I love to host a good girls night or get together. It’s what I live for. I love entertaining, I love cooking and I love seeing happy faces around the room when I watch people eat my food. I think the reason that I’m able to love it so much is I always keep things super simple.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the number one reason people don’t entertain is because they don’t like to cook or feel stressed and overwhelmed. That’s why I’m here!
These 5 cheesy appetizers all have a wow factor, but can be made in no time at all. Each one is featuring my absolute favorite cheese, Dorothy’s Cheese. Ever since going to visit the factory in Lena, IL and learning all about Dorothy’s story, I find myself gravitating to it more and more. One of the cheeses, “Comeback Cow” was the New Product winner for Cheese – Cow Milk at the SOFI AWARDS from Specialty Food Association.
If you haven’t read about why this cheese is so special, click here.
These 5 appetizers use both the “Comeback Cow” and the “Keep Dreaming” variety of cheese. They are completely interchangeable in these recipes! It just depends which flavor profile you like best.
“Come Back Cow” is tinged with orange and taste rustic and fragrant while “Keep Dreaming” is a bit creamier with a more mature, robust flavor. Both are amazing!
Here are the 5 fail-proof cheesy appetizers!
Baked Dorothy’s Cheese with Apricot Preserves
Baking a soft cheese is a classic at nearly any cocktail party you find yourself at, and for good reason! It’s always a hit and it’s insanely delicious. I decided to use “Comeback Cow”, and let me tell you, it turned out incredible. I spread the apricot preserves on top of the cheese, covered it in crescent roll dough (added a little heart, because why the heck not), brushed it with an egg wash and just baked it as I would a normal brie for about 20 minutes.
It turned out perfectly gooey.
Cheese & Berry Topped Crispy Wonton
This one was a piece of cake! I used a mini cupcake tin and laid wonton wrappers in each space. I filled each wonton with a piece of the, “Keep Dreaming” and baked them for only 10 minutes. Once they cooled a little, I topped each with a raspberry. The berry added the perfect pop of color and sweetness.
Pear Crostini
Little squares of toasts topped with Dorothy’s “Keep Dreaming” and sliced pear is all it took to make this tasty treat. It almost feels like cheating when you realize how simple it is to make decadent appetizers at home, but I’m certainly not complaining.
Prosciutto Wrapped Melon
If prosciutto wrapped melon is wrong, I don’t ever want to be right. This appetizer can be passed at a more formal party or part of a buffet. I took mine up a notch by wrapping the prosciutto around melon and adding some “Keep Dreaming”. First bite in, I knew it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
Apple & Walnut Flatbread
Flatbread is ALWAYS a big hit and rarely disappoints but this recipe turned out beautiful too!
I used store bought naan and toasted in a pan with a little olive oil. Next, I sliced apples and threw them into a skillet with a few teaspoons of sugar and some walnuts. While they combined, I used “Comeback Cow” and spread it on the naan. Once the apples softened, I poured the mixture onto the flatbread.
Top it with a little fresh or dried rosemary and you’re done! It’s seriously that easy, and couldn’t be more beautiful.
Whether you’re entertaining or just making a snack at home, there’s no need for it to be stressful. Most of this I had in the fridge already and with a little imagination, and of course my girl Dorothy, my tastebuds were dancing!
Love always,
Erica
