Stone Fruit Cheese Board with Smoked Jalapeno Cheese Dip
Ingredients:
For the smoked jalapeno cheese dip:
- 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or dried minced onions
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus a little extra for on top)
- 1/2 cup shredded garlic white cheddar cheese (I buy this brand called Yancey's Fancy from Sprouts, but you can use all regular cheddar or your favourite cheese)
- 1 large jalapeno (minced)
- A few drops liquid smoke
To assemble the cheese board:
- Your favourite stone fruit (I used 1 sliced peach, 1 sliced plum and a handful of cherries)
- Honey roasted peanuts or other nuts
- Mixed olives
- Your favourite crackers (I highly recommend the cracked pepper Triscuits and the Back to Nature rosemary crackers)
- Sliced cheese, brie, and other cheese you love (I just used the leftover cheddar that I had from making the jalapeno dip)
- Baked smoked jalapeno dip
- Cherry tomatoes or any other fruit or veggie that you have hanging around that can add some color to your gorgeous cheese board
Instructions:
For the smoked jalapeno cheese dip:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix the cream cheese and spices in a small bowl until combined.
- Add the shredded cheese and jalapeno, mixing until combined.
- Add the liquid smoke and mix to combine. Taste and add additional liquid smoke if needed. A little of this goes a long way, and it can get out of hand quickly so just keep trying it.
- Smooth the mixture into a small, oven-safe dish. I used about a 4-inch round ramekin. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheese and bake at 375 degrees F. for 10 minutes. If desired, turn on the broiler for about 2 minutes so that the cheese on top starts bubbling before removing from the oven.
- Serve with pretzel chips or pita chips.
To assemble the cheese board:
- Assemble everything on your board, making sure to fill in all of the open spaces. Use bowls for things like the nuts, cherries and olives and then use the bowls to guide how you place everything else like the crackers.