Quick and Easy Cheese Appetizers

We've collected a few creative yet simple appetizer recipes from a few of our sponsors that can be put together in very little time.

There are cheese and dried fruit canapes, a warm, herb marinated goat cheese and a baked brie with a honey creme center.

Jarlsberg Holiday Fruit Skewers

6 to 8 ounces Jarlsberg cheese, cut into small cubes
8 dried apricots
8 prunes
8 dried figs
24 cubes thin-sliced rye bread

Skewer in the following order: dried fruit, bread cube, Jarlsberg, bread cube, dried fruit.

Makes 12 skewers ~ recipe courtesy Jarlsberg Cheese

Warm Marinated Goat Cheese

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 small bay leaves
1 rosemary sprig, leaves removed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon black, white, green and pink peppercorns, lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, lightly crushed

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
5 ounces Woolwich Dairy Chevrai goat cheese, sliced into equal parts
1 French bread, sliced and toasted

Combine the garlic, herbs, peppercorns, mustard and fennel seeds and oil in a small bowl. Warm over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, then set aside for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

Arrange the goat cheese rounds on a platter and pour the marinade over them. Serve warm with French bread.

Makes 6 to 8 servings ~ recipe courtesy Woolwich Dairy

Layered Honey Creme and Brie Appetizer

Cut a round of Woolwich Triple Creme Goat Brie in half horizontally. Spread your favorite variety of Honey Ridge Farms Honey Crème and and a sprinkling of chopped toasted nuts between the layers.

Wrap in a sheet of puff pastry, trim the excess and place on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve warm with toasted baguette slices.

Makes 8 to 10 servings ~ recipe courtesy Honey Ridge Farms

--- This feature appeared in the Holiday 2011 issue of ZEST