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

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Zesty/Peppery/Sweet-Blue Cheese and Date Spread -- or Balls! image

Modified from an Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC.com) online What's For Dinner recipe, made famous by Ann Sprague of Smyrna, who got the recipe from neighbor Velinda Warda. ---- NOTE: Serve this zesty spread chilled or at room temperature, or make into balls. Great with apple slices, celery sticks, tortilla chips, and/or crackers. I really like this spread with tortilla chips -- you get zesty, peppery-sweet, and salty!

Provided by KerfuffleUponWincle

Categories     Spreads

Time 2h5m

Yield 4 1/4 cups, 60 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups pecans (measured, then toasted and chopped fine)
16 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened (lower fat Neufchatel suggested)
4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled)
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (grated ~ equals 1 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large lemon, zest of (save lemon pulp or juice for another purpose)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
8 ounces chopped dates
1 1/2 cups pecans (if making into balls ~ Toasted and chopped fine) (optional)

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!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63, Fat 4.9, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 9, Sodium 73.2, Carbohydrate 3.6, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 2.8, Protein 1.9

Dragon Gaming
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I made this spread for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.


Adnan Tawhid
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This is a great recipe! I love the combination of flavors. I will definitely be making this again.


ZANEE BOY
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I made this spread for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.


Technology IT
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This spread is delicious! I love the combination of sweet and savory flavors. I served it with crackers and it was a perfect appetizer.


Lina Skunsmonaite
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I made this spread for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.


Kesha Carter
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This is a great recipe! I love the combination of flavors. I will definitely be making this again.


Sah Nagendar
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I made this spread for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.


Caroline Conway
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This spread is delicious! I love the combination of sweet and savory flavors. I served it with crackers and it was a perfect appetizer.


Honan Rivera
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I love this recipe! It's so easy to make and it's always a crowd-pleaser. I've made it several times now and it's always a hit. Thanks for sharing!


Maxamed Allow
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This blue cheese and date spread is amazing! I made it for a party and it was a huge hit. The combination of the sweet dates and the salty blue cheese is perfect, and the pecans add a nice crunch. I will definitely be making this again.