Layered Cheese Torta with Basil, Chives and Herbs

Description
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Source: With Love from Darling's Kitchen

Ingredients

 * ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
 * 2 cups grated Swiss cheese (8 oz)
 * 2 to 3 tbsp finely chopped chives
 * 1 pkg. cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
 * ½ tbsp sweet basil flakes
 * ¼ tbsp oregano flakes
 * ⅛ tbsp garlic powder
 * 2 sprinkle cayenne pepper (just a pinch)
 * ¼ cup pine nuts (optional, but recommended)

Directions

 * 1) Beat butter until creamy.
 * 2) Beat in Swiss cheese and chopped chives and beat until thoroughly blended.
 * 3) Set aside.
 * 4) In another bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy.
 * 5) Beat in the remaining ingredients until blended.
 * 6) Line a 2 cups mold (without a hole in the center) with plastic wrap.
 * 7) Now layer evenly half the Swiss cheese mixture and half the cream cheese mixture, using a piece of plastic wrap to help you press the mixture into the designs of the mold.
 * 8) Repeat layers.
 * 9) Cover top with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
 * 10) To unmold, remove plastic cover, invert onto a serving platter and carefully peel off plastic lining.
 * 11) Sound like a whole production, but lining the mold with plastic wrap, makes unmolding incredibly simple.
 * 12) Decorate top with fresh minced chives and surround with lemon slices.
 * 13) Serve with gland soda crackers, or thin slices of crusty Italian bread.
 * 14) Serves 8 as an appetizer.