Many professional home economists work in the food industry. You’re probably familiar with some of their recipes, and just don’t know their names. Case in point: two fabulous recipe developers, Emily Richards and Jennifer MacKenzie, have both created recipes for the Dairy Farmers of Canada, including this one.

Apple maple cheddar spread

Makes about 5 servings (1 cup)

Ingredients:

1 red apple, scrubbed well, peel left on, cored
1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup 5% MF cream
1/2 cup shredded white Canadian extra-sharp cheddar cheese (see note)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp fresh chives or green onions, chopped
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, minced and set aside
Thin apple slices or chives (optional)
Crackers (for serving)

Method:

1. Using the large holes of a box cheese grater, grate the apple and squeeze out juice. Set grated apple aside.

2. In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and cream until smooth. Stir in grated apple, cheese, maple syrup, chives, Dijon mustard and garlic until combined.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or for up to 2 days, to blend flavours. (Spread will thicken upon standing.)

4. Transfer to serving container and garnish with chives and/or apple slices (if using). Serve with crackers.

Note: For true cheddar lovers, use a Canadian sharp cheddar cheese aged three years. The contrast of its sharp bite will go perfectly with a sweet crisp local red-skinned apple.

Per serving (3 tbsp not including the crackers): 137 Calories, 9 g Total Fat, 5.4 g Saturated Fat, 0 Trans Fat, 211 mg Sodium, 9 g Carbohydrate, 0.6 g Fibre, 7 g Sugars, 2.2 g added sugars, 6.2 g Protein

Courtesy Mairlyn Smith
mairlynsmith.com
@MairlynSmith