Limited Edition Foods

Each year the Mozzarella Company of Dallas makes these festive rounds of spicy spreadable cheese for the holiday season.  Seasoned with chilis and topped with jalapenos, the cheeses are called Christmas Cheese and have become immensely popular for parties and holiday gatherings.  The cheese can also be used for appetizers, so for a recipe suggestion from the Mozzarella Company click below.

Paquitos de Navidad (Holiday Packages)

8 sheets 12-inch by 8-inch phyllo dough
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 Christmas Cheese, 9 ounces
6 sprigs cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Prepare a nonstick baking sheet by brushing it lightly with olive oil or covering it with parchment paper brushed with olive oil.

Prepare a work surface by placing a stack of phyllo off to one side and covering it with a damp dish towel. Pour the melted butter into a small bowl and place it nearby. Remove a sheet of phyllo from the stack and lay it on a dry work surface. Keep the unused stack of phyllo covered with the damp towel. Brush the single sheet lightly and quickly with some of the melted butter. Place a second sheet of phyllo on top of the first sheet and brush it will butter. Repeat with the remaining third sheet. Then place the fourth sheet on top and gently press out the air pockets in the stacked phyllo. Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut the dough into six 4-inch squares.

Cut the Christmas Cheese into 12 wedges and place one on top of each square of phyllo, in the center of the square at an angle. Fold the bottom flap of the phyllo up over the cheese, then fold the sides over the cheese, and then roll the phyllo over to enclose the cheese and form little packets. Place the seam side down on a non-stick baking sheet (or alternatively, a baking sheet lined with buttered parchment paper.) Repeat the process using the remaining phyllo sheets and Christmas Cheese. Brush the packets with the remaining butter. With a sharp knife, make tiny slits in the top of each packet. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pastry is light golden brown. Makes 12 packets. Place the Paquitos on a tray and garnish with the cilantro sprigs. Serve immediately, while warm.