Obatzda

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Camembert cheese – cut into pieces, at room temperature
• 4 ounces unsalted butter – softened
• 0.25 cup yellow onion – finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon caraway seeds – lightly crushed
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon white pepper – ground
• 2 tablespoons pale lager beer
• chives – finely chopped (for garnish)
• pretzels – for serving
• radishes – for serving

Instructions

1. Let the Camembert and butter sit at room temperature until soft, 15–20 minutes.
2. Finely chop the onion and lightly crush the caraway seeds; set both aside. Measure the paprika, salt, and white pepper.
3. In a medium bowl, mash the Camembert (rind on) and softened butter together with a fork until mostly smooth but still slightly rustic.
4. Stir in the onion, sweet paprika, crushed caraway, kosher salt, and white pepper until evenly colored.
5. Add the pale lager beer 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the spread is creamy but still thick and spoonable; 2 tablespoons is typical.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
7. Stir, mound into a serving bowl, sprinkle with chives, and serve with pretzels and radishes.