It would appear that I am on a roll with recipes with “ball” in the title. While searching for a new appetizer to serve to company, I found this tasty cheese ball recipe on Cafe Sucre Farine’s website. Chris always has terrific ideas for what to serve. When I made it for friends everyone said it was a winner. I have a confession to make. Not sure if I have mentioned it before but I am not a cheese lover. I love melted cheese but usually avoid cheese boards.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t serve cheese to my guests. This cheese ball is filled with goat cheese, cheddar, cream cheese, roasted red peppers and garlic. The pecan and rosemary coating makes it interesting. It is easy to mix all of the ingredients by hand if you don’t have a food processor. But I do miss my stand mixer here in Florida.
We have many occasions for get togethers while in the Sunshine State. High School friends from Michigan are in New Smyrna Beach for Race Week. The beginning of Nascar’s Daytona Five Hundred is coming up this weekend. After that New Smyrna Beach celebrates Mardi Gras with a parade on Fat Tuesday. Then in March, Bike Week will bring our motorcycle group to our house for the event. Lots of entertaining is in our future. Glad I have this cheese ball recipe in my repertoire.
ROASTED RED PEPPER CHEESE BALL (Cafe Sucre Farine)
- 4 ounces cream cheese regular or lower fat, not fat-free)
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 4 ounce jar roasted red peppers
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces fairly finely chopped pecans or pecan chips
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
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Drain roasted red pepper well and then roll in several thicknesses of paper toweling to remove any excess liquid.
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Combine cream cheese, goat cheese, cheddar cheese, roasted red peppers, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and crushed red pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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Line a medium-size bowl with plastic wrap then add the cheese mixture and pull plastic wrap over the top of the cheese. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes.
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While the cheeseball is chilling, prepare the pecan coating by melting butter in a small non-sticking sauté pan until bubbly and beginning to brown a bit. It will have a nutty aroma. Add olive oil and pecans and stir to coat pecans. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-6 minutes until pecans turn golden. Remove from heat and set aside to cool then add the 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary and stir to combine.
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Pull the cheese out of the bowl with the plastic wrap and use the wrap to help you shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the pecan mixture and shape again by gently pushing the sides to form a rounded ball. Place on a serving tray and sprinkle with a bit more chopped fresh rosemary, for garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers and/or celery.
That sounds like a great appetizer! Funny, I didn’t know you didn’t like cheese!
Let’s just say, I’m selective Penny.
I have a wedge of cheese spread on my toast each morning so you know I love cheese. I know I would enjoy some of this on crackers…it reminds me of pimento cheese but much fancier. 😀
Love your version Karen. Thanks so much.