Sunday, December 18, 2011

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Balls

It's been quite awhile since I've gotten around to posting a new recipe.  Since it is Christmas time I thought I'd try to get some appetizers posted. We loooove appetizers around this house.  Why?  They can be quick easy snacks to bring out if you have company, are in a rush, watching a movie, football or having a date night with your sweetie.  Even better if made ahead and frozen.  Steve and I still have date night every Friday.  It started when our kids were still at home.  Friday nights they got their own supper.  It could be cereal, toast, a sandwich anything as long as it didn't involve the stove.  And they took it to the rec room so we had the upstairs to ourselves to share some quiet time.  Now that the kids are no longer at home and we have grand kids, (and two hounds) life seems even busier than before.  So we have kept our date every Friday night.  Sometimes it's wine and appetizers, but lately it's been a cocktail or three; preferably a good dirty martini.  There's nothing better than sharing a few nibbles and cocktails with my best friend and relaxing!

So here is my  cheese ball Recipe, it's quick, easy to throw together and very hard to stop eating once you start!

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

2 packages (8oz.) cream cheese
1/2 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup chopped green onions
6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 clove of garlic, minced
3 tbsp. green olives with pimento, chopped fine
3 tbsp. minced fresh parsley or 1 tbsp. dried

First get all your ingredients ready.


Combine all ingredients in a large bowl or Kitchen Aid  with paddle attachment and blend well.  I used marble cheese because that's what I had on hand.


With clean hands, form into balls.



I usually make six. It all depends on how big or small you want them.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow flavours to blend.



To this batch I also added 3 tbsp. of chopped pickled jalapenos to half of the mixture and topped them with a jalapeno piece to label them.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Gruyere and Bacon Scone Minis


This little appetizer scone recipe I got from the LCBO Food and Drink Magazine.  I love, love, love this magazine.  It is available in the liquor stores in Ontario about 4 times a year.  It is just a beautiful magazine. It's tastefully done, chalk full of recipes, tips and drink pairings.  It also spotlights different wine, spirits and beer along with great gadget and gift ideas.  The best part is.......it's free!  I have used lots of the recipes from this magazine over the years and I haven't had one I didn't like.  These scones I particularily like because they are a simple, yet elegant appetizer. Come on!  It's bacon and cheese, what's not to like?  I have made larger scones that are great for a breakfast sandwich, but the appetizer size I like the best.  I usually spend an afternoon making a few batches so I can freeze them to have on hand when we have company.  They reheat really well straight from the freezer.  Today I made 80 and froze them in bags of ten to have on hand for the upcoming Christmas Season.

Gruyere and Bacon Scone Minis

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. cold butter
1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 7 slices)
2 tbsps. fresh parsley chopped or 1 tbsp. dried parsley
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray. Grate cheese and set aside.


Cook and crumble bacon and set aside.


Stir flour, salt and baking powder together.


Cut in butter.




Add gruyere, bacon and parsley.


Mix in milk until a soft dough forms.


 Divide in two.  Turn out onto floured board and knead each half 2-3 times.


Pat  out to 3/4" thick rounds.  Cut into eight wedges.


Place on cookie sheet, brush with beaten egg.


Bake 10 minutes. 


Can freeze and reheat from frozen uncovered at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.


And of course, everything is better with butter on it!