Italian Cheese Log
from https://www.recipetineats.com/

Italian Cheese Log

Kick off the holidays with this festive Christmas Appetiser – an Italian Cheese Log! It’s like an antipasto platter in dip form packed with minced salami, olives, peppers, green onions, a hefty dose of Italian seasonings, AND topped with sun dried tomato. As for the sun dried tomato – well, I contemplated putting it in the cheese log, but I simply couldn’t resist how great it looks when piled on top. Add a few sprigs of rosemary, and it just looks so fabulously festive – it’s a perfect Christmas appetiser for sharing!!

The refrigeration time is to firm it up so it can be turned out onto a platter and also to give it time for the flavours to meld. It’s terrific made on the day, but it’s even better the next day… and the next… and the next!

CHEESE LOG:
500g/ 1 lb cream cheese , softened (Note 1)
1/3 cup sour cream (Note 2)
1/2 tsp EACH thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper OR 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt, red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
2 cup cheddar or other cheese , freshly grated (Note 3)
280g / 9 oz roasted peppers , drained and finely chopped
180g / 6 oz salami , finely chopped (Note 4)
3/4 cup green olives , finely chopped
1/3 cup green onion , finely minced (3 - 4 stalks)

TOPPING/SERVING:
220g / 7 oz sun dried tomato strips with OIL , roughly chopped
1/4 cup parsley , finely chopped (or chives)
Rosemary sprigs (decoration)
Jatz or other crackers , for serving

Spray a loaf pan with oil then line with cling wrap with overhang.

Mix Cheese Log ingredients together. Taste and adjust salt if needed (bear in mind saltiness of crackers you are serving with).
Scrape into loaf pan and level surface, pressing to remove air pockets. Smaller pan = taller loaf.

Cover with cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for 4 hours+ (up to 1 week).

Turn out onto platter, peel off cling wrap.

Top with sun dried tomato and pour over oil. Garnish with parsley and rosemary sprigs to give it a festive look.

Best to serve closer to room temp than fridge cold. Serve with crackers! Knives for smearing optional - it's soft enough to scoop with crackers.

Servings 15 - 20