Bacon Olive Cheese Ball Food

THE ULTIMATE BACON RANCH CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• To a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream (if using), ranch seasoning, garlic powder, minced onion, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined with a rubber spatula.
• Add 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, all of the pepper jack cheese, half of the bacon, and half the green onions. Stir until mixed.
• Lay out a large sheet of plastic wrap and drop cream cheese mixture onto it. Cover tightly on all sides, and shape into a ball shape. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight, until firm.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, remaining bacon and green onions to a small mixing bowl. Add in poppy seeds and refrigerate alongside the cheese ball.
• Before rolling the cheese ball, add pecans and stir well.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spread out the outer coating in an even layer.
• Remove plastic wrap and roll cheese ball in coating, making sure all sides are coated. You may have to pick up some of the coating and press it so it sticks.
• Serve immediately, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

THE INFAMOUS BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Transfer the chilled cream cheese mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to form the mixture into a ball - this will be a little messy, so just be patient & keep working until it comes together! Roll the ball in the bacon & cheddar mixture from Step 1, coating the entire surface with shredded cheese & crumbled bacon.

NAME THIS DISH CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to crisp but still pliable, about 5 minutes. Remove 1 slice to a paper towel-lined plate. Continue cooking the remaining bacon until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 more minutes; remove to the plate. Halve the slice of less-cooked bacon lengthwise. Finely chop the remaining bacon.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the cheddar, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, a pinch of salt and the chopped bacon; beat until combined. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Form the cheese mixture into 3 balls (about 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches and 3 inches). Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, freeze the Monterey jack cheese 1 hour (this will make it less clumpy when grated). Grate the cheese on the small holes of a box grater. Gently press all over the cheese balls to coat completely. Put the 3-inch cheese ball on a small serving plate; insert a 4-inch wooden skewer into the middle. Stack the 2 1/2-inch and 2-inch balls on top, securing on the skewer.
• Press the currants into the top cheese ball for eyes; add a carrot nose. Use the halved bacon to make a scarf and add rosemary sprigs for arms. Place the pretzel crisp on top for a hat brim. Cut off about one-third of the olive so that it sits flat; place on top of the pretzel crisp for the hat. Serve with more pretzel crisps.

BACON-OLIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In food processor, chop the olives and pimentos. Put into a bowl and set aside.
• Place the cream cheese, onion powder and cajun seasoning into the food processor and process until creamy. Remove to a mixing bowl.
• Add the olives, bacon pieces, and shredded cheese to the cream cheese mixture. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a spoon. Form mixture into a ball. (It may be too soft to make the ball at this point, but do the best you can. You will be able to handle it better after the next step)
• Wrap the "ball" in a sheet of wax paper and put into the freezer for approx 20 minutes.
• Remove the ball from the freezer, reshape the ball and roll in pecan pieces until covered. Refrigerate in airtight container. Remove from refrigerator approx 1 hour before serving. Serve with Club, Ritz, or your favorite cracker.

OLIVE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine cheese, butter, flour and cayenne with a fork until a dough-like form forms. Scoop up a tablespoon of the dough and enclose one olive with dough. Roll into a ball and place on baking sheet. Repeat process using up remaining dough. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

OLIVE-CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Stir together cheese and flour in large bowl. Stir in butter thoroughly. (If dough seems dry, work with hands.)
• Mold 1 teaspoon dough around each olive; shape into ball. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown.

BACON CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix all items together except the additional 1 cup of cheddar cheese that you will use to roll the ball inches.
• With a spoon pull mixture toward middle of the bowl and try to form a ball.
• Then cover and place in refrigerator until chilled and firm.
• After it has chilled, it will be easier to work with.
• Roll the cheese mixture into a ball and roll in additional cup of grated cheddar cheese.
• Roll until all sides are coated and press the cheese into the ball.