ZESTY/PEPPERY/SWEET-BLUE CHEESE AND DATE SPREAD -- OR BALLS!
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
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
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Dragon Gaming
d50@yahoo.comI made this spread for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.
Adnan Tawhid
a.tawhid54@hotmail.comThis is a great recipe! I love the combination of flavors. I will definitely be making this again.
ZANEE BOY
z@aol.comI made this spread for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.
Technology IT
t90@gmail.comThis 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
s.l33@yahoo.comI made this spread for a party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.
Kesha Carter
keshacarter73@yahoo.comThis is a great recipe! I love the combination of flavors. I will definitely be making this again.
Sah Nagendar
sah-nagendar92@hotmail.co.ukI made this spread for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again.
Caroline Conway
caroline@gmail.comThis 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
honan@hotmail.comI 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
a-m36@hotmail.comThis 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.