One Kitchen, Many Cultures

cheese paste

Showing: 1 - 2 of 2 Articles
Gluten Free

Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread.

Leave a Comment on Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread.

vegetable cream cheese spread (6)

If you grew up on the islands you’d have at least one experience with cheese paste sandwiches… the go-to snack at many kids birthday parties. A zesty cheese spread made with grated cheddar, spiced with mustard and usually done in different colors so you get that sort of rainbow effect when you look at a cross-section of a sandwich. This recipe is the gown-up version of said cheese paste as we’ll add some fresh vegetables to the mix and instead or grated cheese, we’ll employ the use of cream cheese.

You’ll Need…

1 package of plain cream cheese
1 small carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper (*optional)
pinch sea salt
pinch black pepper

IMPORTANT: If doing this recipe gluten free, be sure to go through the entire list of ingredients to ensure they meet with specific gluten free dietary needs. Remember the bagels I used in the image/video does contain gluten. NOTE: I have this posted under vegetarian and I know some people skip the cheese as part of their vegetarian diet – please substitute as necessary.

vegetable cream cheese spread (1)

Make sure to bring the cream cheese to room temperature (soft – DON”T microwave), so it’s easy to mix. Grate the carrot, dice the celery and bell pepper. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water after handling the scotch bonnet pepper and DON”T include any of the seeds nor the white membrane surrounding the seeds or you’ll be dealing with the raw heat. If you want you can use a few drops of your fav hot sauce / peppersauce instead of the fresh scotch bonnet. Chop the chives and parsley very fine.

vegetable cream cheese spread (2)

Now in a deep mixing bowl add the soft cream cheese and mix together all the ingredients until they are well combined. Taste for salt and adjust according.

vegetable cream cheese spread (3)

vegetable cream cheese spread (4)

vegetable cream cheese spread (5)

Enjoy on toasted bagels, sliced bread, pita, or your fav Caribbean style breads (coconut, cassava.. even sada roti). This is a also a great topping for crackers, toasted chips or anything you use as a vehicle for dips.

Store in a container in the fridge for at least a week. You can personalize this a bit more by adding any of your fav grated vegetables to the mix.

Sauces & Condiments

Cheese Paste Sandwich Spread.

33 Comments on Cheese Paste Sandwich Spread.

If you’re from the Caribbean and you’ve never had a cheese paste sandwich for lunch, your mommy didn’t love you. I’m just joking, but just about everyone I speak with about having cheese paste sandwiches, they can all relate.. no matter which island they’re from. Back in the day I recall people also adding a drop or two of food coloring to this wonderful cheesy spread to enhance the look of the finished sandwich. Green, pink, yellow and in some cases, blue.. do you remember?

Cheese paste is just a spiced up cheese spread that’s ideal on sliced bread and crackers.

 

You’ll Need…

3 cups grated cheese (old cheddar)
2 tablespoons grated carrots
1 tablespoon mayo
1 tablespoon butter (soft)
pinch black pepper
1/2 small onion grated
1 tablespoon prepared mustard.
dash peppersauce (hot sauce)

Notes:  If it’s not getting smooth, add a tablespoon or 2 of milk as you whisk. To make the cheese easier to grate, place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes before grating to firm up a bit. You can certainly use a mixture of different cheeses if you like. I used what we had in the fridge. You can also add additional flavor by adding in some finely diced pimento peppers (aka seasoning pepper) to the mix.

Grate the cheese as fine as you can so the overall texture will be very creamy. Then place all the ingredients in a large bowl and give it a good mix as to incorporate all the flavors and give the cheese paste a lovely creamy finish.

This has got to be one of the simplest recipes I’ve shared to date and quite honestly.. one of my faves! There will be enough here for about 6-8 sandwiches (depending on how thick you spread it on) and if you don’t use it all the first time, it can store in the fridge for a couple days. Be sure it’s covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

Before you go, don’t forget to check out the latest cooking videos, connect with me on twitter and join our community on facebook. oh yea! leave me a comment below – it’s appreciated.