Cheese Ball Trio

Name: Cheese Ball Trio
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 4 oz. cream cheese; 2 oz. crumbled blue cheese; 3 1/2 tbsp. crumbled cooked bacon (2 tbsp. for coating); 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1 chopped scallion; 2 tbsp. fresh chives, chopped (for coating); 3 tbsp. toasted pecans, chopped; 1/2 tsp. paprika; 1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper; 4 oz. smoked cheddar cheese; 1/3 c. toasted pecans, chopped (for coating); 1/2 tsp. paprika (for coating); 1/8 tsp. freshly ground back pepper (for coating); 1 small shallot, chopped; 2 tbsp. pepperoncini peppers, chopped; 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped; 2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped; 1 tsp. lemon zest; 1 small grated garlic clove; 4 oz. Crumbled feta; 1/4 c. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for coating); Crackers, crostini, assorted crudités for serving

By Marian Cooper CairnsPublished: Apr 3, 2017

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Brian Woodcock

Yields:

8 serving(s)

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 20 mins

These creamy, coated cheese balls spread perfectly over crostini or crudités.

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Ingredients

Blue Cheese-Bacon

4 oz. cream cheese
2 oz. crumbled blue cheese
3 1/2 Tbsp. crumbled cooked bacon (2 tbsp. for coating)
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 chopped scallion
2 Tbsp. fresh chives, chopped (for coating)

Smoky Cheddar-Pecan

4 oz. cream cheese
3 Tbsp. toasted pecans, chopped
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
4 oz. smoked cheddar cheese
1/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped (for coating)
1/2 tsp. paprika (for coating)
1/8 tsp. freshly ground back pepper (for coating)

Pepperoncini-Feta

4 oz. cream cheese
1 small shallot, chopped
2 Tbsp. pepperoncini peppers, chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 small grated garlic clove
4 oz. Crumbled feta
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for coating)
Crackers, crostini, assorted crudités for serving

Directions

1. Step 1Blue Cheese-Bacon. Beat cream cheese and crumbled blue cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in 1 1/2 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon, fresh flat-leaf parsley, and scallion until evenly combined. With wet hands, shape mixture into a ball. Combine fresh chives and 2 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon on a plate. Roll cheese ball in chive mixture to coat. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
2. Step 2Smoky Cheddar-Pecan. Beat cream cheese, 3 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add smoked Cheddar cheese, beating just until combined, 30 seconds to 1 minute. With wet hands, shape mixture into a ball. Combine 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper on a plate. Roll cheese ball in pecan mixture to coat. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or up to 2 days, if desired.
3. Step 3Pepperoncini-Feta. Beat cream cheese, shallot, pepperoncini peppers, basil, oregano, lemon zest, and garlic clove with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add crumbled Feta, beating just until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. With wet hands, shape mixture into a ball. Spread fresh flat-leaf parsley on a plate. Roll cheese ball in parsley to coat. Cover and chill 4 hours or up to 2 days, if desired.