We’re winding down at work, but just getting started for the holidays. Our plans to spend a few days away in New York fell through; but we’ve decided to do something we’ve not done before, we will be sampling a different restaurant every day, and I’ll be blogging about it. We will alternate with Lunch and Dinner each day — I’m actually very excited about it. Plus one day I’m going to treck out to Gilda’s a huge kitchen store in Mississauga (like a kid in a candy store).
My blogging buddy Ann at Cooking Healthy for me posted this recipe the other day and as soon as I read it, I knew it was for me! I could not resist the cheesiness that she expounded. It was like cheese on steroids, super cheese, super duper cheese…well, you get the gist!
Since I wasn’t familiar with the brand that I’m sure she was duplicating, I decided to make my crackers out of scalloped rounds and squares. They shrunk quite a bit but it didn’t bother me because they sure are cheesy (started out about 1.25″ and ended about the size of a gold fish, yes that other cheesy goodness). Although they have no egg or any kind of leavening, they puff up quite a bit, and they don’t fall back down! Other than making sure you don’t overbake them, you really need not worry about them … well, with the exception of “evaporation” (you know, the same “evaporation” that affected my block chocolate?)
I can only say, THANK YOU Ann. I am definitely adding this recipe to my appetizer/snack repertoire. They are sure to be a family favourite for years to come. Cheez-itz Recipe.
If you get a chance, check out Katherine’s recipe at Rufus’ Food and Spirit, she whipped up an amazing peppercorn martini that would be divine with these little bites.
[…] bring ‘treats’ for the kids (and adults alike). This year’s treats included the Cheez-itz from my friend Ann (who no longer blogs), Hungarian Donkey Ear Cookies and a more recent addition […]
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My girls would eat all of these is about 5 minutes. I MUST make these! With no ballet or other activities this morning, I’m catching up on my blog surfing and I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I’ll have one of those, and three of that one! If only I could reach out and try one!
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I’ve missed you in the blogosphere (new word for me!). And we are certainly looking forward to seeing you tonight. I’m bringing a small pile of the Cheez-itz 😉
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Hi Eva, I found your blog through Charles and I am so happy that I did. Have a Merry Christmas.
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Thanks for stopping by Karen, glad you found me. I LOVE your kitchen, of course, you’re probably sick of hearing that. I’ll be checking out your other posts over the holidays. Merry Christmas to you too!
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That swimming shark looks fun!
I love those cheesy bites too.
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Thank you kindly, Angie. The shark is a lot of fun…I’ve been
playingpracticing!LikeLike
Oooh all of that delicious cheese! I love the sound of these! Merry Christmas to you and your friends and family Eva! 🙂
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Thank you so much Lorraine, I am indeed flattered that you read my blog; I am truly enjoying reading your blog. Merry Christmas to you and your friends and family as well.
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Eva – this is SO cool that you made this today! I’m thrilled that you liked them! It’s amazing how delicious they are, isn’t it? Thank you for such a lovely post and you just made my day!
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Thanks Ann, I just couldn’t resist! I’m going to make them again (they seem to be evaporating and I need them for tomorrow night and the following night ;-). I’m going to change up the cheese for a different variation!
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I love cheese and spent almost $25 on cheese last weekend at the city market. 🙂 I think these are the ones that she was copying.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheez-It
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Thanks for the link Maria, I guess I was too lazy to look them up ;-). I like the idea of home made so you can control everything! I’m not sure if you have a Costco up your way, but I must say that they are slowly getting a very gourmet selection of cheeses; last week, we picked up a decent sized Gorgonzola for $4.99 (I would easily pay $6.99 at no frills for the same thing) and they regularly have St. André (also a great deal) and sometimes Époisse (also a triple cream but so worth it — I’ve paid $25 at The Cheese Boutique in Toronto, Costco had it for $12.99 — EXACTLY the same thing). We regularly buy the Gruyère and Jarlsberg there – twice as much as the grocery store for about the same price! Sadly the Parmesan is not better priced!
Oh and the goats cheese is a great deal — I usually cut it into fourths and freeze, they freeze VERY WELL.
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I was curious which is why **I** looked them up, Eva. With all the baking etc you’re doing, I can understand why you didn’t have the free time to spend doing it. 🙂
We have a very good Costco about 30 min away but I am usually overwhelmed by my bill (never less than $100 not counting my bp meds), so I rarely let myself get tempted by the cheese or baked goods.
By the way, the only Christmas baking I did this year is some sugar cookies for my nephew today and after I made the dough he did the cutting of the gingerbread men and women and Christmas tree and then I baked them off. The cookies were tasty but I’ll try one of the other recipes I have next time/year. I’m going to roll out the remaining dough tomorrow and keep the results, which is my ‘cook’s treat’.
Cheese souffle for one tomorrow, I think.
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Hi Maria, I am always surprised by the bill at Costco as well, which is why we only go once every couple of months, or if I need a prescription (less than $3 for the fee compared to $11.99 at SDM!) or a book! The blogging takes up quite a bit of time too, but I love it! Merry Christmas; wish I could sample your cheese souffle ;-)!
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These sound wonderful, Eva. So much cheese in such nice pillows. YUM!
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A cocktail to go with it John, and it would be perfect!
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Wow Eva – are they really home-made? I want to call shenanigans and ask which packet you got them out of… they look so perfect! 😀 Seriously though – they look fabulous. They remind me of something my wife made once although her’s weren’t quite so perfectly shaped and golden!
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Thank you kindly Charles, that is indeed a lovely compliment. I’ve always said “the right tools” is the secret to success! They are pretty tasty — I think you would like them. Next batch, I may try with a different cheese to shake up the flavour a bit!
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LOL! I love the shark bit! You should do that with some goldfish crackers too. 😉 These do look like ultimate cheesy goodness and I love a good cheese laden appetizer. I’m looking forward to your restaurant visits! 🙂
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Thanks Kristy, I’ll have to find a little fish cookie cutter. I like this recipe because it doesn’t have a lot of butter like most (I know, cheese has fat too, but at least it also brings flavour to the table!). I just hope I don’t pack on the pounds too much!
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You are right. That is a lot of cheese! Who brought the uninvited guest? He looks like one of the characters in Finding Nemo. Good luck wading through all the restaurants – that sounds a lot of fun.
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I think he is one of the characters in finding Nemo, because the other fish they have is a clown fish (they just can’t advertise that it is because of copyright laws!) If you like cheese, then these are for you! I’m really looking forward to broadening our taste of Toronto!
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Aww, thanks Eva. I want that shark!
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Thanks Katherine, I was
playingpracticing last night and it is a bunch of fun. I just wish they made it about 80% the size, it’s a bit big in our home.LikeLike