Cheesy Italian Log (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Cheese Base
01 -
Softened cream cheese, 16 oz (500 g), at room temp
02 -
A third of a cup of sour cream to make it easier to spread
03 -
Two cups of freshly shredded cheddar cheese or another tasty variety
→ Herbs & Seasonings
04 -
Half a teaspoon of dried rosemary
05 -
A teaspoon of garlic powder
06 -
Half a teaspoon of dried thyme (or go with a full teaspoon of Italian seasoning instead)
07 -
Half a teaspoon of dried oregano
08 -
A teaspoon of kosher salt
09 -
A teaspoon of chili flakes or red pepper flakes
10 -
Half a teaspoon of dried basil
11 -
Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
→ Mix-ins
12 -
6 oz salami (about 180 g), chopped into small pieces
13 -
9 oz roasted red peppers (280 g), drained and diced finely
14 -
One-third cup of finely diced green onions (use 3 or 4 stalks)
15 -
Three-fourths of a cup of chopped green olives
→ Garnish
16 -
7 oz strips of sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), roughly cut (220 g)
17 -
Fresh rosemary sprigs for decorations
18 -
A quarter cup of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
19 -
Serve with crackers for scooping (like Triscuits or Ritz)
# Instructions:
01 -
Coat your loaf tin lightly with cooking spray. Then, line it with plastic wrap, making sure to leave some extra overhang.
02 -
Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in everything except your garnishes—cream cheese, sour cream, grated cheese, herbs, spices, green onions, chopped salami, roasted peppers, and olives. Stir till it's all blended together.
03 -
Take a taste and see if it needs more salt. Don’t forget your crackers might already add some saltiness!
04 -
Scoop the mix into your pan and press down firmly to get rid of any air bubbles. Fold that plastic wrap over and pop it into the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours.
05 -
Flip the cheese loaf onto a plate for serving, peel off the plastic, and dress it up with your chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with some of their oil. Finish with a sprinkle of parsley and sprigs of rosemary.
06 -
Let it warm up just a bit before serving. It'll spread better closer to room temp. Pair with plenty of crackers for scooping it up!
# Notes:
01 -
This can be prepped up to 7 days ahead—great for planning a party!
02 -
If you’re using cream cheese that’s already soft and spreadable, skip the sour cream.
03 -
Shredding your own cheese gives the best results because pre-shredded types don’t mix in as smoothly.