|
JUNE
1999
Fresh
Produce and Cheese --
A Perfect Summer Combo
What could
be better than farm-fresh produce in season? How about
farm-fresh produce in season served with some tasty
cheese. Once again our friends at ilovecheese.com
have come up with healthy recipes that hit the spot.
Return
to the recipe list
Summer
Asparagus Roll-Up with
Herb Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Makes 24 rolls
Prep time: 30 minutes
1 pound
(24 spears) asparagus
1-2 red peppers, roasted*
4-6 tablespoons herb cheese spread,**
at room temperature
4 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in boiling water for
10 minutes, drained and finely chopped
8-10 8-inch flour tortillas
Trim asparagus
tips to 4-5 inch lengths, reserving remainder of stalk
for another use. In boiling salted water, cook asparagus
until tender, 4-7 minutes. Rinse under cold water.
Cut peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips. Rinse and dry
asparagus tips and pepper strips thoroughly.
Mix herb
cheese spread and sun-dried tomatoes together. Spread
each tortilla with approximately 1 tablespoon herb
cheese spread. Cut tortillas into strips 1 to 1-1/2
inches wide. Place one asparagus tip and one pepper
strip together at one end of a tortilla strip and
tightly roll-up in spiral fashion. Repeat with remaining
asparagus and peppers.
Refrigerate
covered until serving time. May be prepared up to
one day ahead.
| *
|
Note:
To roast peppers, place under broiler or over
grill until skin is blackened on all sides. Place
in paper bag and close tightly to let steam for
about 10 minutes. Remove peppers from the bag
when cool enough to handle. Peel, split lengthwise
and remove seeds, core and trim. Do not rinse
under water. |
** |
Variation: Substitute 4 ounces blue cheese and
2 ounces cream cheese for herbed cheese and mash
with fork at room temperature and continue with
directions. |
 return
to top
 Gouda
and Strawberry Salad
Serves 4
6 cups romaine, spinach
or radicchio greens
8 ounces sliced Gouda cheese
1 1/2 cups sliced juicy red strawberries
1/2 cup ready made toasted ground pecans
strawberry vinaigrette (see below)
Arrange greens on four
salad plates. Arrange cheese in wedges and strawberries
alternately on greens. Use 2 ounces of cheese and
1/2 cup strawberries per plate. Divide dressing between
the four plates and garnish with 2 tablespoons of
toasted ground pecans on top of salads.
return
to top
Strawberry
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup seedless strawberry
jam or strawberry preserves
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup red wine, strawberry or raspberry vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste
Whisk all ingredients
together in a small bowl. Place in jar with lid and
chill until ready to use.
return
to top
 Smoked
Gouda and Vegetable Spring Rolls
Makes 20 spring
rolls
1 medium zucchini,
cut into match sticks, (1 1/4 cup)
1 medium yellow squash, cut into match sticks, (1
1/4 cup)
1 large carrot, cut into match sticks, (1 cup)
1 cup shredded red cabbage
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or 1/2 cup chopped
fresh parsley
1 package (16 ounces) egg roll wrappers
4-5 cups vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 375F°.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine zucchini, yellow squash,
carrots, red cabbage, cilantro and cheese. Place 1
egg roll wrapper with 1 corner facing you. Spoon about
1/4 cup of filling on center of wrapper. Fold bottom
corner over filling. Moisten left and right corners
with water; fold them toward center over filling.
Moisten remaining edge with water and roll up and
seal. Repeat procedure for remaining spring rolls.
In a deep skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°
F. Fry spring rolls several at a time until golden
brown on all sides, turning once about every 2 to
3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with jarred
or pre-prepared sweet and sour sauce.
Prepare-ahead directions:
When spring rolls are filled, wrap and freeze for
use within one month, or refrigerate if using within
24 hours. Thaw frozen spring rolls completely between
paper towels before frying.
 For
more delicious cheese recipes, ideas and information,
check out the American Dairy Association Web site
http://www.ilovecheese.com.
return
to top
Return
to the recipe list
|
