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Village Cheeseworks Atoka is a soft, small log similar in texture to a classic goat cheese. Made with cow's milk, it has a gentler, more mild flavor than goat, making it an approachable counterpoint to the sweetness of the dates and the honey roasted peanuts.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces Village Cheeseworks Atoka (2 packages), at room temperature, rinds removed (if desired)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 5 ounces bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
- 10 large dates (preferably Medjool), pitted and roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper, as needed
- Honey-roasted peanuts, crushed, to finish
- Local honey, to finish
- Firehook Sea Salt Crackers, to serve
Preparation
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Preheat the oven to 400F. In a medium bowl, stir together the Atoka cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice and a little salt and pepper.
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Spread in an even layer in a cast iron skillet. Bake until warm and bubbling, 20-25 minutes.
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As the cheese warms, cook the bacon in a medium skillet, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate and reserve the oil in the pan. Add the dates to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 minute.
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Top the baked Atoka with the dates and bacon. Drizzle with honey and serve hot with plenty of crackers and bread.
