Salami Italian Cheese Log (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Base

01 - 16 ounces cream cheese (500g), left out until soft
02 - 1/3 cup sour cream (makes it easier to spread)
03 - 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar or any tasty cheese

→ Herbs & Seasonings

04 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or swap all herbs for 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon red pepper or chili flakes

→ Mix-ins

12 - 9 ounces roasted peppers (280g), drained and chopped small
13 - 6 ounces salami (180g), chopped small
14 - 3/4 cup green olives, chopped small
15 - 1/3 cup finely cut green onions (3-4 stalks)

→ Garnish

16 - 7 ounces sun-dried tomato strips in oil (220g), roughly cut up
17 - 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped small
18 - Fresh rosemary twigs for garnish
19 - Crackers for eating (like Ritz or Triscuits)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Lightly oil your loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap, letting the edges hang over the sides.
02 - Grab a big bowl and throw in everything except garnishes. Mix your cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, spices, shredded cheese, peppers, salami, olives, and green onions until they're all blended.
03 - Try a bit and add more salt if you want. Don't forget your crackers will bring some saltiness too.
04 - Push the mixture into your lined pan, pressing firmly to remove air bubbles. Fold the extra wrap over the top and stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
05 - Flip your cheese log onto a plate and take off the wrap. Cover the top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, sprinkle with parsley, and add rosemary twigs for a pretty look.
06 - Let it sit out a bit before guests dig in. It's way easier to spread when it's not too cold. Put out lots of crackers for everyone to scoop with.

# Additional Tips:

01 - You can make this up to a week early, great for planning ahead.
02 - If you've got spreadable cream cheese, you can skip adding sour cream
03 - Cheese you grate yourself works way better than the pre-shredded stuff