When the Academy Awards show rolls around at the end of Februray every year, I'm ususally too busy to come up with a meal theme to match a movie that is "up" for an award. In fact, dinner on night of the awards show is usually just for Jack and me anyway and he wouldn't appreciate it. Instead, finding recicpes that are star-shaped is really much easier.
Our wine group meets on Saturday night and I've been asked to bring an appetizer. So, I'm sticking with my star idea and brining a curried cheese spread that is shaped into a star.
Curried Cheese Star with Apricot and Ginger Glaze
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Start to Finish: 20 Minutes
Curried Cheese Star
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons apple juice
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 cup golden raisins
Apricot Ginger Glaze
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped cocktail peanuts
3 apples, cut into 12 slices each
3 pears, cut into 12 slices each
Crackers
1. In large bowl, beat all ingredients for cheese star ,except raisins, with electric mixer on medium speed 2 to 3 minutes until well mixed and fluffy. Fold in raisins.
2. Trace 5 to 6-inch star, on a sheet of paper (see diagram below). Place a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper over star. Spoon cheese mixture onto parchment paper in center of star shape. Spread over star shape on paper using metal spatula, forming a star about 1 ½ inches high. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
3. In small bowl, mix preserves, ginger and vinegar. Spoon glaze over cheese star. Sprinkle peanuts over top.
4. Serve with apple slices, pear slices and crackers.
24 servings (1 tablespoon cheese and 3 fruit slices each) Of course if everyone eats 2 tablespoons of this yummy spread (which I intend to do), then it will serve only 12.
Tip: You can substitute sweetened dried cranberries for the raisins.
