Apple Gruyere Spread

Here’s a fun fall snack that features beautiful green apples and nutty gruyere cheese. A great spread on hearty wheat crackers, this also makes a wonderful sandwich filling that’s particularly suited to rye bread.  In fact, those little square slices of party rye are great for an appetizer or little tea sandwiches.

This is a basic blueprint that is fabulous on its on, but feel free to stir in some pecan or walnut pieces, or some dried cranberries.

Apple Gruyere Spread

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

4 ounces of gruyere cheese, grated

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled

Beat the cream cheese until it is soft, then fold in the gruyere, mustard and chives and mix until combined.  Grate the apples with their peels and immediately add to the cream cheese mixture and fold into to completely combined.  Make sure the apples are covered by the cream cheese to prevent browning. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors blend.  The spread will keep a few days in the fridge.

Makes about 1 ½ cups