Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 2 Issue 12 – Cheese Day Dinner Party
Did you know that June 4th is National Cheese Day? What better way to celebrate than with a Cheese Day Dinner Party?
I would also call this the excuse I’ve been looking for to create a cheese themed dinner party menu. Doing so may have been on my wish list for roughly a year now.
In general, the goal here is to incorporate some form of cheese or the option of having cheese into as many dishes as possible without the whole thing being so heavy that guests need to be rolled away. Challenging but doable.
Starting Things Off for the Cheese Day Dinner Party
We started things off with a few appetizers and dips. To get the Cheese Day theme going, we started with some Crustless Broccoli and Blue Cheese Mini Quiches, Instant Pot Artichoke Dip with red bell pepper dippers, Keto Cheese Bread, and sharp cheddar cheese cubes served alongside some sliced strawberries and blueberries. While my original intent was to make cute little mini kebabs with the cheddar and berries, time ran away from me.
For a little balance on the non-cheesy side, the appetizer list also included some very tasty Spicy Chicken Skewers (curry and cayenne) brought by a guest as well as some Harissa Veggie Dip (see below for my simple instructions).
When it came to the wine pairing for both appetizers and the main meal, we needed something that would hold its own and complement the strong flavors and richness of the cheeses. In that vein, we chose two cabernet francs from different producers but the same year and served them side-by-side for our guests.
Getting into the Main Meal
While we most definitely weren’t starving after that round of appetizers, there was more cheese to be had, so here we go. As with the wine, for the entrée I really wanted a protein that would be complementary to the various cheeses while still able to let its own flavor shine through. So . . . I went with my Savory Spiced Beef Roast. This dish (the way I made it this time and usually do) has the added advantage of being seared, seasoned, and sliced before being cooked sous vide. This means that when it’s time to serve it, literally all you have to do is open the bag and place the meat on a serving dish. We served this with the jus on the side as well as a Blue Cheese Drizzle to add a cheesy option.
For sides, I went with one light and not cheesy, one light with the option of cheese, and one very cheesy. My attempt to lighten things up a bit came in the form of a Poblano Tomato Gazpacho. Then my “compromise” side was some tasty Garlic Roasted Broccolini with the optional side of Goat Cheese Drizzle. The over-the-top cheesy one was a decadent Chayote Squash Au Gratin to which we added some freshly ground nutmeg.
Finishing Off my Cheese Day Dinner Party Menu
Finally, let me tell you about dessert. Yes, I managed to work cheese into this as well via an absolutely luscious Blueberry Mascarpone Frosting.
By the time I got to frosting the cake, I’d annihilated all available counter space and most of the table too. I didn’t have a spinnable cake stand or cardboard cake rounds. Yeah . . . not the most prepared I’ve been in my life. I’m pretty sure I left a trail of frosting everywhere I touched. It was a sight.
That all said, this Keto Blueberry Spice Cake with Blueberry Mascarpone Frosting should really make an appearance at your next party. I’m in love with the flavor of both the cake and the frosting, but especially the frosting.
Check out the recipes, pick some or all, and treat your friends and yourself to some cheesy deliciousness!
The Details
Number of People: 7
Serving Style: Appetizers on Table, Dinner Buffet Style, Dessert Self-serve
Guest Arrival Time: 7:00 pm-ish
The Menu
Appetizers
Spicy Chicken Skewers (Brought by a Guest) – These were quite tasty, spiced with a blend of curry and a pinch of cayenne.
Assortment of Sharp Cheddar Cubes, Sliced Strawberries, and Blueberries – While I did not grab a photo of this part of the appetizer, it’s exactly as it sounds. I cut some sharp white cheddar into ~1/2-inch cubes, hulled and sliced some strawberries, and added a bowl of blueberries. In my original idea, I was going to make cute little kebabs with these 3 ingredients. However, I ran out of time and so just put them out in serving bowls.
Crustless Broccoli and Blue Cheese Mini Quiches with a Blue Cheese Drizzle
With this Crustless Broccoli and Blue Cheese Quiche, you have options. For appetizers, these mini quiches make the perfect bites. If you’d prefer to have it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or as a side, you can just make it in regular pie plates. When serving warm, I like this with the Blue Cheese Drizzle. That said, it’s also delicious cold or at room temp.
Harissa Veggie Dip with Red Bell Pepper Dippers
To make this dip, I just made use of the pulp that I strained out of the gazpacho (see below). That would be the pulp from a combination of tomatoes, poblanos, cucumber, onion, and garlic. To this mixture, I added 5 ounces (about a half jar) of Harissa Sauce and stirred to combine.
This Keto Cheese Bread makes a great side or ingredient. For a fun twist, I suggest adding some garlic powder or Old Bay.
Instant Pot Artichoke Dip with Red Bell Pepper Dippers
I think this is one of the first keto party recipes we made for our friends many years ago. It’s delicious, super easy to make, and requires very minimal prep, making it a perfect addition when you’ve got a full menu roster.
Entrée
Savory Spiced Beef Roast (Serve with the option of the Blue Cheese Drizzle on the side)
For this dinner party, I needed an entrée that would stand up to the many forms of cheese. This Savory Spiced Beef Roast fit the bill with its well-balanced flavor. In keeping with the cheese theme, I served it with the same Blue Cheese Drizzle that I would also recommend with the mini quiches above. However, it truly is optional. The beef can hold its own just fine.
Sides
Garlic Roasted Broccolini with a Goat Cheese Drizzle
I opted for this broccolini to be flavorfully roasted on its own and served with the option of the Goat Cheese Drizzle. In the event that you have any guests avoiding dairy, keeping it on the side gives everyone choices.
The original version of this Best Gazpacho has made many an appearance at my dinner parties over the years. This time around, I swapped out the Anaheim pepper for 2 poblanos. It was actually a slightly more mellow flavor. Both versions are delicious; you can’t go wrong. However, as an important note: When you strain out the pulp, save it to use for the Harissa Veggie Dip as noted above.
If you haven’t tried chayote squash, I really think you should. To add a little flavor depth, we added some freshly grated nutmeg to this dish before baking.
Desserts
Keto Blueberry Spice Cake with Blueberry Mascarpone Frosting
While I don’t normally default to layered cakes, I wanted as much of the Blueberry Mascarpone Frosting as I could get. (I’m a frosting fiend.) So . . . this very tasty Keto Blueberry Spice Cake is layered.
Wine Pairing Suggestions
- Peju Province Winery Chardonnay (2020)
- Louis M. Martini Cabernet Franc Monte Rosso (2018)
- Sequoia Grove Cabernet Franc (2018)
Recipes for a Cheese Day Dinner Party
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