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Jump to Recipebaked cheese appetizer
We were obsessed with this Sweet and Spicy Hot Cheese Recipe on our last camping trip to Downeast Maine. This fun and delicious starter is so easy and quick to throw together while reigning the most versatile and customizable dish. And did I say fun to eat? This communal melting pot is perfect for any setting. Find a good crusty bread, crackers or even raw vegetable sticks if you want an experience reminiscent of fondue.
We scooped up these ingredients at the closest health food store and chose their local options. We left with these gorgeous varied tomatoes, little spicy red peppers and some raw honey. The best part of this meal was the foraged goldenrod found directly in our campsite. If you happen to have goldenrod near, give it a try, you’ll be glad you did! Bolster this melty cheese appetizer with any herbs of your liking.
Enjoy this spicy hot cheese recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb cheese (see notes for varieties)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into quarters
- 1 small spicy hot pepper
- Raw honey
- Fresh herbs (see notes for varieties)
- Charred bread, crackers or tortillas for dipping
Directions:
Prep: Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters and thinly slice the hot pepper, then divide the cheese into 1 inch thick slabs.
Place the cheese in the skillet and cover with the toppings: tomatoes, peppers and herbs drizzle honey and top with the fresh herbs of your choosing.
Place on med-high heat and allow for the cheese to get bubbly and melty. When all of the cheese is soft enough to scoop up with a piece of bread, remove it from the heat and serve. Optional to add another drizzle of honey on top and garnish with a bundle of more fresh herbs in the center.
Shown:
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Green Egg BBQ Grate
Honey Tool
Melted cheese dip for bread notes:
Types of cheese: Choose a cheese that can melt, create a bubbly, and creamy dip served hot. I used a local boucheron goat cheese, other great options are brie and cheddar.
Fresh Herb Options: We made this epic hot cheese recipe while on a camping trip and just so happened to have fresh goldenrod right in our campsite. I foraged some for the photos and when I tasted it, found that I was really into the flavor. Use what you have near you or what you love to eat! Some good options are – basil, thyme, lavender, chamomile, lemon verbena.
Melted cheese dip for bread- Use a nice rustic loaf such as sour dough or baguette and charr it (or toast) with a little butter spread on each side. Alternatives to bread – crackers or crispy tortillas.
More on what to dip in melted cheese? If you’re not keen on bread, crackers or tortillas, fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli or peppers can’t emulate a fondue-like experience.
If you love this recipe check out its sister recipe, flavored by the oils and cheesy remnants of this meal the night before: Cast Iron Breakfast Bake.
Sweet and Spicy Hot Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb cheese (see notes for varieties)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into quarters
- 1 small spicy hot pepper
- Raw honey
- Fresh herbs (see notes for varieties)
- Charred bread, crackers or tortillas for dipping
Instructions
- Prep: Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters and thinly slice the hot pepper, then divide the cheese into 1 inch thick slabs.
- Place the cheese in the skillet and cover with the toppings: tomatoes, peppers and herbs drizzle honey and top with the fresh herbs of your choosing.
- Place on med-high heat and allow for the cheese to get bubbly and melty. When all of the cheese is soft enough to scoop up with a piece of bread, remove it from the heat and serve. Optional to add another drizzle of honey on top and garnish with a bundle of more fresh herbs in the center.
Notes
tags: hot cream cheese dip, Baked cheese appetizer, Melted cheese dip for bread
