Holiday Cheese Ball
December 3rd, 2011 |
Small Bites & Entertaining Grub |
1 Comment
As a child I remember my mom making this amazing little cheeseball any time she was having company over during the holidays. It took several years before I would ever give it a try, but once I did, I was hooked! The combination of delicious {all on its own} cream cheese, with salty dried beef, tangy green onions and toasted pecans make this cheeseball truly a flavor sensation!
I've adopted my mom's tradition and anytime we are asked to bring an appetizer to a holiday party I bust this baby out. Tempted though I may be to bring something else, more creative and "gourmet" I know nothing is going to go over as well as this cheeseball. I always get texts/emails the next day asking what it was and how to make it. Its so darn easy and can be thrown together in less than 10 minutes; not to mention the red and green colors of the beef and onions make it particularly festive to boot!
Warning: This is not something you want sitting around your house or in your refrigerator. It's highly addicting and should only be made when taking something to somebody else's house where many will gather around and devour.
Ingredients:
1 package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 jar of dried beef, about 2.5 ounces
4 green onions, green parts only, sliced thin
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 package of butter crackers
Directions:
Toast pecans for 10 minutes on Convection Bake setting at 350 degrees.
Chop dried beef into small pieces.
In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, dried beef and green onions until well incorporated.
Try to shape the mixture into a ball and place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes so that it can begin to firm up. {You don't want it too firm or the pecans will not stick well.}
Remove cheese ball from refrigerator and roll around in the chopped and toasted pecans until it has a nice coating.
Serve with your favorite butter crackers and enjoy!
I love this cheeseball!! I usually make it with 3 pkgs crm cheese, i whole bunch of onions, and 3 pkgs. Budding beef. I also add 3 tbs of mayo to help it soften up to spread easier. Also if you want a twist add one tsp. seasoning salt and one tsp. garlic powder. Delicious!!