Two New Recipes for a Different Type of Cheese Appetizer

For your next party, give the cheese platter a break and try these delicious cheese recipes from Ariane Duarte
Ariane Duarte,
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Mushroom and Finlandia Swiss Tartlets

 

INGREDIENTS

 1c shitake mushroom, sliced
 1c Portobello mushrooms, sliced
 ½ c domestic button mushrooms, sliced
 2 shallots, diced
 2T olive oil
 1T butter
 1T chopped parsley
 1c Finlandia Swiss Cheese, small dice
 ½ c parmesan
 Salt & pepper
 4 eggs
 2c heavy cream
 36 prepared tartlet shells

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a sauté pan add butter and oil. Get hot and add shallots and mushrooms.
  3. Cook on high heat until mushrooms are brown and soft.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Add parsley.
  5. In a blender, add mushrooms, eggs, cream and parmesan.
  6. Blend for about 1 minute (not too smooth).
  7. Add in Finlandia Swiss. With a small scoop fill tartlets.
  8. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15-18 minutes.

(Makes about 36)

Ariane's notes: Finlandia Swiss is superior to others on the market and I especially like the results it delivers in my signature Mushroom Cheese Tartlets. Aged for over 60 days, the flavor remains true to its claim as “The World’s Finest Swiss Cheese.” A big reason for the difference in taste is Finlandia’s commitment to nurturing small independent farmers who supply the company with pure, unique cheese cultures and aging process to make this such a delectable cheese.

 

Finlandia Lacey Swiss Crisps

 

INGREDIENTS

 5 – 6 Slices Finlandia Lacey Swiss
 Fresh Basil, snipped with kitchen shears or chiffonade
 Oven dried tomato (see instructions below)

 

DIRECTIONS

Bake Swiss slices on Silpat in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes until crisp.

Break into 4 portions each and serve topped with ½ of an oven dried tomato and fresh basil.
 

FOR THE OVEN-ROASTED TOMATOES:

 

INGREDIENTS

10 Plum tomatoes (cut in ½ through the center)
½ c Olive oil
2 T Fresh Thyme (chopped)
Salt & pepper
1 T sugar

 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place cut tomatoes on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil, thyme, salt, pepper and sugar.
  3. Place in a 200 degree oven for about 2-4 hours until they shrink to about ½ their size.  

  

Ariane's notes: The texture and visual beauty of Finlandia’s Lacey Swiss lends itself to making a beautiful appetizer. In this recipe, the cheese becomes the cracker because of its ability to hold up even in oven temperatures. These delicious crisps are so easy to make and really bring out the nutty flavor Finlandia is famous for. In addition, they make a great appetizer for those trying to avoid carbs.

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