Cheddar, Sage, and Walnut Torta

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Cream cheese- softened
• 3 tb Fresh sage leaves, chopped
• Whole sage leaves
• 1/2 lb Sharp cheddar cheese
• -(such as Vermont Cabot)
• -- shredded
• 1 c Walnuts, chopped
• Whole walnut halves

Preparation:

• Place the cream cheese in a food processor with the chopped sage leaves.
• Blend.
• Line a 2-cup mold with a double thickness of cheesecloth.
• Arrange the whole sage leaves in a decorative pattern on the bottom of the mold.
• Add half the cream cheese mixture, then add shredded cheddar, smoothing out the layer and pressing it slightly.
• Add the walnuts, again pressing gently.
• Smooth the remaining cream cheese mixture over the walnuts.
• Fold the ends of the cheesecloth over the top of the torta mixture and press lightly.
• Refrigerate the mold overnight.