Wisconsin Gouda and Beer Spread
- 1 ball (2 pounds) Gouda cheese
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) butter, cubed and softened
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ cup amber or dark beer, at room temperature
- Cocktail rye or pumpernickel bread slices
Instructions:
This delicious cheese spread is festively served in the hollowed cheese ball.
- Cut ⅕ off the top of the cheese to create a flat surface. With a butter curler or melon baller, remove the cheese from the center of the ball, leaving a ½-inch-thick shell. Shred enough removed cheese to measure 4 cups. Reserve the remaining cheese for another use.
- In a large bowl, blend the shredded cheese, butter, chives, and mustard. Stir in the beer until blended. Spoon the spread into the hollowed cheese ball; reserve the remaining spread for refill. Chill until serving time. Serve as a spread with cocktail bread.