Marinated Edam Cheese with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

In this Liberian adaptation, the traditional Norwegian marinade for Edam cheese is enhanced with the addition of a spicy peanut sauce. The marinade is infused with Liberian spices and flavors, giving the cheese a unique twist. The spicy peanut sauce adds a rich and creamy element, creating a fusion of Norwegian and Liberian culinary traditions. We alse have the original recipe for Marinert Edamerost, so you can check it out.

• 250g (8.8 oz) Edam cheese 250g (8.8 oz) Edam cheese
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) roasted peanuts 1/4 cup (60g) roasted peanuts
• 2 cloves garlic 2 cloves garlic
• 1 small onion, chopped 1 small onion, chopped
• 1-2 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped 1-2 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1170 KJ
• Fat: 23g (Saturated Fat: 6g)
• Carbohydrates: 8g (Sugar: 4g)
• Protein: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cut the Edam cheese into bite-sized cubes and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, white vinegar, paprika, black pepper, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
3. 3.
   Place the Edam cheese cubes in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Make sure all the cheese cubes are coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. 4.
   Meanwhile, prepare the spicy peanut sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted peanuts, garlic, onion, chili peppers, tomato paste, vegetable oil, water, honey or brown sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.
5. 5.
   Transfer the peanut sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
6. 6.
   Remove the marinated Edam cheese from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.
7. 7.
   Serve the marinated Edam cheese with the warm spicy peanut sauce on the side for dipping.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Edam cheese — Make sure to choose a high-quality Edam cheese with a creamy and slightly nutty flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, you can opt for young Edam cheese.
• Roasted peanuts — For a deeper flavor, use roasted peanuts instead of raw ones. You can roast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until they turn golden brown, or use pre-roasted peanuts.
• Red chili peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference. If you prefer a milder sauce, use only one chili pepper or remove the seeds before chopping.

Tips & Tricks

• If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to the marinade, you can include a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
• For a creamier peanut sauce, you can add a tablespoon of coconut milk or cream.
• If you don't have roasted peanuts, you can use peanut butter instead. Simply reduce the amount of water in the sauce and add peanut butter to achieve the desired consistency.
• Serve the marinated Edam cheese with crusty bread or crackers for a complete appetizer experience.
• The spicy peanut sauce can also be used as a dip for vegetables or as a dressing for salads.

Serving advice

Serve the marinated Edam cheese with the spicy peanut sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for a pop of color. This appetizer is best enjoyed at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Presentation advice

Arrange the marinated Edam cheese cubes on a platter and place a small bowl of the spicy peanut sauce in the center. You can also drizzle some extra sauce over the cheese cubes for an attractive presentation. Serve with toothpicks or small forks for easy serving.