation.
- Keep it festive – colorful foods like fresh figs or membrillo
(quince paste) can add a festive touch
to your appetizers. When figs are partnered with a Wisconsin Gorgonzola
and Proscuitto atop a crostini,
the result is deliciously sophisticated.
When membrillo partners with Queso Blanco or Gouda, a distinctive
Latin flavor is enjoyed.
And don't be shy about seeking time-saving solutions from your local
grocery store. From rice crackers to pita chips and baked Italian
toasts, today's cracker aisle and deli section are full of wonderful
options just waiting to be topped with a Wisconsin cheese. With a
wealth of cracker choices and more than 600 varieties, types and styles
of cheese from Wisconsin available, you are sure to find the perfect
cheese and cracker match for your guests.
- Water crackers are a safe bet for most cheese varieties.
- The flavor and texture of wheat crackers make them a good choice
for a sweeter, nutty cheese such as
a Wisconsin Swiss or Gruyere.
- Sturdier savories such as pita chips or bagel
chips make a terrific
base for a highly flavored Wisconsin
cheese dip or spread.
- Hearty crackers and breads such as a Scandinavian crispbread are
a good match for stronger flavored
cheeses in the blue family, such as a Wisconsin Gorgonzola or Blue.
- Middle Eastern Lahvosh crackers can stand up to the stronger flavors
of an aged or flavored Wisconsin Cheddar.
Or, a flavored feta can capture the flavors of the region.
- Many flatbreads are a perfect match for sliced tomatoes, basil
and a Wisconsin Parmesan.
- Crostini can easily be made using bagged baked Italian toasts
found in many deli sections and are delicious with sun-dried tomatoes
and
a Wisconsin Fontina or Asiago.
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