Fromage with love from Pilgrims Choice
Love doesn’t have to be expensive thanks to the latest quick, easy and extremely tasty recipes from Pilgrims Choice.
It is little wonder that, with us Brits being a nations of cheese lovers, cheese is playing an increasingly important role when it comes to catering for our weddings, and these cheap but oh so delicious recipes will help you provide the food for your big day on a very small budget.
One of the most recent innovations when it comes to weddings has been the increasing popularity of savoury wedding cakes, and in particular those made from cheese. There are now a number of companies in the UK creating these kind of wedding cakes and they are as delicious as they are cost effective.
With brides and grooms having to keep a sharp eye on the pennies when it comes to their wedding, we have seen a revival of such retro buffet foods as cheese with pineapple on a stick, and by following these simple recipes from Pilgrims Choice you will have more to splash out on that special dress.
Recipe ideas
Vintage Cheddar Biscuits with a Cheddar dip
Serves: 6 Prep: 20mins Cook: 10mins Preheat oven: 190c Cost per serving: 48p
A divine little treat to impress your guests. Just multiply the ingredient quantities accordingly.
Biscuit Ingredients (makes approx 15 large heart and 15 small heart shaped biscuits):
100g Plain flour
100g Butter at room temperature
100g Pilgrims vintage cheddar cheese, grated.
Ground black pepper.
Dip Ingredients:
150ml soured cream
60g Pilgrims Mature Cheddar, finely grated
Small bunch of snipped chives and extra garnish
Ground black pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 5, 375f, 190c.
2. Place all the biscuit ingredients into a bowl.
3. Run together all the ingredients until a soft ball of dough is formed.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 3mm. Use a heart shaped cutter to cut out the biscuits.
5. Place on a baking sheet and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
6. Move to a wire rack to cool. Serve fresh or store in an airtight container.
For the dip:
Mix together all the ingredients in a ramekin and sprinkle with some extra snipped chives. Serve with the cheese biscuits.
Cooks tips:
• Coat the biscuits with sesame or poppy seeds prior to baking to create a different finish and texture.
• 3 Also serve with a selection of vegetable crudités such as red peppers, carrots and celery cut into batons.
Red Pepper, Tomato and Vintage Cheddar tartlets with a hint of chilli
Serves: 8 Prep: 15mins Cook: 1hr 45mins Preheat oven: 200c
Ingredients:
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
50g olive oil
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
200g ready-made puff pastry
2 Ramiro red peppers cut into strips
salt and pepper
200g Pilgrims Choice Vintage cheddar, grated
Method:
1. Cook the onions in olive oil until soft and melting for about 30mins.
2. Add the tomatoes, chilli, garlic, rosemary and peppers to the onions and cook over a gentle heat for about 45mins, stirring occasionally until everything has reduced and become really thick. Remove from the heat, cool and add some seasoning.
3. Meanwhile, roll out the pastry and line 8 individual tart tins.
4. Scatter half of the cheese in the base of the pastry cases. Spoon in the tomato filling and finish with the remaining grated cheese.
5. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200c, 400f or gas mark 6 for about 30 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cool.
Cheddar and Parma Ham Canapés and Pilgrims Choice Smoked Salmon Whirls
Makes: 15 Prep: 45mins
Ingredients:
250g (9oz) Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature cheddar, finely grated
2 x 200g tubs low fat soft cheese
4 tbsp chopped fresh chives, parsley or dill
season to taste with freshly ground black pepper
120g pack smoked salmon
80g pack Parma ham
Small crackers or crostini, to serve
Fresh herb sprigs, to garnish
Method:
1. Mix together the grated cheddar, soft cheese and chopped herbs. Season with a little black pepper.
2. Spread half the cheese mixture evenly over the salmon slices and roll them up tightly. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
3. Place 2 slices of Parma ham on top of each other to give 3 piles. Spread the remaining cheese mixture evenly over the slices and roll them up tightly. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
4. Slice the salmon and Parma ham rolls with a sharp knife and serve them on top of small crackers or crostini, garnished with fresh herb sprigs.
Asparagus, Prosciutto, and Cheese Tapas
Serves: 8 Prep: 5mins Cook: 15mins Preheat oven: 200c
A delicious appetiser which can be served solo with dressed leaves or rustic ciabatta
Ingredients:
24 spears of asparagus, trimmed (480g)
8 slices prosciutto ham (80g)
100g Pilgrims Choice Mature cheddar
30g olive oil
black pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200c, 400f or gas mark 6.
2. Blanch the asparagus in a large pan of boiling water for a few minutes until tender. Drain and lay out on absorbent paper to remove any excess liquid.
3. Group the asparagus into bundles of three. Wrap each bundle around the middle section of the stalks with a slice of prosciutto.
4. Place the bundles on a baking sheet or in an oven proof dish. Grate over half of the cheese, drizzle with olive oil and finish with some black pepper.
5. Bake in the oven for 10mins until the cheese has melted and the prosciutto begins to go crispy.
6. Serve immediately with the remaining cheese shaved over the asparagus.
Cooks tip: The asparagus can be grilled for 5-10mins as an alternative to baking in the oven.
