This is not your nana’s cheese ball. Bacon, aged cheddar and our Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds elevate this popular holiday appetizer to new heights. This is a quick and easy recipe that can be made in advance. Be sure to allow a few hours to firm the cheese ball before serving.
Smoked Pimenton, Bacon & Cheddar Cheese Ball
Recipe by the Clif Family Culinary Team
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 oz aged cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 Tbsp fresh red pepper, diced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup Clif Family Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
- Spread softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, diced red pepper, salt, Worcestershire and lemon juice.
- With a sturdy spatula mix ingredients until well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding salt to taste.
- To achieve a higher nut-to-cheese mixture ratio we prefer to make 3 varying size cheese balls instead of one large one.
- Scrape the mixture into small plastic wrap-lined round bowls; gather up plastic around cheese, shaping into balls.
- Chill until firm, 3-12 hours.
- Just before serving, unwrap cheese ball and roll in chopped Clif Family Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds until covered.
- Serve with crostini.
SUGGESTED WINE PAIRINGS:
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