Artisan Cheeses with Fruit Salsa

Ingredients

2 tart green and red apples, cored and chopped
Juice of 2 medium limes, divided
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoons honey
6 thick-cut bacon strips, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
8 ounces Keystone Butterkase cheese
8 ounces Keystone 2 Year Aged Sharp Cheddar cheese
Oat crackers

Instructions

1 Toss apples with half of the lime juice in a large bowl. Add the strawberries, cilantro, dried cherries and jalapeno; toss to coat.
2 Whisk honey and remaining lime juice in a bowl. Drizzle over salsa; toss to coat. Stir in bacon and walnuts.
3 Cut butterkase and cheddar into triangles or rectangles, each slice about 1/4-inch thick. Place a glass (about 3-inches diameter) in the center of a large serving bowl or platter. Arrange butterkase and cheddar upright around the glass. Remove the glass. Spoon salsa into the middle of cheese ring. Serve with oat crackers.

Recipe Tips

- If cheese is cut into rectangles, place cheese upright on the long side with the short side towards the glass.
- Avoid touching face when handling jalapeno peppers. Consider wearing gloves, as oils may burn skin.

Cheesemonger Tip

Butterkäse means “butter cheese” and has a creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor. It's a perfectly yummy melting cheese, yet sophisticated enough to serve as an appetizer with a fine wine—need we say more?