18 January 2011 - 0:00Impressive Cheese Torte

I was a rock star at every event I went to this holiday season when I showed up with what I like to call my “go to” wow-the-party recipe. It’s easy, incredibly visually impressive, and best of all, absolutely yummy. Trust me, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this one it’s perfect for elegant parties as an appetizer and equally appreciated at football gatherings. Try it, you’ll love it!Ingredients

• 4 packages of 8 ounce softened cream cheese
• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1 jar (5 3/4 ounces) drained chopped/sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
• 8 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or combination cheddar and Colby jack)
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 2 1/4 teaspoons good quality Hungarian paprika
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Seedless grapes for garnish
• Assorted crackers

Directions

1. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Remove 3 1/2 cups to a small bowl; stir in pepper and set aside.
3. Fold olives into the remaining cream cheese mixture.
4. Spread evenly over the bottom of a 9-in. ungreased spring form pan and set aside.
5. In another large bowl, beat cheddar cheese, cider and paprika on low speed for 1 minute.
6. Beat on high until almost smooth. Spread half of this over olive layer already in spring form pan.
7. Layer with peppered cheese mixture that was set aside in step 2.
8. Top with remaining cheddar mixture.
9. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.

Before serving, place on serving platter and remove sides of pan. Press pecans into top of torte and garnish with a cluster of grapes in the center. Serve with crackers.

Note: I encourage you to not be intimidated by the number of steps in the preparations process. It’s simple if you take each step in turn, and takes no more than 25 minutes to prepare (not including chilling time).