Celebrate National Salsa Month with Salsa-
Baked Cheese. Photo courtesy
FronteraFiesta.com.

This is salsa’s answer to baked Brie: fresh goat cheese or cream cheese topped with a flavorful salsa and baked until warm. It’s from Chef Rick Bayless of FronteraFiesta.com.

Serve Salsa-Baked Cheese with Dirty Martinis, Margaritas or beer.

RECIPE: SALSA-BAKED CHEESE

Ingredients

– ¼ cup pine nuts or coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
– 8 ounces soft cream cheese or goat cheese or a combination
– 1 jar (16 ounces) of interesting salsa (suggestions:
Frontera Mango Key Lime, Roasted Tomato or Spanish Olive Salsa)
– Chopped fresh cilantro
– Crackers and/or sliced, toasted baguette

1. Toast nuts in a 350°F oven until fragrant, 7 or 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Stir in cheese. Shape into a disc and lay in an ovenproof baking dish.

3. Pour salsa over cheese and bake until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with crackers or toasted bread.

Find reviews of our favorite salsas, more recipes and our Salsa Glossary.