If you look at a map of the United States, Omaha Nebraska is just about smack in the middle. There are a lot of people that don’t know where we are or anything about us.
Nebraska’s primary industry is agriculture. That probably doesn’t surprise you, but what might is that Omaha is home to 4 Fortune 500 companies, and billionaire Warren Buffet. Our culture is diverse, and we welcome any reason to celebrate. On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone’s a bit Irish. We have the same claims on Cinco De Mayo and this month, Octoberfest!
Octoberfest is marked with German beer festivals that serve homemade brats and pretzels. To mark Octoberfest, our local newspaper had this recipe for Beer Cheese (Bierkase). They credited this recipe to “Cooking by Mimi Sheraton”. There was just one problem, there wasn’t any beer in it! I made it anyway, and am choosing to call it “Cheese Spread”.
This Cheese Spread was so quick and easy to make. The texture was more like Ricotta than most cheese spreads. John and I thought it was delicious with rye bread and crackers. We enjoyed it just as much on baked potatoes because it melted into the potato perfectly. John said it would make an amazing manicotti filling too. You can change it up with the addition of herbs or spices. I actually added garlic powder, but other than that, prepared it as suggested.
Do you have a favorite celebration? I’d love to hear about it.
I’ll be sharing this with Fiesta Friday party-goers!
FrugalHausfrau
Saturday 7th of November 2015
This is so timely for me because I have ricotta in the fridge and used some for pancakes and was thinking about what to do with the rest!
Julie Menghini
Monday 9th of November 2015
Thank you! It will keep for quite a while too!
Suchitra
Thursday 5th of November 2015
Julie, this looks and sounds delicious! I always buy this huge ricotta tub because it is on sale and don't know what to do with the leftovers! Now I know! Thanks for sharing!
Julie Menghini
Thursday 5th of November 2015
Thank you Su! It's a keeper!
Celebrating Sunshine
Tuesday 3rd of November 2015
This is such an interesting combination of cheeses and I'm sure it goes well with beer. My mother used to make something similar, but added a little onion and dill. Very versatile! :-)
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 3rd of November 2015
I think added onion and dill would be great additions Ana! Is your parents here yet?
Shari
Monday 2nd of November 2015
I love cheese spread, and this one looks wonderful! The blue cheese and the butter in it just sound amazing. I bet it is so creamy. I like the idea of putting it on a baked potato, too. Thanks so much for sharing this, Julie! By the way, did I ever tell you my mom is from Omaha? Several years ago we stopped there on our way to Pennsylvania and got to see the house where my mom grew up. It looks like such a great place to live!
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 3rd of November 2015
Thank you Shari! I didn't know your mom was from Omaha! It really is a great place. We have a little bit of the city but still very rural, and the cost of living is so good that it's a great place to raise a family. Now that I'm done with that however I want to say good bye to winter!
cookingwithauntjuju.com
Saturday 31st of October 2015
The spread would be very interesting in manicotti, especially with the blue cheese. I bet it would be good :)
Julie Menghini
Saturday 31st of October 2015
Thanks Judi!