Old-Fashioned Pounded Cheese With Walnuts and Port Syrup From 'The New Midwestern Table

Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Health score
1%
Old-Fashioned Pounded Cheese With Walnuts and Port Syrup From 'The New Midwestern Table
20 min.
6
318kcal

Suggestions


Indulge in a delightful culinary experience with our Old-Fashioned Pounded Cheese with Walnuts and Port Syrup, a recipe that beautifully marries rich flavors and textures. This vegetarian and gluten-free dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a sophisticated dinner party or simply enjoying a cozy night in. With just 20 minutes of preparation, you can create a stunning antipasti that will impress your guests and tantalize their taste buds.

The star of this dish is the aged cheddar cheese, which brings a depth of flavor that is both sharp and creamy. Combined with the smoothness of salted butter and a hint of Dijon mustard, this pounded cheese is whipped to perfection, creating a luxurious spread that pairs beautifully with the crunchy toasted walnut halves. The pièce de résistance is the homemade port syrup, a sweet and tangy drizzle that elevates the dish to new heights, reminiscent of a classic Midwestern table.

Whether served as a starter, snack, or appetizer, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Its rich, savory profile and elegant presentation make it a standout choice for any gathering. So gather your ingredients, fire up your food processor, and get ready to impress with this exquisite blend of flavors that celebrates the essence of comfort food with a gourmet twist!

Ingredients

  • 0.3 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
  • pinch ground pepper 
  • ounces cheddar cheese at room temperature (3 years old )
  • teaspoon dijon mustard 
  • tablespoon brown sugar light packed ()
  • 0.5 cup port wine 
  • tablespoons butter salted cold ()
  • 0.3 cup walnut halves toasted

Equipment

  • food processor
  • sauce pan

Directions

  1. To make the port syrup, combine the port and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer gently until reduced to a light syrup (it will start to throw bigger bubbles and should be the consistency of maple syrup), about 3 minutes.
  2. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Break the cheddar cheese into chunks and drop them into a food processor. Process until pureed.
  4. Add the butter, mustard, black pepper, and cayenne and process, stopping often to scrape down the sides, until whipped and smooth.
  5. Transfer the cheese to a shallow dish, break up the walnut halves and drop them on top, and drizzle with the port syrup. Note: The pounded cheese can be made a few hours ahead and kept at room temperature. Or it can be made the day before and kept in the refrigerator; just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before garnishing with the port syrup and nuts.

Nutrition Facts

Calories318kcal
Protein11.73%
Fat79.68%
Carbs8.59%

Properties

Glycemic Index
32.17
Glycemic Load
0.33
Inflammation Score
-5
Nutrition Score
6.4086956922775%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.18mg
Petunidin
1.33mg
Delphinidin
0.78mg
Malvidin
18.97mg
Peonidin
0.79mg
Catechin
1.97mg
Epicatechin
1.51mg
Quercetin
0.39mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:318.2kcal
15.91%
Fat:26.87g
41.34%
Saturated Fat:13.95g
87.18%
Carbohydrates:6.51g
2.17%
Net Carbohydrates:6.02g
2.19%
Sugar:3.8g
4.22%
Cholesterol:63.17mg
21.06%
Sodium:318.01mg
13.83%
Alcohol:3.06g
100%
Alcohol %:5.07%
100%
Protein:8.9g
17.8%
Calcium:247.75mg
24.77%
Phosphorus:180.29mg
18.03%
Selenium:10.23µg
14.62%
Vitamin A:690.55IU
13.81%
Manganese:0.26mg
13.24%
Vitamin B2:0.16mg
9.7%
Zinc:1.45mg
9.66%
Copper:0.13mg
6.3%
Vitamin B12:0.37µg
6.24%
Magnesium:22.03mg
5.51%
Vitamin E:0.63mg
4.18%
Folate:13.85µg
3.46%
Vitamin B6:0.06mg
3.01%
Vitamin B1:0.04mg
2.52%
Potassium:81.25mg
2.32%
Vitamin B5:0.2mg
2.02%
Vitamin K:2.11µg
2.01%
Fiber:0.5g
1.99%
Iron:0.33mg
1.83%
Vitamin D:0.2µg
1.32%