Baked Kasseri Cheese Spread

alligirl's Note:

Delicious sounding! How can you go wrong with cheese and olives?! Kasseri is a greek cheese made from either sheep's or goat's milk; it has a sharp, salty flavor and a cheddar-like texture. Taken from BH&Gardens Holiday Appetizers 1999 and posted for ZWT.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6

Yield: 6.0 appetiz ...

• 2/3 cup kalamata olive (pitted and quartered)
• 12 ounces kasseri cheese (or scamorze cheese)
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh oregano
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Dippers

• French bread, apple slices or cracker

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees; cut cheese into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
2. Layer cheese in the bottom of a shallow 1-quart quiche dish or a 9-inch pie plate, overlapping if necessary.
3. Toss together the olives, oregano, garlic, and red pepper.
4. Sprinkle over the cheese.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese just begins to melt.
6. Serve immediately on bread, apples, or crackers; rewarm cheese as needed.

Reviews

[Muffin Goddess]

Yummy salty cheesy goodness! DH was looking for a quick appy to snack on while he was watching the World Cup, and I just happened to have a package of Kasseri cheese in the fridge. I only had a 6 ounce package of the cheese, so I halved the recipe and baked it in my little toaster oven thingie. The Kasseri gets kind of oily when it melts, so I just mopped up the excess at the edges of the pan with a paper towel before serving it. We used crackers with this, but I would like to try it again with some warm flatbread instead (it was good with Club crackers, but a little too rich, so I think it would be even better on something a little less buttery). Sorry, I didn't get a photo, because I didn't want to give DH a pan full of cold melted cheese. Thanks for posting :)! Made for The Queens of Quisine for ZWT6 Family Picks

[Scoutie]

Soooo good! Luckily we have many ethnic markets in our areas so I was able to get the kasseri cheese, and loved it! I think the fresh oregano is essential here, same with the fresh garlic. We served with crusty sour dough and apples. Thanks so much, Alli. Made for ZWT 6.

[French Tart]

This was simply divine darlink! JUST the type of food I love! I was able to use Kasseri cheese as I have some Cypriot friends in the UK and I brought back a selection of Cypriot cheeses last time I was there, and it is one of my favourites. We ate this molten delight with crusty bread and pita bread and had a fresh salad on the side. I used fresh oregano from the garden too. Made for the Cheese and Whine gang and ZWT6, merci! FT:-) )(Photos to be posted.)