3000 miles 'til dinner.

~ for a party! This recipe may be reduced by half for a smaller quantity. It is a delicious spicy cheese spread. 

You will need a container for layering the torta, lined with plastic wrap. I use a medium size bread pan, but any container or several containers for molds. For instance, if you’d like several dome shaped tortas, use deep bowls. 

Prep time:  45 minutes

Servings: 50+ on crackers, crostini or baguette  *left-over torta: see below

♥PANTRY, FRIDGE, MARKET♥♥

chipotle & cheddar mix

8 oz. medium or sharp cheddar, grated

16 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 C. unsalted butter, softened

2 medium chipotle peppers (rehydrated or canned)

1 t. sea salt

pesto

1 C. whole almonds, toasted    (pecans or pepitas/pumpkin seeds)

1/4 bunch cilantro, large stems removed & coarsely chopped

2 medium cloves garlic

2  pasilla chilies, roasted, seeded, coarse chopped      (or used canned green chilies)

1 medium chipotle pepper  (rehydrated dried chili or best choice, canned chili)

1 t. sea salt 

3 T olive oil

♥PREP

In food processor:

Pulse grated cheddar with chipotle peppers until fine bits. Add cream cheese, butter and salt. Pulse until creamy.  Remove and set aside.

Rinse processor bowl. Pulse almonds, cilantro, chilies, garlic, olive oil chipotle pepper until until mixed and nuts are coarse.

Layer into lined bread pan, beginning and ending with the cheese mix, i.e. cheese, pesto, cheese, pesto, cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and press down gently so mixture is snuggly pressed into the container. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours.

When ready to serve:

 *turn loaf out on cutting board & slice into desired wedges or slices

  *arrange several wedges or over-lapping slices attractively on a platte

  *garnish with toasted nuts or pepitas 

** Can be made 2 days ahead.

♥♥ WAYS TO “just wing it” ♥♥               consider or substitute

*consider using other strong flavored cheeses, such as chevre, instead of cheddar

*consider using a combination of basil and cilantro in the pesto

♥ Helpful Hints♥

*left-over torta can be frozen for use in omelets, mac ‘n cheese, melted over a broiled chicken breast or in a grilled turkey/ham & cheese sandwich. Once again, the possibilities are endless!

*frozen torta will be crumbly, best used in sauces or cooking 

MIL mission