Instructions: Annually, the Academy Awards provides a cozy backdrop for a casual and fun evening with friends and family.

They are on TV again this Sunday - bright lights, stars in tuxedos and elegant gowns. And each will be smiling big, as if saying ...

Cheese!

Thats where you come in, with your platter of cheesy nibbles.

These snacks are perfect for casual home entertaining. Both dishes - chili-pecan biscotti with dry jack cheese and California pepper cheese crisps - are prepare-ahead recipes that make entertaining easy. Both are featured in the rise of American artisan cheesemaking.

Each recipe features a form of the Monterey jack:

Dry jack is an aged form of Jack with a hard texture and mellow, nutty flavor.

Pepper jack is Monterey jack flavored with jalapeno peppers and can range from mild to zesty.

Chili-pecan biscotti with dry Jack cheese is a savory and playful re-interpretation of traditional Italian biscotti.

While biscotti are generally sweet and served for dessert or as a dunking accompaniment to coffee, this slightly softer version takes a savory twist.

Laced with the rich flavor of dry jack, a hint of chili and a helping of pecans, its a crunchy make-ahead appetizer ideal for entertaining.

California pepper jack cheese crisps is another great entertainer. Flaky and delicious, these crisp strips are flavored with zesty pepper jack cheese and a snap to make. Have plenty on hand because they wont last long.

For more serving ideas, go to www.RealCaliforniaCheese.com.

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