Savory Ina Garten Coeur a la Creme Recipe for Any Day

Coeur à la crème represents a luxurious French-inspired delicacy that embodies culinary elegance and sophisticated simplicity.

Soft, velvety textures mingle with bright, fresh ingredients in this classic appetizer that feels simultaneously indulgent and light.

Delicate and creamy, the dish transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary through careful preparation and thoughtful balance.

Cream cheese serves as the foundational element, creating a smooth canvas for complementary flavors.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate its nuanced approach to blending tangy and rich elements.

Your guests will marvel at how such basic ingredients can create such an impressive presentation.

The magic lies in its understated complexity and effortless charm: gather your ingredients and prepare to dazzle.

Why Savory Coeur à la Crème Is So Unexpectedly Elegant

• Craft Creamy Elegance: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, silky-smooth appetizer that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience right in your own kitchen.
• Zesty Flavor Burst: The combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper creates a bright, tangy profile that elevates the rich cream cheese base, making each bite a delightful taste sensation.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Impression: With just a few steps and minimal cooking required, this recipe allows home cooks to create an impressive dish that looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare, perfect for entertaining or special occasions.
• Versatile Serving Delight: Served chilled with crackers and a vibrant chutney, this coeur à la crème becomes an instant crowd-pleaser that works beautifully as an appetizer, light lunch, or sophisticated party snack.

What You’ll Need for Ina’s Savory Coeur à la Crème

Main Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base that provides rich, creamy texture and supports the overall structure of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds smoothness and helps create a light, airy texture for the cream cheese mixture.

• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness and add a fresh, zesty flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste of the crème.

• Cheesecloth: Crucial for draining and shaping the crème, allowing excess liquid to separate.
• Chutney: Sweet and tangy condiment that complements the creamy texture and adds a flavor contrast.
• Crackers: Crisp accompaniment that provides a textural contrast to the smooth crème.

How to Prepare Savory Coeur à la Crème the Fancy Way

Step 1: Whip the Cream Cheese

Grab your electric mixer with a whisk attachment. Whip the cream cheese on high speed until it becomes silky smooth and free of lumps. This is your flavor foundation!

Step 2: Blend Creamy Ingredients

• Heavy cream
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Whisk everything until the mixture becomes firm and luxurious.

Step 3: Prepare the Mold

Select a 6-inch coeur à la crème mold or small sieve. Layer several pieces of cheesecloth inside, allowing extra fabric to hang over the edges. This will help drain excess liquid.

Step 4: Fill and Shape

Carefully pour the cream cheese mixture into the cheesecloth-lined mold. Smooth the top with a spatula, then gently fold the overhanging cheesecloth to cover the mixture completely.

Step 5: Drain and Chill

Place the mold over a small bowl to catch liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This helps develop rich, concentrated flavors.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from refrigerator and discard any collected liquid. Carefully turn the cheese onto a serving plate. Top with chutney, letting it cascade down the sides. Serve alongside crisp crackers and a small knife for spreading.

Tips to Keep Savory Coeur à la Crème Smooth and Light

• Soften Cream Cheese Strategically: Allow cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing, ensuring a silky smooth texture without pesky lumps.
• Whip with Precision: Beat the cream cheese mixture until it becomes light, airy, and holds a firm peak, which guarantees the perfect consistency for your coeur à la crème.
• Layer Cheesecloth Carefully: Select a high-quality, tightly woven cheesecloth and fold it multiple times to create a sturdy mold that catches every delicious drop of moisture.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the dessert overnight to let the flavors meld together and develop a rich, luxurious taste that will impress your guests.
• Select Chutney Wisely: Pick a complex, well-balanced chutney like Major Grey's that offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and subtle spice to complement the creamy cheese base.

