Cheddar Ale Spread

I had the opportunity to entertain my grandparents this afternoon for the first time. I was excited to plan some great things to eat and everything turned out just wonderful. As a result, my next few posts will be pieces of that meal, and I figured what better place to start than with an appetizer! This cheese spread has a fabulous tangy flavor, thanks to a small amount of dijon mustard and beer. The recipe calls for an ale, and I think you could really use just about anything so long as it’s not a light beer; I used one of my new favorites - Blue Moon. I processed this pretty well in the food processor, but you could easily choose to pulse it for a chunkier consistency if you would prefer.

Cheddar Ale Spread
(Adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)

8 oz. cream cheese
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2½ cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup beer (pretty much anything but a light beer)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I substituted 2 teaspoons dried)

Combine the cream cheese, mustard, cheddar cheese, cream, and salt in a food processor. Process for 30 seconds, add the beer, and continue processing until very smooth. Pulse in the parsley until just dispersed.

This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You will want to take it out an hour before serving if you do refrigerate.

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19 Comments


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  1. Hmm, interesting. I like beer in food, and I want to start making more appetizer-type food (especially now that football season is starting!), so I’m going to have to try this.

    Comment by Bridget
  2. This sounds soooo good!

    Comment by Sherri
  3. Mmmm, looks great! I’m definitely trying this one. My dad would love it.

    Comment by Annie
  4. That looks so good. I can practically taste it.

    Comment by Jenn
  5. Glad to see it worked out fine without the nuts.

    Comment by peabody
  6. Dijon? I am so in!

    Comment by Kate
  7. This looks fantastic….cheddar/ale spread is one of my husband’s favorites. I’ll have to give this recipe a try!

    Comment by Lindsey
  8. This looks so great - now I just need to check and see if I have all of the ingredients. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!

    Comment by Sarah
  9. Ohhhhhh yum!

    I love Guinness cheddar so I bet this is great! Maybe I will even have to try making it WITH Guinness cheddar!

    Now I really need a food processor.

    Comment by Kelly
  10. I love beer in food! This looks like a great party dip.

    Comment by kmays
  11. What a good idea! My husband loves cheese and ales. Sounds like I know what I’m making next time his friends come over! :)

    Comment by Katie
  12. I have made something very similar around the holidays for years. 50/50 cheddar and swiss, a dash of “watsdishere” sauce, a shovel of garlic and beer…start processing in and gradually add the suds until perfect (your definition of perfect)

    Comment by thom —
  13. Oh yum yum yum!! And I love how you put out a combination of pretzels and veggies to dip in it. I am totally dying to make this dip now. I think I’d prefer to omit the hazelnuts from the recipe as you did.

    Comment by Ashley
  14. This looks delicious, I bet the pretzels were great with it. I wonder if I would like it if I don’t like beer.

    Comment by Amber
  15. i’ve never had a dip like this before - looks delicious!

    Comment by Jaime
  16. Looks delicious! I am not a big ale drinker, but I bet this is good. I think I will make it for a get-together we are having soon.

    Comment by Melissa
  17. Hi chelle! I just blogged this - it’s delicious!

    Comment by colleen

:: Trackbacks/Pingbacks ::

  1. Pingback by Happy Labor Day! « Made by Melissa - on September 1st, 2008 at 8:30 am

  2. Pingback by Cheddar Ale Spread « Made by Melissa - on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am

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