Shelly's Recipe

CHEESE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO TORTE

Category: Spreads -- Cold

1 cup unsalted butter
1 (8 oz) pkg crumbled feta cheese
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped pine nuts
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
1 tsp pressed or finely minced garlic
2/3 cup (2 oz) chopped sun-dried tomatoes (Do not use sun-dried tomatoes in oil.)
1 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
Sprigs of fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Let butter, feta and cream cheese come to room temperature. Toast nuts in a skillet over medium heat stirring constantly until nuts are lightly toasted; remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Thoroughly cream together butter, feta and cream cheese. Blend in garlic and basil. Cover the bottom of a 6-inch spring form pan (or similar shaped 4-cup sized dish) with half of the nuts. Spoon over half the cheese mixture.

Combine sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle evenly over the cheese mixture. Layer with remaining cheese mixture and sprinkle remaining nuts on top. Cover and refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours). Run a knife around the side of the torte and remove the sides of the spring form pan or invert dish onto serving plate.

Allow torte to warm to room temperature before serving. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil if desired. Serve with crackers, bagels, baguette slices, celery sticks or bell pepper slices.