Basil & Walnut Cheese Spread ๐ฟ๐ง
Overview:
Basil & Walnut Cheese Spread is a delightful concoction that combines the earthy richness of walnuts with the creamy indulgence of cream cheese, infused with the aromatic essence of fresh basil and zesty lemon. This spread is not only a breeze to make but also a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, perfect for elevating sandwiches, crackers, or even cruditรฉ platters. With just 15 minutes of total prep time, including a brief stint in the oven for toasting the walnuts, you’ll have a flavorful spread that’s sure to impress your taste buds and guests alike!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 117.9
- Fat Content: 11.7g
- Saturated Fat Content: 5.3g
- Cholesterol Content: 24.9mg
- Sodium Content: 67.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 1.5g
- Fiber Content: 0.4g
- Sugar Content: 0.2g
- Protein Content: 2.6g
Recipe Details:
- Servings: 10
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Spreads
- Keywords: Cheese, Summer, < 15 Mins, Refrigerator, Easy
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | Walnuts |
| 1 pack | Cream cheese |
| 1 clove | Garlic |
| 2 cups | Fresh basil |
| 1/2 | Lemon, rind of |
Instructions:
- Set out cream cheese until softened.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place walnuts in a shallow baking dish.
- Bake for 5-8 minutes or until nuts are browned.
- (Stir them once or twice during baking)
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Add and stir in the walnuts.
- Cover and chill for a couple of hours to blend flavors.
Directions:
- Begin by ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature, allowing it to soften for easier blending later on.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to toast the walnuts to perfection.
- Spread the walnuts evenly in a shallow baking dish, ensuring they have ample space to toast evenly.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and allow the walnuts to bake for approximately 5-8 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown hue, remembering to give them a gentle stir once or twice during baking to ensure even toasting.
- While the walnuts are baking, gather the remaining ingredients – minced garlic, fragrant fresh basil leaves, and the zest of half a lemon, which will infuse the spread with a delightful citrusy zing.
- Once the walnuts are perfectly toasted, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the minced garlic, finely chopped fresh basil, and the lemon zest, stirring until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add the toasted walnuts to the mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the spread, imparting their rich, nutty flavor to every bite.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the spread for a couple of hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a harmonious blend of savory creaminess with hints of herbaceous freshness and nutty richness.
- Once chilled, your Basil & Walnut Cheese Spread is ready to serve! Spread it generously on crackers, toast points, or crusty bread slices, or use it as a delectable filling for sandwiches or wraps.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where the flavors will continue to develop over time, ensuring each bite is bursting with deliciousness whenever you indulge.
Final Thoughts:
Basil & Walnut Cheese Spread is not only a culinary delight but also a testament to the magic that can happen when simple, wholesome ingredients come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re entertaining guests at a summer soirรฉe or simply craving a quick and easy snack, this spread is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. So why wait? Whip up a batch today and experience the irresistible allure of this flavor-packed concoction! ๐ฟ๐ง
