Quince paste and cheese appetizer is a classic pairing that has been enjoyed for centuries. The sweet, tangy flavor of quince paste pairs perfectly with the sharp, salty flavor of cheese. This appetizer is a great way to start a party or to serve as a light lunch or snack. There are many different variations on the recipe, so you can easily find one that suits your taste. Whether you prefer a simple combination of quince paste and cheese or a more elaborate appetizer with additional ingredients, you're sure to find a recipe that you'll love.
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MANCHEGO QUINCE SKEWERS
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories appetizer
Time 15m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut the quince paste into 1-inch cubes and roll them in the crushed almonds. Cut the cheese into 1-inch cubes.
- Put a quince cube onto a toothpick, then a watercress leaf followed by a cube of cheese. Place on a platter and serve.
- Note: Parmigiano-Reggiano can be substituted for the Manchego. Quince paste can be found in cheese shops or Latin markets.
MANCHEGO CHEESE WITH QUINCE PASTE
Categories Cheese Appetizer Quick & Easy Quince Gourmet Sugar Conscious Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Serves 8 to 10 as part of a tapas buffet
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut cheese into 1/4-inch-thick wedges, discarding rind, and cut quince paste into 1/8-inch-thick rectangles. Top cheese wedges with quince paste wedges and arrange on a platter.
QUINCE PASTE
Quince paste is similar to a fruit leather, only a bit thicker. It's traditionally served in Spain with a slice of manchego cheese. I like this method of preparation, which I find easier than peeling and coring prior to cooking. I've modified this a bit from the original, found on epicurious.com . Prep time does not include chilling.
Provided by duonyte
Categories Dessert
Time 3h
Yield 2 1/4 lbs., 18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 deg. and line a baking dish with foil.
- Scrub fuzz off the quinces and pat dry. Place in pan, cover with foil, and roast until tender, about 2 hours Transfer pan to rack. When quices are cool enough to handle, peel, quarter and core them. (A melon baller is very useful for coring, and I find that you can scoop the flesh with a spoon).
- Puree pulp in food processor with as little water as possible until smooth. Force through a large fine sieve into a liquid cup measure and measure amount of puree. Transfer to a 3-qt. heavy saucepan and add an equivalent amount of sugar.
- Cook quice puree over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until it is thickened and begins to pull away from side of pan, about 25 minutes. Pour into a lightly oiled 1 quart terrine, smoothing top with an offset spatula, and cool. (Alternatively, pour onto a lightly oiled cookie pan and spread out to about 1/4 inches thickness and let cool).
- Chill puree in terrine until set, about 4 hours. Puree in cookie pan will set without chilling. Remove from pan.
- Quince paste keeps, wrapped well in wax paper and then plastic wrap and chilled, for 3 months.
- Slice paste and serve with cheese and crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 97.7, Sodium 0.9, Carbohydrate 25.4, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 22.2, Protein 0.1
QUINCE PASTE
The quince is an old-fashioned, intensely aromatic, and dearly loved fruit. It is not an easy fruit to prepare, as it needs to be poached or cooked before it can be used in recipes. Quince paste is a wonderful accompaniment to cheese and crackers-try chevre as well as other mild, firm cheeses. You can also serve it for breakfast in place of jam.
Provided by none
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Jams and Jellies Recipes
Time 5h
Yield 32
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Wash, peel, and core the quinces, reserving the cores and peels. Coarsely chop the flesh and transfer the fruit to a large pan. Wrap the cores and peels in cheesecloth, tie the bag with kitchen string, and add it to the pan. (The peels contain most of the fruit's pectin, which contributes to the firmness of the quince paste.)
- Pour in enough water to cover the quinces and boil, half-covered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until the fruit is very soft. Remove the bag of peels and pass the quince flesh through a sieve or food mill. (For best results, don't use a food processor as it will result in too fine a texture.) You should have about 2 1/2 pounds of fruit pulp.
- Transfer the quince pulp to a saucepan and add the sugar (ideally, you should add the same amount of sugar, by weight, as the fruit pulp). Cook and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the paste becomes very thick and has a deep orange color. Draw the wooden spoon along the bottom of the saucepan: it should leave a trail and the quince mixture will stick to the spoon.
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with greased parchment paper. Transfer the quince paste to the baking dish, spreading it about 1 1/2-inch thick. Smooth the top and allow it to cool.
- Dry the paste on your lowest oven setting, no more than 125 degrees F (52 degrees C), for about 1 1/2 hours. Allow the quince paste to cool completely before slicing. (In Europe, the traditional method of drying the quince paste is to leave it in a cupboard for about 7 days. The remaining juices will continue to evaporate and render a drier paste.)
- Store quince paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator; the color will deepen with age.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 169.5 calories, Carbohydrate 44.1 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 3.4 mg, Sugar 34.3 g
MANCHEGO QUINCE PASTE NAPOLEONS
Provided by Shelley Wiseman
Categories Cheese Christmas Cocktail Party Vegetarian Quick & Easy New Year's Eve Quince Almond Gourmet
Yield Makes 30 to 40 hors d'oeuvres
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Square off curved side of cheese wedge with a knife so it fits slicer, then slice cheese into generous 1/8-inch-thick rectangles (about 8). Arrange in 1 layer on a sheet of parchment or wax paper.
- Cut quince paste into 1/16-inch-thick rectangular slices with slicer or a knife and put on top of Manchego slices, piecing quince-paste slices together to cover cheese evenly. Make "napoleons" by stacking 2 cheese/paste layers together. Press almonds decoratively into quince paste on top.
- Cut stacks into serving pieces (about 1 1/2- by 1/2-inch rectangles or 1-inch squares), trimming edges.
Tips:
- Choose ripe quinces: Use firm, ripe quinces that are free of blemishes. This will ensure the best flavor and texture in your paste.
- Cook the quinces until soft: The quinces should be cooked until they are very soft, almost falling apart. This will make it easier to blend them into a smooth paste.
- Use a food processor or blender: A food processor or blender is the best way to get a smooth and creamy paste. If you don't have either of these appliances, you can use a potato masher, but it will take more effort.
- Add sugar to taste: The amount of sugar you add to the paste will depend on your personal preference. Start with a small amount and add more to taste until you reach the desired sweetness.
- Let the paste cool before serving: The paste will thicken as it cools, so let it cool completely before serving. This will make it easier to spread and will also help the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Quince paste and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. The sweet and tangy flavor of the paste pairs perfectly with the salty and creamy flavor of the cheese. This appetizer is also very versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. You can spread it on crackers, bread, or fruit, or you can use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. No matter how you serve it, quince paste and cheese is sure to be a hit!
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