Festive Italian Cheese Log (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cheese Mix

01 - 500g (16 ounces) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
02 - 1/3 cup sour cream for a smoother texture
03 - 2 cups of any tangy cheese, freshly grated (cheddar works great)

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil, and thyme (or swap for Italian seasoning)
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary, dried
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - A teaspoon of chili flakes or red pepper

→ Add-ins

10 - 280g (9 ounces) jarred roasted red peppers, finely diced
11 - 180g (6 ounces) of salami, chopped up small
12 - 3/4 cup of green olives, diced into tiny pieces
13 - 1/3 cup of chopped green onion (3-4 stalks worth)

→ Toppers

14 - 220g (7 ounces) oil-packed sun-dried tomato strips, roughly chopped
15 - A handful (1/4 cup) of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
16 - A few sprigs of rosemary for decor
17 - Some crackers for serving (Ritz or Triscuits work well)

# Instructions:

01 - Spray your loaf pan with some oil and then line it with plastic wrap, letting the wrap hang over the edges a little.
02 - In a big mixing bowl, throw in the cream cheese, sour cream, grated cheese, seasonings, diced peppers, chopped salami, olives, and green onions. Stir everything until it's well mixed.
03 - Take a small bite of the mixture to check. Sprinkle some extra salt if it needs it, but don’t forget your crackers may already be salty.
04 - Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and press it down to make sure there aren't any air pockets. Fold the plastic wrap over the top and chill it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
05 - Flip the loaf onto a platter and peel off the plastic wrap. Scatter the sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle a little of their oil on top. Toss the parsley on and decorate with rosemary sprigs for a nice look.
06 - Let it sit out for a short while so it softens up—it’s easier to spread that way. Serve with plenty of crackers on the side!

# Notes:

01 - You can make it up to 7 days early, so it’s great for getting ready for a party!
02 - Skip the sour cream if you're using the softer version of cream cheese.
03 - Grate fresh cheese—it blends smoother than pre-shredded.

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