Boursin Cheese is wonderful. It’s rich, creamy, herbaceous, with a nice hit of garlic and best of all, it’s incredibly simple to make. In other words, it’s the holiday seasons perfect “little something special”; the little black dress of appetizers. Oh yes, did I mention that it is a perfect hostess gift? This is the version I’ve been making for years.
Almost Boursin Cheese Spread
1 lb cream cheese (you can use Neufchâtel cheese, which is lower in calories)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic (or to taste) or 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic granules
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
4 teaspoons dried chives
1 1/2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed between your fingers
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, butcher grind (or cracked pepper, if you prefer)
2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy (optional)
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt to taste
Combine the cream cheese and butter (these should both be at room temperature) in a food processor or use a mixer or combine by hand. Stir in the remaining ingredients; wrap or cover tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Return to room temperature before serving; serve as spread with water crackers.
COOK’S NOTE: If you thin the spread with some heavy cream, it’s a great sauce with chicken and/or pasta. You may also use as a filling for a dinner omelet or stir into mashed potatoes or use a good dollop on a baked potato. You may butterfly chicken breasts, smear with 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture and wrap the breasts in either prosciutto or phyllo dough, then bake until done. The final bonus–this freezes extremely well.
Almost Boursin Cheese Spread Recipe©Marcia Lahens 2014. All rights reserved.
That’s it. This is so easy to prepare I didn’t include any pictures of prep and it take maybe 10 minutes, at the most.
Goddess Cooks 