Mediterranean Cranberry Cheddar Stack

This Mediterranean Cranberry Cheddar Stacks have a delicious combination of savory, sweet, nutty, and fresh flavors. We prepare these stacks with cheddar cheese, cranberries, walnuts, olive oil, orange zest, rosemary, parsley, black pepper, honey, and orange juice. These stacks have approximately 145 calories and 7 g of net carbs. In roughly twenty-five minutes, we create these stacks. These Mediterranean Cranberry Cheddar Stacks are ideal for holidays, parties, brunches, dinner gatherings, appetizer boards, and special occasions. You can prepare the cranberry mixture earlier and refrigerate the finished stacks for three days. Freezing is not suggested. You can serve these stacks with Greek Salad, Arugula Salad, Hummus, Tzatziki, Fresh Grapes, Orange Slices, or a Mediterranean Cheese Board.

STATS:

• Course: Appetizer, Snack
• No. of Calories: 145 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean, Vegetarian
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Cook time: 5 minutes
• Portion size: 2 stacks
• Cooking mode: No-bake, stovetop
• Total servings: 8
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Total time: 25 minutes

TOOLS:

• Chopping board
• Knife
• Skillet
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Serving platter

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cranberries
• ½ cup walnuts

FLAVORING:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp parsley
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp orange juice

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

CHEDDAR CHEESE:

• To create a firm texture and rich, savory flavor, we choose sharp cheddar. As a replacement, you can use aged gouda, Manchego, Swiss cheese, or white cheddar.

CRANBERRIES:

• We use cranberries to provide a sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture. As an alternative, you can use dried cherries or chopped dried apricots.

WALNUTS:

• To add a crisp texture and nutty flavor, we utilize walnuts. You can also use almonds or pistachios.

OLIVE OIL:

• Olive oil adds a Mediterranean flavor and smooth finish. You can substitute avocado oil.

ORANGE ZEST:

• Orange zest provides a fresh citrus flavor. Lemon zest could be utilized as a further option.

ROSEMARY:

• Fresh rosemary adds an aromatic herbal flavor. You can substitute fresh thyme.

HONEY:

• Honey balances the tartness of the cranberries. Maple syrup can be used instead.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Toast the chopped walnuts in a dry pan for almost three minutes and cool them.
2. Stir the olive oil, cranberries, orange juice, walnuts, honey, parsley, black pepper, rosemary, and orange zest.
3. Cut the cheddar into sixteen uniform squares.
4. Put one cheddar square on a serving platter.
5. Include a little spoonful of the cranberry mixture.
6. Put  a different cheddar square on the surface.
7. Prepare eight stacks with the same process.
8. Add the the orange zest and fresh parsley to the stacks as a garnish.
9. Refriegerate the stacks for almost fifteen minutes and then serve.

TIPS:

• We cut the cheddar pieces uniformly for neat stacks.
• You could toast the walnuts gently for a perfect flavor.
• Avoid filling the stacks too much.
• We utilize unsweetened cranberries to decrease sweetness.
• Allow the stacks to sit at a neutral temperature for almost five minutes before eating.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH & FRUITY:

• Fresh Grapes
• Orange Slices
• Apple Slices
• Fresh Pears
• Pomegranate Seeds

MEDITERRANEAN PAIRINGS:

• Greek Salad
• Arugula Salad
• Hummus
• Whipped Feta Dip
• Tzatziki
• Whole-Grain Crostini
• Mediterranean Cheese Board

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put the stacks in a closed box and chill them for 3 days.

FREEZER:

• As the texture of the cheese will be alter so we don’t advise storing these stacks.

FAQs:

Could we use different cheese?

• Yes, you can use white cheddar, aged gouda, Swiss cheese, or Manchego.

May we decrease the sweetness?

• Yes, you can use unsweetened cranberries and decrease or skip the honey.

Will we prepare these stacks earlier?

• Yes, you can make the cranberry mixture one day beforehand and assemble the stacks a few hours before eating.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

Proteins: 6 g

Caloric Content: 145 kcal

Net carbs: 7 g

Sodium: 190 mg

Fiber: 1 g

Sugar: 5 g

Fats: 11 g

Portion Size: 2 stacks

Total carbs: 8 g