Cheese and Paprika Spread with Capers and Anchovies (Austrian Liptuaer)

Liptuaer cheese is a popular cheese spread served in many taverns throughout Austria’s wine and beer growing regions and has a unique flavour that many crave after trying. Liptauer is a delicious cheese spread made by mixing soft cheese with paprika, onions, capers and chives. This cheese spread gets better with time, an easy, make ahead recipe for your next cocktail party. It is a unique take on a party dip and is best served with crackers rye bread, black bread, crackers, or vegetables.

8 oz smooth Farmers Cheese or 6 oz cream cheese + ¼ softened butter
1 tsp. sweet paprika
1 Tbsp. capers, drained and finely chopped
1 Tbsp. anchovy paste or 2 fillets, rinsed dried and minced
1 shallot, minced
½ tsp. caraway seeds
sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground

To Serve:
pretzels, vegetables, rye bread, black bread, or crackers

Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy.

Use a rubber spatula to mix in the rest of the ingredients.

Enjoy with pretzels, vegetables, rye bread, black bread, or crackers.

Makes 8 servings.

Cook's Notes:

• Cheese: Quark cheese is the common choice in Austria. If you can find it, use that. If not, cream cheese is a great and easily-locatable substitute. I can sometimes find quark at Whole Foods. If you use quark cheese, the texture may appear a little thinner.
• Paprika: Use spicy paprika if you want a spicy dip or sweet paprika if you want a sweeter spread. Both are used in Austria.
• This dip pairs well with white or red wine.