Maria’s Authentic Hungarian Cheese Spread
Ever since I said “I do,” this simple yet complex savory spread has been on the menu around the holidays. My husband’s grandmother, Maria, from Budapest, gave the recipe to her daughter-in-law (my mother-in-law) and she kindly shared it with me.
For a relatively short list of ingredients and simple preparation, it packs an explosion of color and layered flavors.
The uses for this spread are endless. It is bright and happy addition to any charcuterie board, a wonderful base for avocado toast and serves as a scrumptious stage for a sandwich or a baguette or bagel with smoked salmon and capers.
Ingredients
Hungarian Cheese Spread starts with softened butter and cream cheese. My mother-in-law said Maria always made it on a large plate and used a fork to mix and merge the ingredients. The creamy base is seasoned with sweet Hungarian paprika, anchovy paste, yellow mustard, minced shallots and caraway seeds.
The quality of paprika is EVERYTHING! You gotta get the real deal! Paprika from the grocery store won’t pack the same punch – both from a flavor or color perspective. I adore Penzy’s spices but tried this one and thought it was delicious.
The spread is both sweet and savory and the crunchy little caraway seeds provide a wonderful textural contrast.
After mincing the shallots and measuring out your ingredients, this spread comes together quickly and easily. My kids happily participate in combining the ingredients and watching the ingredients come together in a vibrant orange sunset color.
Once it is mixed together, I put in a serving ramekin or small bowl and sprinkle some caraway seeds on top. Cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Or, if you aren’t going to use it right away, you can put it in an airtight container until ready to use. Admittedly, it won’t last too long, but you can store it for a week to 10 days.
In addition to being delicious and easy, it feels so joyful to ensure that this vintage recipe continues to be an easily accessible part of my family’s holiday traditions.
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Maria’s Authentic Hungarian Cheese Spread
Description
This versatile and scrumptious spread provides and explosion of color and flavor and is quick and simple to prepare. It is a happy addition to any charcuterie board and a wonderful base spread for sandwiches or avocado toast.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened)
- 1 stick of unsalted butter
- 2 inches of anchovy paste
- 2 TBSP of minced onions
- 1 rounded TBSP of Hungarian Sweet red paprika (*see notes for recommended brands).
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp of caraway seeds (plus a little to optionally sprinkle on top).
Instructions
- Mince the shallots very finely and set aside.
- On a large plate and with a fork, spoon or spatula mix the softened butter and cream cheese until they are incorporated and cohesive.
- Add sweet paprika, mustard, shallots, and anchovy paste. Mix completely until the color is consistently bright orange with no streaks of yellow or white.
- Add caraway seeds and mix until incorporated.
- Using a spatula, scoop all of the spread into a small ramekin or serving bowl.
- Optionally sprinkle with caraway seeds.
- Cover with plastic wrap (or store in an airtight container) and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Pull spread out about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Matriarch Muse
Maria Langer Weisz was born in Budapest in 1899. Her family owned a cafe yet as a young girl she was more interested in books and people than learning the intricacies of classic Hungarian tortes and pastries. Later in life, she set out to learn to cook and while she may have been small in stature, she was an incredibly strong and spirited woman. She sought out and befriended some of Budapest’s best chefs and convinced them to teach her their secrets. She, her husband and two sons miraculously survived the Holocaust, and in 1958 she and her husband Aladar emigrated to Montreal, Canada. Despite the trauma she endured, her light always shined bright and she built a strong community of friendships and connections there.
She found deep pleasure in cooking and baking Hungarian specialties for her family. Well into his 90’s, her son Andrew used these words to describe her famous Sour Cherry Soup, “When she made that soup, there is nothing to which I would not confess.”
I am honored to help keep the flame of this special woman’s memory glowing through sharing some of her special recipes and food memories.
Maria
Other Maria Recipes (Coming Soon)
- Hungarian Cheese Spread
- Hungarian Scalloped Potatoes
- Chestnut Cream
- Palacsinta