Store Coeur à la Crème With Texture Intact

• Refrigeration Method: Seal the Savory Coeur À La Crème in an airtight container to maintain its delicate texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Store in the coolest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent.
• Freezing Method: Wrap the cheese carefully in multiple layers of plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn and preserve the original creamy consistency.
• Serving Preparation Method: Remove the Coeur À La Crème from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly and enhance its rich, nuanced flavors.

Flavor Mix-Ins That Enhance Savory Coeur à la Crème

• Herbal Infusion Sensation: Swap lemon zest with chopped fresh herbs like dill, chives, or tarragon to create an aromatic, garden-fresh version of the classic crème.
• Mediterranean Olive Accent: Mix in finely chopped kalamata olives and a sprinkle of dried oregano to give the cream cheese mixture a rich, tangy Mediterranean profile.
• Smoky Pepper Blend: Incorporate finely ground smoked paprika and cracked black pepper for a robust, warming flavor that adds depth to the creamy base.
• Garlic Parmesan Punch: Blend in grated parmesan cheese and roasted garlic for a savory, umami-packed variation that elevates the traditional recipe.

Close the Crème Chapter With One Savory Spoonful

Ina Garten’s Coeur à la Crème emerges as pure culinary poetry, blending French elegance with rustic charm.

Mediterranean-inspired zest dances through creamy textures, creating sophisticated comfort on any table.

Lemon whispers bright notes against rich cream cheese, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary experience.

Chutney cascades like liquid silk, adding unexpected depth to each luxurious bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges gourmet technique with home kitchen magic.

Passionate cooks will adore sharing this delightful masterpiece – spread deliciousness, spark conversation, ignite culinary curiosity, and celebrate connection through remarkable flavor.

Ina Garten Savory Coeur A La Creme Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Savory Coeur à la Crème delivers luxurious French elegance with creamy cheese and delicate herbs. Silky cream cheese blended with fresh chives and green onions creates an elegant appetizer perfect for sophisticated gatherings and intimate dinner parties.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 (9-ounce/255 grams) jar Crosse & Blackwell Major Grey’s chutney

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Serving Suggestion:

• Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers, for serving

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Instructions

1. Whip the cream cheese in an electric mixer with a whisk attachment on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
2. Gradually incorporate heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the cream cheese while mixing on low speed, continuing until the mixture becomes thick and firm with a consistent texture.
3. Carefully line a 6-inch (15 centimeters) coeur à la crème mold or small sieve with multiple layers of cheesecloth, allowing extra fabric to hang over the edges for easy handling.
4. Transfer the cream cheese mixture into the prepared cheesecloth-lined mold, smoothing the surface evenly with a spatula to create a uniform shape.
5. Fold the overhanging cheesecloth edges gently over the top of the cream cheese mixture to completely cover the surface.
6. Position the mold over a small bowl to allow excess liquid to drain, which helps concentrate the flavors and improve the texture.
7. Cover the entire setup with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12-16 hours, allowing the crème to set and develop a rich, tangy flavor profile.
8. When ready to serve, remove the mold from the refrigerator and discard any liquid that has collected in the bowl.
9. Carefully invert the crème onto a decorative serving plate, gently peeling away the cheesecloth.
10. Generously spoon chutney over the top of the crème, letting it cascade down the sides for an elegant presentation.
11. Serve immediately with an assortment of crisp crackers and a small serving knife for guests to enjoy.

Notes

• Grab room-temperature cream cheese to ensure a silky-smooth mixture without pesky lumps.
• Whip the cream cheese blend until it reaches a light, airy consistency that holds its shape beautifully.
• Layer cheesecloth generously to create a sturdy mold that catches every delicious drop of excess liquid.
• Let the cheese mixture rest in the refrigerator overnight, allowing flavors to mingle and develop deep, rich notes.
• Select a premium chutney that brings a vibrant sweet-and-spicy punch to complement the creamy cheese base.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (1/10th of the recipe)
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 1.6 g
• Sodium: 407 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2.9 g
• Cholesterol: 67 mg