Recipe: Cheese Spread with Raspberry Salsa #2

Friday night, Judson (Grocery Manager) asked me to sample out Robert Rothschild Farms Raspberry Salsa.  Fresh Market was doing a reset and this was a "last chance" item.  I went home to see if I had any recipes which used this product and found my recipe for Cheese Spread with Raspberry Salsa.  This was perfect, since it was a customer favorite.  However, when I arrived at the store Saturday, I was not in the mood to do a repeat recipe and decided to "play with my food".  The end result ... customer comments of "DELICIOUS!" and I SOLD OUT of Raspberry Salsa.  In fact, could have sold  more Raspberry Salsa if I had it.  Here's the recipe:

Cheese Spread with Raspberry Salsa #2
1 lb. NY Sharp Cheddar, shredded
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 oz. HOT Hatch Diced Green Chilies
¼ c. diced red onion
½ c. mayonnaise
1 jar Robert Rothschild Farms Raspberry Salsa
Pretzel Crisps, tortilla chips, or crackers

In a mixing bowl, add Cheddar, cream cheese, chilies, onion and mayonnaise.  Mix until thoroughly blended.  Place on a serving dish.  Top with salsa.  Serve with Pretzel Crisps, tortilla chips or crackers.

I decided on HOT Hatch chilies because I was hoping for a little bit of heat to offset the smoky sweet flavor of the salsa, plus I knew all the dairy in this recipe would tone down the chilies.  Hence, I did not want to use MILD chilies.  The dairy did in fact tone down the heat, but more than I anticipated.  If you want the heat of the chilies to come thru, prepare this recipe (without the salsa) the night before so flavors can blend.  Otherwise, add Texas Pete or Tabasco sauce to taste.  OR, prepare the night before and use hot sauce.

The Fresh Market no longer sells Robert Rothschild Farms Raspberry Salsa.  To purchase this product I suggest checking in Kroger or Southern Season as they sell Robert Rothschild products. In fact, Robert Rothschild Farms has a Raspberry Chipotle Salsa.  Wouldn't that be delicious on this cheese spread?  If TFM is getting this product in, it's guaranteed I'll sample it out.