Louisville's Favorite Cheese Spread - Yum, yum, yum

Keith and I lived in Louisville for a year-and-a-half.  And what a year-and-a-half it was.  My middle son, Jon, was born there.  We had an epic Kentucky Derby experience.  We bonded with our neighbors through the terror that was 9/11.  Louisville has a special place in my heart.  

While in Louisville, I was a member of the Junior League of Louisville (surprise, surprise - ha).  And, of course, JLL had a fabulous cookbook, Splendor in the Bluegrass.  One recipe that I keep going back to again and agin is Katherine Doll's Cheese Tort.  I'm not sure if she is still in business, but 15 years ago, this was a staple at every get together.  I still make it today.  First, it looks impressive....3 layers, oh my.  Second, and more importantly, it's really, really easy to make.  Here's the recipe:

Katherine Doll's Cheese Torte

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup minced baby spinach

1 1/2 Tbsp chutney

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup pecan pieces

1/4 cup chopped white onion

dash of tobacco

Combine 4 oz of cream cheese with the minced spinach in a bowl and mix well.  Sire the chutney into  the remaining cream cheese in a separate bowl.  Combine the cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pecans, onion, and Tabasco in a third bowl and mix well.

Line a 2 cup container or mold with plastic wrap.  Add half of the Cheddar cheese mixture and smooth the top.  Next spread on the spinach mixture; smooth and add the chutney mixture.  Top with the remaining Cheddar cheese mixture.  Chill, covered, 8-10 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, invert on platter and remove wrap.  Serve with assorted crackers.