We arrived in the Catskills on Friday night after a very long 14 hour drive. My wonderful husband drove the whole way. We got up to Twilight just in time for the Friday night drop in dinner at the club house which was a welcome treat. After a quick bite and hello to old friends that we hadn’t seen since last summer, we came up to the house to unpack and relax. Friends in Charleston were asking me before we left what we did up here. To be honest, we don’t do much- there are pretty much only two questions to be answered during the course of the day. What hike will we do, and who’s porch are we sitting on tonight. The hiking I love, but porch life is what I look forward to all year long. The Swanson’s porch has one of the better views, and hanging on that porch usually involves some sort of meaty treat. Our porch always brings a plethora of cheese (after all it is my porch) and Dave’s porch is usually reserved for after dinner cocktails and fireside chats. It really doesn’t matter who’s porch we are on, it is always a good time. However, I did want to spice up my cheese offerings this year. And, in honor of my two favorite cookbook authors, The Lee Brothers, who coincidentally have a house close by and we are hoping to see next weekend, I am going to try to recreate their Henry’s Cheese Spread. I have had it at a cocktail party they threw during Spoleto in Charleston, and it is fantastic. I think everyone in Twilight will love it as much as everyone in Charleston. Stay tuned for more “porch” recipes!
Henry’s Cheese Spread
Ingredients:
10 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (3 cups)
2 ounces (1/4 cup) lager or ale
Juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, drained
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Crystal
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. Transfer to a small bowl to serve.
