Cheese/84 recipes

There are many variations of classic Mexican tortilla soup. In this vegetarian version (feel free to substitute chicken for the tofu for a non-veg version) the rich broth is flavored with earthy ancho (New Mexican) chillies and made more filling by adding some kale that retains it's texture well in a hot soup.

Three-layer cranberry cheese bars with a buttery oat crumble crust, tangy cream cheese filling, and whole berry cranberry sauce on top. Makes 24 bars for holiday baking trays.

Traditional Russian Pascha (Paskha) made with cream cheese, butter, raisins, sultanas, and cherries, drained in muslin for 24 hours. A rich, no-bake Easter dessert.

Pesto ravioli with chicken tenders, zucchini, and red bell pepper cooked in one skillet with chicken broth. A 30-minute weeknight pasta dinner tossed in basil pesto.

Granny's ham and potato gratin for a crowd layers parboiled potatoes, diced ham, and Swiss cheese with a mustard-garlic bechamel. Feeds 24, bakes in under an hour, and can be assembled a day ahead.

Cheese and chile squares, a baked appetizer of cottage cheese, Longhorn cheddar and Monterey Jack layered with green chiles and a tabasco-spiked egg custard. Cuts into 24 crowd-ready bites for parties.

Garlic shrimp crostini on toasted French bread rounds with a garlicky cream cheese spread, cherry tomato halves, and fresh parsley. Makes 24 bite-sized party appetizers.

Decadent chocolate cheesecake with chocolate wafer crust, silky cream cheese filling swirled with melted chocolate chips and heavy cream, requiring 24 hours to set.

Rasomadhuri, Indian fried cheese balls made with ricotta, milk powder, and cardamom, soaked 24 hours in sugar syrup. A traditional sweet that melts on your tongue.

Raw stuffed mushrooms filled with cream cheese, deviled ham, and pimento olives - a no-bake party appetizer you can prep a full day ahead. Ready in 30 minutes, serves 24.

Marinated lemon chicken with garlic, oregano, and extra-virgin olive oil, charbroiled and topped with a slice of feta cheese. Greek-style grilled chicken marinated for 24 hours.

Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Truffle fudge cheesecake with 24 ounces of melted chocolate chips blended into a triple cream cheese filling on a cocoa-vanilla wafer crust. A dense, intensely chocolatey no-crack cheesecake.

Helen's Cheesecake with a ground pecan and graham cracker crust, a lemon-kissed cream cheese filling, and a sour cream topping baked right on. Refrigerate 24 to 72 hours - patience is the secret ingredient.

Classic family cheesecake with a cinnamon graham cracker crust, rich cream cheese filling, and a whipped sour cream topping baked on in the final minutes. Chill 24 hours for the best texture.

Italian-style quiche bakes a tomato-oregano custard in a pie shell with black olives, sauteed mushrooms, and Swiss or mozzarella cheese. Pizza-meets-quiche brunch dish that puffs golden in the oven.