Looking for some ideas for a wine and cheese party. My husband and I are participating in a wine and cheese party that our boating club is putting on. We are going to be going from boat to boat tasting wine, etc. Each boat is to do a wine from a different country. problem being is that we don't drink wine. I don't mind some White Zinnfandels or certain whites. We are thinking of doing Canadian or BC wines - does anyone have some ideas for wine and perhaps some cheese - what else should I serve with the cheese? Help never done this before.
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kraftcanada.com has some good help for you. click on the entertainment section and it is all there. Make your trays and then don't fuss about them.
Good eating Zella
For all of your input - great advice and ideas. I'm feeling much better about the whole thing now.
she is in the food business and knows thw shops in your area...her suggestions would be all you would need I think. :)
to have some fresh fruit to cleanse the pallette. A tray of red and green grapes, pineapple , melon and strawvberries skewered make for easy handling. It also adds a wonderful colour to the presentation. You might also want to label your cheeses, so that people know what they are trying.
"Brie - a soft creamy mellow cheese - pleasant and rich taste":D
BC wines are a great choice for a wine and cheese party. Add some smoked salmon to your trays for a true BC flavour.
I've found some crackers can over power the taste of the cheese. Lately I've been using the Hot Kid Rice Crisps. And they are way lower in fat. I'll also just nibble on them plain.
Philly Cheese & grated aged cheddar are staples in the house for seasonal entertaining. I've been making cheese balls from this base for years. Anything goes. Add a little mayo so they aren't too dry. Some garlic, some dill, some green onions, dry mustard, etc. Roll in raw sunflower seeds.
Go to the Liquor Store at Fort and Foul Bay they are the wine experts ask them for a good BC wine there are many and not all expensive. Check out some cheese made on Salt Spring Island I am not sure exactly where you will find it but there is a great little gourmet shop on Oak Bay Ave in the Village ( it is not on the Ave but just up a couple of doors on one of the side streets right in the middle of the Village). Check with the Wine guy at the LDB and ask him about cheese pairings. Also include some fruit dry and fresh and nuts go really well. But make your first stop at the LDB they are so helpful at that store and really know their stuff ask for the Wine expert.
The Perfect Cheese Ball
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: 16 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
2 cups KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 Tbsp. port wine
1/2 cup PLANTERS Chopped Pecans
1/4 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup
MIX cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cranberries and wine until well blended; cover. Refrigerate 1 hour.
SHAPE into ball or other desired shape; coat with pecans. Place on serving plate; drizzle with syrup.
SERVE with an assortment of cut-up fresh vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, and NABISCO Crackers.
Party Cheese Ball
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 3 hr 15 min
Makes: 24 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp. chopped red bell pepper
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. lemon juice
Dash ground red pepper
Dash salt
1 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
BEAT cream cheese and cheddar cheese in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
MIX in all remaining ingredients except pecans; cover. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
SHAPE into ball; roll in pecans. Serve with assorted NABISCO Crackers.
Spiced Cherry Cheeseball
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 2 hr 15 min
Makes: 24 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread, softened
1 pkg. (10 oz.) CRACKER BARREL Vermont Sharp-White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup PLANTERS Pecan Pieces, toasted, finely chopped
RITZ Crackers
Savory Cheese Spread
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 3 hr 10 min
Makes: 24 servings, about 2 Tbsp. each
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 jar (5 oz.) KRAFT Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread with Bacon, KRAFT OLD ENGLISH Sharp Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread or KRAFT Pimiento Spread
1/2 cup crushed French fried onions
3/4 toasted chopped PLANTERS Walnuts, Pecans or Slivered Almonds
MIX cream cheese and process cheese spread until well blended. Stir in onions; cover.
REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.
SHAPE mixture into ball; roll in walnuts until evenly coated on all sides. Serve with assorted NABISCO Crackers.
Fresh Mozzarella Kabobs
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 10 min
Makes: 27 servings, 1 kabob each
27 Frilly toothpicks or small skewers
1/2 lb. (cherry-size balls) POLLY-O Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese, drained
27 cherry or grape tomatoes
1 cup KRAFT Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
INSERT toothpick through 1 mozzarella ball, then 1 tomato. Repeat with remaining mozzarella balls and tomatoes.
SERVE with dressing.
MIX cream cheese and cheddar cheese in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in cherries and pumpkin pie spice.
SHAPE into ball; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
ROLL in pecans just before serving. Serve as a spread with the crackers.
For more recipes click the link below. Good Luck with your party.
[url]http://www.kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?s=recipe&m=recipe%2Fknet_recipe_grid&u1=keyword&cid=&u2=cheese+appetizers[/url]