Recipes by Mom -- Herbed Cheese Appetizers -- Appetizers -- Appetizer Recipe -- Cocktail Food Recipe -- Easy Appetizer

This Herbed Cheese Appetizer recipe makes a colorful addition to your holiday party. Herbed Cheese Appetizers can be made several hours ahead of time and are very tasty. Enjoy with your favorite Christmas Drinks.

Ingredients

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 – 2 teaspoons ground five-blend peppercorns
1 (8 ounces) package firm cream cheese
18 medium sun-dried tomatoes
36 small fresh basil leaves
Small toothpicks
8-inch square pan
Measuring spoons
Mixing bowls
Knives

Preparation

Herbed Cheese Appetizers

Pour olive oil into a shallow 8-inch square pan. Add the dried herbs and peppercorns, stirring to combine. Cut cream cheese into 1/2-inch cubes (you should have 36 cubes). Add cubes to oil mixture, tossing lightly so that each cube is liberally coated with the oil mixture. Set coated cubes aside at room temperature for about two hours. Meanwhile, place the sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl with enough boiling water to cover. Set aside sun-dried tomatoes for 15-minutes to soften. Drain, blot dry and cut each tomato in half. Thread one basil leaf onto a toothpick. Thread on a cream cheese cube and a tomato half. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

Helpful Hints

You may substitute fresh mozzarella cheese for the cream cheese for this Herbed Cheese Appetizer recipe.