Introduction
Discover the delightful combination of creaminess and tang with our Date & Blue Cheese Ball recipe. This unique fusion offers a fresh take on traditional ball salads, perfect for sharing at your next gathering.
Tips for this Recipe
Ensure all cheeses are at room temperature before combining to achieve the smoothest texture. Chill serving bowls in advance to maintain the freshness of ingredients throughout your event.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
The Date & Blue Cheese Ball marries sweet and savory flavors, with a medley of textures that elevate it above simple cheeseball fare. Its vibrant presentation makes it an ideal centerpiece for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 8 oz/225 g of low-fat cream cheese (bar style), at room temperature
- 1 cup/115 g crumbled blue cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp reduced-fat buttermilk
- 3 tbsp minced Medjool dates (5 to 6 pitted dates)
- 1 tbsp minced shallots
- 1 tsp grated lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 1/2 tbsp finely chopped toasted walnuts
- Crostini, Baked Pita Chips, Baked Bagel Chips, Marbled Rye Toasts, celery and carrot sticks (for serving)
Adviced Equipments
– Digital Kitchen Scale/Kitchen Scales: Precision digital scale for accurate measurement of ingredients, essential for baking and cooking.
– Food Processor/Juicer with Dough Hooks: A versatile appliance that can process cheeses, make doughs like those needed for blue cheese balls, and much more; includes various attachments such as dough hooks.
– Silicone Ice Cube Molds: Perfect for shaping frozen elements of a recipe or any small portion preparation that needs to be uniformly sized.
– Cheese Grater (Fine and Medium Grain): Useful for grating cheeses, including the fine blue veining often found in high-quality blue cheeses.
– Mixing Bowls of Various Sizes: A set or individual bowls are essential for mixing ingredients together, especially when making something like a blue cheese ball salad with various components.
– Measuring Cups (Set): Essential for accurately measuring dry and liquid ingredients which is crucial in recipe success, especially for baking applications.
– Citrus Juicer: For extracting juice from citrus fruits if the recipe requires a touch of citrus to complement the flavors of blue cheese.
History of the Recipe
The Date & Blue Cheese Ball represents a modern twist on classic appetizers, drawing inspiration from various culinary traditions. Its roots can be traced to innovative chefs seeking to blend sweet and savory in an appealing format.
Fun Facts About This Recipe
This recipe is a celebration of versatility, with Medjool dates adding not just sweetness but also moisture to the rich blue cheese. The choice of walnuts introduces an earthy crunch, while serving options encourage creativity among hosts.