Nov 16, 2007

Cheddar Cheese Log

Credit: Mary Ellen Bartley

MAKES ONE 8" LOG

This retro hors d'oeuvre is among the many recipes Ella Fitzgerald marked in her copy of James Beard's American Cookery (Little, Brown, 1972).

2 lbs. grated cheddar cheese
(mild, medium or sharp)
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1⁄2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1⁄2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1⁄4 cup finely chopped pimientos
1⁄4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1. Place softened cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Add Dijon mustard, Tabasco, parsley and pimientos. Mix until ingredients are evenly distributed, then, if necessary, correct seasoning with mustard and Tabasco.

2. Place a piece of plastic wrap about 9" long on a clean surface. Mound cheese mixture along edge nearest you, then roll in plastic, pressing and molding to form a log about 1 1⁄2" wide and 8" long.

3. Carefully remove plastic and roll log in chopped pecans, pressing nuts into log as you roll. Rewrap log with fresh plastic and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with crackers.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #23

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Ratings & Reviews (2)

by 48RUSH on 2013-01-01

I made this hors d'oeuvre exactly as in the recipe to take to a New Year's Eve Party and was surprised it made two 8"x2" logs, rather than one! Had actually thought that 2 lbs of cheese sounded a lot and the correct amount must surely be 1 lb! It tasted OK, but nothing special and I wouldn't make it again.

by YAZOOLADY on 2013-03-21

MY cheese ball (or you can do it in 2 logs) is enclosed below for those of you who like pimento and cheese in appetizer form. James Beard might have been the father of American cooking but his cheese log was simply terrible! It was dry and crumbly and tasteless. I'm sure that he must have left something out of the printed recipe in his book. I have his book and have cooked from it for many years and everything else "so far" has been wonderful. RobbieAnn

RobbieAnn's Cheese Ball

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese and 1 (4oz.) pkg., softened
½ lb. sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
½ lb. pepper jack cheese, grated
Dash of Tabasco Sauce
Pinch of hot pepper flakes
2 T chopped bell pepper
2 T chopped green onion tops
2 T chopped pimento
2 T Worcestershire sauce

Optional ingredients: to roll cheese ball in are ½ to 1 cup finely chopped pecans or mix 1 T Chili Powder & 1 T Paprika (I like the pecans best)RM

Mix cream cheese and other cheeses thoroughly (use your freshly washed hands). Add remaining ingredients and form into a ball. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving roll cheese ball in one of the 2 garnishes listed above.

Cheddar Cheese Log 4 5 1 2