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A ceramic bowl of a French cheese spread known as Cervelle de Canut made with cheese, cream, shallots and herbs - served with a baguette.

Cheese Spread Recipe (Cervelle de Canut)

Jill Colonna
A fresh French cheese spread recipe from Lyon. Translated as 'Silk Weaver's Brain', this fun name is instead just a light, spreadable cheese with fresh herbs, shallots and faisselle or ricotta.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course aperitif, Appetizer, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine French
Servings 6 people
Calories 230 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g (8oz/ 1 cup) fromage blanc 'faisselle' or ricotta cheese
  • 45 ml (3 tbsp) dry white wine optional
  • 45 ml (3 tbsp) white wine vinegar
  • 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil or canola oil
  • 150 ml (5 fl oz/ ¼ pint) whipping or heavy cream (30% fat) well chilled
  • ½ tsp each fleur de sel and ground black pepper
  • 2 large shallots finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chervil (tarragon or dill) finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • If using Faisselle, first drain it using a sieve to extract the extra liquid (no need if using ricotta). In a large bowl, mash the cheese with a fork and add the oil, vinegar and oil. Add the white wine, if using or keep it to serve with it...
  • Whip the chilled cream to stiff peaks and using a spatula, fold into the cheese mixture. Add the shallots and herbs. Stir in well and add salt and black pepper to your taste.
    Chill for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.

Notes

Ingredients: Increase your favourite herb above, replace a shallot with finely chopped garlic, or reduce the cream, for example. It all depends on the season and your mood.
Faisselle can be replaced by either ricotta or cottage cheese.
Serve with bread, toast or crackers. Also delicious as a cheese dip with crudités, spooned on potatoes - even an open sandwich spread with radishes and cucumber.
For an apéritif, it goes well with a chilled white Burgundy such as a Mâcon or a white Beaujolais, the more local wines around Lyon.
Make-Ahead: This can be made in advance the day before - great for entertaining. Cover in the fridge until ready to serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal
Keyword cervelle de canut, cheese spread, cheese spread recipe, French cheese dip, spreadable cheese
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