Zestypepperysweet Blue Cheese And Date Spread Or Balls Food

BLUE CHEESE WITH DATE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine blue cheese and cream cheese. Process until smooth and blended. Transfer to air-tight container and chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• Once chilled, form cheese into 6 even sized balls and roll each blue cheese ball in chopped dates. Serve cheese set on clean basil leaves. Arrange on a platter or cheese board with assorted crackers.

WARM DATES WITH BLUE CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With a small paring knife, slit each date lengthwise and spread open just enough to remove the pit while leaving the date intact. Fill the cavity of each date with a small piece of blue cheese and fold the date over the cheese, pressing it back into its original shape.
• Cut a strip of prosciutto as wide as each date is long and wrap it around twice, enclosing the date almost completely. Place the dates on a sheet pan and bake for about 8 minutes, until the prosciutto is browned and the cheese starts to melt.
• Cool slightly and serve warm.

ZESTY/PEPPERY/SWEET-BLUE CHEESE AND DATE SPREAD -- OR BALLS!

Steps:

• Measure 1 1/2 cups pecans (or double that amount if making cheese balls) into an large iron skillet, toasting over medium heat, stirring constantly ~ remove from heat and finely chop! (Or, preheat oven to 350 degrees ~ Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast 5 minutes.).
• Set nuts aside; they will be added last!
• In a mixing bowl, combine (by hand or using an electric mixer), cream cheese, blue cheese cheddar cheese, salt, lemon zest, and freshly grated black pepper until fluffy!
• Stir in dates and 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans.
• For easier handling, chill for an hour to firm up, if making into cheese balls. Coat with additional toasted, chopped pecans.
• Serve this zesty spread (or balls) chilled, or at room temperature, with apple slices, celery sticks. tortilla chips, and/or crackers.
• NOTE: Cooking time is the chill time, although I thought the flavor greatly improved after chilling overnight! The recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger number of people!

EASY BLUE CHEESE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a medium bowl thoroughly mix the cream cheese and butter together.
• Add olives, blue cheese, and chives. Mix well, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Form mixture into a ball and wrap in a sheet of plastic wrap.
• Refrigerate until completely chilled.
• Place on a serving plate
• Serve with dippers of your choice

BLUE-CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a regular or mini food processor, pulse cream cheese until smooth. Add blue cheese and process until fully combined. If needed, pulse in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach a spreadable consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute shallots in butter until tender. Remove from the heat; cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cheeses, sour cream, Cognac, salt and pepper. Add shallots and mix well. Line a 3-cup bowl with plastic wrap. Spread cheese mixture into prepared bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., Unmold onto a serving plate; garnish with walnuts. Serve with crackers.

DATE, WALNUT AND BLUE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add dates, shallots, lemon rind, salt and pepper, beat at medium speed until well blended, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.
• Spoon cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a ball; using a rubber spatula. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap; chill overnight.
• Combine parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap cheese ball; gently roll ball in nut mixture, coating well. Place on a serving plate. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

MINI BLUE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except Walnuts.
• Form into balls.
• Roll in chopped Walnuts.
• Chill until ready to serve.