Vegetarian Liptauer Cheese

From: "The Vegetarian Epicure" by Anna Thomas, first edition 1972. This book was a real find! Serve with coarse-textured black bread, crackers, fresh veggies or pickled veggies. Also a good accompaniment to soup.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 16  ounces ricotta cheese (or a mix) or 16  ounces cottage cheese (or a mix) or 16  ounces cream cheese, softened (or a mix)
• 4  tablespoons butter, softened
• 2  teaspoons French mustard
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 1  tablespoon currants or 1  tablespoon dates, chopped
• 1 -2  tablespoon capers, rinsed
•  salt, to taste
•  fresh ground black pepper, lots to taste
• 1 -2  tablespoon black olives, chopped
•  paprika, to garnish
• 2 -3  hard-boiled eggs, sliced to garnish
• 2  tablespoons pimientos, sliced to garnish

Directions

1. Beat together cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Stir in everything up to the olives (not the garnishes). Mix well and form into a mound on a small platter.
3. Sprinkle with paprika.
4. Garnish mound with sliced hard-boiled eggs and pimento slices.
5. Chill for at least an hour.