i make this appetizer for almost every potluck.
i made it for the little she’s first birthday party.
it is requested often throughout the year. and i swear i would make it for only myself for no other reason than to sit and eat it all in one sitting.
and i can only tout it that way because it is not my own recipe.
the credit belongs to my oldest and dearest friend, lacey.
we have been friends since we were 2 years old and lived across the street from each other.
she is a fantastic cook and i am always peeking in her kitchen for my next favorite recipe.

lacey’s marinated cheese

ingredients

1 block cream cheese

1 block cheddar cheese

½ cup red wine vinegar

½ cup olive oil

1 tbsp italian seasoning

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped

¼ cup chopped green onions

3 cloves fresh garlic, chopped

1 large roma tomato (or about 6 grape tomatoes), seeded & finely chopped (don’t use canned tomatoes, trust me) – optional

directions

1. in a bowl, combine the vinegar, EVOO, seasoning, sugar, basil, green onions & garlic.

2. slice up both cheeses and alternate them (cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese & so on) in two rows on a serving dish with sides at least 2 inches high.

3. pour vinegar & seasonings mixture over the cheeses and refrigerate for at least 3 and up to 8 hours.  every 30 minutes, take cheese out of the fridge and re-dredge the cheeses with the vinegar mixture in the bottom of the dish.

4. top with chopped tomatoes & serve with table water crackers.

(cook’s note: after your guests have polished off the cheese, save the marinade and use it the next day to marinate a chicken breast. or use it to dip italian bread in.)