This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
A Christmas gift to you, dear friends of The Café ............one of our all-time favorite recipes for a savory yummy treat with a sweet memory.
When we were young, starry-eyed lovers we often picked up a good loaf of bread, some fresh fruit, a bottle of wine and a small carton of velvety smooth, garlic-herb cheese spread (a huge splurge for us back then!) - we'd hike for hours into a state park or national forest looking for the perfect spot, perhaps in the midst of a shady grove of trees or near a sparkling clear bubbling brook, to set up our humble, yet gourmet picnic. We'd spend the next hour or so enjoying each other's company along with God's incredibly beautiful creation.
We've crossed a lot of rivers and traveled many miles since those early days, but a number of things remain the same; we're as much (more! - photographer/editor's note) in love now than we were back then (though not so starry-eyed and definitely not so young!), we still enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors and the delicious garlic-herbed French cheese spread, familiar to many as Boursin, Allouette or Rondelé is still a special treat for us. We love it with crackers and crostini, but also as a spread for sandwiches, tucked into savory tarts and pastries and melting on fresh grilled hamburgers.
A number of years ago I found a recipe for a delicious spread that's similar, but even better (to us) than the original, and for a fraction of the price. It's made with cream cheese, sweet cream butter, fresh garlic and a variety of delicious herbs all whipped together and allowed to meld into this fabulous Provencal Herb Cheese Spread. You probably have all the ingredients you need, so why not put together a batch of this today? Maybe even a double batch! - and you'll be thrilled, when guests visit over the holidays, to pull out a platter with this yummy spread and a pile of crostini or perhaps a batch of Cheddar Poppy Seed Crackers (yesterday's recipe)!
Scott and I will be taking a break till after Christmas to enjoy family, friends and to focus on celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ who is our hope, joy, strength and to whom we owe everything! We wish you all a most blessed holiday!
P.S. Check out the wonderful helpers I've had assisting me with holiday baking, cooking and celebrating............ Annie and Ellie my sweet granddaughters, visiting from London. As you can see from their faces, they bring us great joy and .............. one laugh after another - there's never a dull moment when they're around!
You'll probably never believe this, but they have just a wee bit of shenanigans up their sleeves! 🙂
Provencal Herb-Garlic Cheese Spread
1 clove fresh garlic
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried dill
¼ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1. Add garlic to the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped, stopping once to scrape down sides.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth, stopping twice to scrape down sides.
3. Can be frozen up to 3 months or refrigerated for as long as 1 week.
I put it in a freezer zip-lock bag with a large piping tip, before refrigerating, and piped it into a small serving dish for the swirly presentation.
Adapted from Food.com
PRINTABLE RECIPE
- spoonstories- says
Merry Christmas to all...your spread is georgeous with the little Poppy Seed Crackers Angels!!
Susan says
Chris, here's my blog post with links back to you! Thank you, again! Our families loved these!
http://www.createamazingmeals.com/2011/12/chris-provencal-garlic-herb-cheese.html
sophiesfoodiefiles says
Your grand -daughters are 2 cuties! They are having fun in the kitchen with grand ma!
Your spread is a beautiful & tasty one!
Georgous presented too! 🙂
mia maria says
Your granddaughters are so cute! Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!
Shu Han says
sounds yum! I love garlic herb cream cheese spread too! I make my own sometimes when I have time, but in a cheater method, yogurt cheese I call it. blogged about it before but with really bad photos so no one probably thinks it worth making, but it's delicious all the same! your photos are stunning! have a merry xmas and happy new year!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Susan, thanks for letting me know - I'm so glad these turned out so well for you and that everyone enjoyed them!
Susan says
Chris, I made this cheese with and the crackers for my dad & step-mother last night & will be taking them to my sister-in-law's for Christmas. I made the crackers with Parmesan Cheese and they disappeared! Thanks for the recipes & inspiration!
Merry Christmas!
Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says
Have a very Merry Christmas with your family! I love the matching chef hats on your two helpers!
Veronica says
I do have all the ingredients! But they are all slated for other uses, so I will have to save this one for future! It's so simple! You said you use "sweet cream" butter, so I was wondering if it seems salty enough from the cheese without any added. Have a blessed Christmas!
Eri says
Oh my God, what beautiful helpers that you have!!!
Merry Christmas Chris, have fun and enjoy the holidays!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Your story made me smile - I only hope I can tell a similar story in years to come.
What gorgeous grandchildren you have! Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the time with your family.
It's been great 'meeting' you this year and I look forward to everything that 2012 will bring!
Christiane Potts says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your granddaughters are so gorgeous. Yes, I fully expect shenanigans when I look at the gleam in their eyes!
Hubby and I have done the same thing over the years so I was smiling at your description. We have a picnic backpack just for such hikes. Of course, now one of the wine glasses is filled with juice or Koolaid, but that's just fine.
I'm printing this recipe and making up a batch today. I love this kind of cheese, very, very much.
Many thanks for sharing the recipe as well as your life over this past year. It's been a pleasure getting to know you. In 2012 let's plan on meeting for real, ok?
MEEMAW says
Chris I love that you do this inspiration thoughts now, I am so blessed by each one. I know that there is so much fun at the Cafe with these little girls and their Mommy and Daddy there. May you all have a wonderful celebration of the birth of our Savior. Much love and hugs to all of you.
bellini says
I was putting together a cheese tray for the kidlets when they come for New years. I think you have hit the nail on the head with this Boursin-type spread.
Sandra says
Thank you Chris. I have enjoyed getting to know you this year. Sending you and your family tons of bright wishes for a Healthy and Blessed New year!
Lisa in Indianapolis says
Merry Christmas to you, Chris and your family. I'm sure you and your husband are savoring every moment of your granddaughters' visit. They are so cute; I bet they have adorable little English accents. And so serious as they help you in the kitchen. Thank you for the yummy recipe. I will definitely make this for one of my contributions to our Christmas dinner!