#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Recipe: Marinated Cheese {Appetizer}

March 20, 2014 · Narrative

An easy-to-make marinated cheese appetizer that is perfect for entertaining small and big crowds alike.

Marinated Cheese appetizer-003

To say I have masses amount of new recipes I want to try would be an understatement.

Which may or may not explain my penchant for risking new recipes on new dinner guests.

Must.make.all.the.recipes.

So it’s safe to say that whenever company comes calling, whether new friends or old, there will be new recipes on the table.

And heck, even when company isn’t calling too.

The only difference is that entertaining allows me to try three or four new recipes, and when it’s just me and the kids, it’s likely one or two.

A few weeks ago, my friend Cathy and her family came over for dinner. A casual affair, kids playing, grown-ups chatting, a perfectly chill vibe hung in the air.

Which, if you need to know, is kind of my favorite vibe.

And appetizers? Pretty much my favorite part of the meal.

I bet you thought it was dessert.

Nope, that course is relegated to my eat-all-the-sweets six year old.

Who lives for dessert.

For this dinner party, we went Southern with a marinated cheese appetizer.

I had seen this recipe floating around for years. Years and years and years. I had clipped the original when I first saw it in Southern Living magazine, and then recently I spotted it on Pinterest. Gotta love a virtual recipe box … all in the name of reducing paper in my house.

It makes for such a pretty presentation, how can you not be intrigued by this one? I’ve gotta say, though, I was a little leery of eating straight-up cream cheese. I mean, it’s just not something you do.

Smear it on a bagel?

For sure.

Use it as an ingredient in a recipe?

No doubt.

But all but its lonesome?

The jury was out.

The recipe comes together in nothing flat and has just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. The most challenging part is cutting the cream cheese in small squares. And it’s not like that’s rocket science. Although the recipe suggested freezing the cream cheese to make it easier to cut neatly, well, ain’t nobody got time for that. All was ok, albeit a little messier, without the freezing.

And, I mean, look at the finished product.

Total party pleasing fare.

The finished cheese stacks have a garlicky vinaigrette-type dressing poured over it and that is just a total game changer.

Marinated Cheese appetizer on cracker-001

Especially when it comes to the cream cheese portions.

Just take a little fork and put a cream cheese and cheddar square on a good cracker and pop it in your mouth.

This, folks, is good stuff.

And even better the next day after it got a chance to marinate even longer in that awesome garlicky dressing.

Spring has officially sprung and outdoor entertaining can begin, in earnest, soon! She says with great hope in her voice. Whether you’re having some girlfriends over, entertaining a small group, or just want something a little special to perk up a ho-hum weekend dinner with your fam, give this one a whirl.

It’s a keeper.

Marinated Cheese
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living magazine, 2006, adapted by The Kitchen is My Playground

Ingredients
1 (8 oz.) block sharp cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) block Monterey Jack cheese
1 (8 oz.) 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons green onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Directions
1.  Combine all marinade ingredients in a jar; cover tightly and shake to combine.  Set aside.
2.  Make sure cheeses are well-chilled (you can put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes to make it easier to cut).  Cut block of cheddar in half lengthwise; then cut crosswise into 1/4″-thick slices.  Repeat with the Monterey Jack and the cream cheese.  Arrange cheese slices alternately in a shallow baking dish, standing slices on their edges.
3.  Pour the marinade over cheese slices.  Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours.
4.  To serve, transfer cheese slices to a serving platter in the same alternating pattern.  Spoon marinade over the cheese.  Serve with assorted crackers (I used Ritz).

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: appetizer recipe, marinated cheese, Southern Living magazine

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    March 21, 2014 at 6:35 am

    Cream cheese is definitely one cheese I’ve never seen marinated before, but if you say it’s good i must try it! Adding it to MY endless list of recipes-to-try.
    Joanne recently posted..Jalapeno White Bean Burgers

    Reply
  2. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:40 am

    I have certainly had marinated cheese in an appetizer but until I read your post I would not have thought to actually make the marinated cheese myself. What a great idea!
    Toni | Boulder Locavore recently posted..Springtime Asparagus Leek Romenesco Quiche

    Reply
  3. Rebecca {foodie with family} says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:42 am

    Okay. I would go nuts on a tray of that. It would have to be for me. ALL for me. :)

    Reply
  4. Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says

    March 21, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    I like that it’s easy to throw together ahead of time too!
    Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Cucumber Noodles with Asparagus and Ginger Scallion Sesame Sauce (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegan, Paleo)

    Reply
  5. patsy says

    March 22, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    I’m totally making this next time we have friends over! Yum!
    patsy recently posted..Sauteed Baby Purple Brussels Sprouts from Frieda’s #healthynewyear

    Reply
  6. Jean says

    May 5, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    I think freezing the cream cheese for a bit actually turns out to be a time saver when I make this. It’s so much easier to slice and line it up when slightly stiffer than trying to deal with soft gooey cream cheese.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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