Blue Cheese Spread with Spiced Walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh chèvre (goat) cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons brandy or milk
• 3 tablespoons thinly sliced chives or green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 teaspoons chili oil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3 dozen unsalted water crackers or thin apple slices

Preparation

1. 1. Beat cream cheese, blue cheese, chèvre, butter, and brandy until creamy. Stir in 2 tablespoons chives. Mound in a small, shallow dish. If making ahead, cover and chill up to 2 days.
2. 2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom.
3. 3. Pour chili oil and olive oil into an 8- to 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add walnuts. Stir often until toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add sugar and stir until it melts onto nuts, about 1 minute.
4. 4. Pour hot nuts into bowl with spices and mix to coat. If making ahead, let cool and store airtight up to 2 days.
5. 5. Sprinkle nuts and remaining 1 tablespoon chives over cheese. Spread mixture onto crackers.