Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pigskin Cheese Ball

This fun recipe comes from a  cookbook that one of my son's gave me for Christmas, called Great Balls of Cheese. If you need a cheese ball to take to a Super Bowl party, this would be a great one.  I think my bloggy buddy, Lynn, at Happier Than A Pig In Mud  will love this one!

1 1/2 pounds of sliced bacon
1 medium jalapeño, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, plus some for decorating
1 T. chopped scallions

Crackers for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets that have sides. Bake until crispy, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels and let cool. Reserve 2 T.  of the bacon grease and save or discard the rest.  Coarsely chop the bacon, when cool and set aside.

Cook the jalapeño in the reserved bacon grease in a small skillet over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Using a mixer, mix together 1 cup of the chopped bacon, the sautéed jalapeño, cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar, and the scallions until combined.

Form the mixture into a ball and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, form the mixture into an oblong football shape and roll in the remaining chopped bacon to coat. Decorate the top of the football cheese ball with some pieces of cheese to resemble laces.  ( I actually used some string cheese for this part).

Serves 15-20

NOTE:  I made half of the recipe and it was plenty for a crowd!

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:

Make It Pretty Monday
HOME
Share Your Cup
Foodie Friday
Full Plate
Seasonal Sundays
Weekend Potluck



30 comments:

  1. Oh yea, bacon and jalapenos-what's not to love! It looks so cute Kitty, no doubt this is a game day favorite for sure:@)

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  2. We would love this! I hope your weather isn't too crazy. The news is filled with crazy weather. xo

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  3. Thank you for sharing this recipe. We are big time bacon lovers so I can't wait to try it.
    Have a great day!

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  4. Heh, that's cute - and though we don't do the pro football thing here in my home we always do bacon. Can't wait to share this with hubs, Perfect timing with the big game coming up.

    Hugs to you, Kitty.

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  5. What fun! Wonder if the boys would like that.

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  6. Your football cheeseball is great looking! Love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Hey Kitty, this recipe looks delicious and I LOVE bacon! Perfect for the super bowl!

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  8. This is so cute, Kitty -- perfect for Superbowl weekend! I've been trying to think what I want to fix for the big day here. This is a great idea. :)

    Thank you for sharing with us; I hope you're staying warm and well!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  9. That looks great! It would look more like a baseball after I got into it though! Sweet hugs!

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  10. That is so cute Kitty. I have a confession. I don't understand football. I don't get it at all but I do love to cook and bake so I am going to put this wonderful cheeseball recipe in my "football food" folder!

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  11. I know i would have a ball with this, game on! xo

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  12. Yummy! I have a son-in-law that would like this.

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  13. This looks so sinfully delicious! I love bacon and the way you present the pigskin cheese ball is very clever :)!

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  14. Looks good, Kitty! I will be watching Downton Abbey while dh watches the game. :)
    Hopeall is well!

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  15. So neat! I know it tastes delish...anything with bacon & jalapenos has to ~ :)

    xo
    Pat

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  16. "bacon and jalapenos"...I KNEW Lynn would go crazy over this one!
    It looks yummalicious...I mean how can you go wrong with those ingredients??!!
    Darling idea. I'm sending a link of this post to my niece in CO who are Bronco nuts. I'm sure she will be cooking up a storm on Sunday.
    Thanks for sharing how you made it!!!

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  17. I love cheese balls!! This is so cute! I have to try this. Doubt it will look as good as yours. I would love to have you hop over and share with us at Tell Me About It Tuesday! (http://www.sweetsillysara.com/2014/01/tell-me-about-it-tuesday-3.html)

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  18. OK, the recipe sounds hot and delicious, and the presentation is fantastic. I am definitely sharing this with my niece who is most likely going to a Superbowl party and will need to bring something. Very cute!

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  19. Kitty, Your bacon cheese football has Lynn's name written all over it! I don't many who wouldn't love to dip in to it while watching the Superbowl!

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  20. This looks perfect for Superbowl Sunday, Kitty! I am rooting for our Seahawk's. It's an exciting time for us here in Seattle. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, xo Karen

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  21. What a fun cookbook! I love any cheese based dips! i think I could live off of them. This looks so much like a football. Everyone will love it!

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  22. Your football is too cute and I'm betting it would be a real favorite with the guys, especially the ones who think everything is better with bacon!

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  23. Visiting from Full Plate Thursday. This looks delicious--and so festive, too! I may have to make it for the game tomorrow!
    Amber @ www.applestoapplique.com

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  24. Bacon, and cheese, what's not to love? You know that dish that is the first to go? I think this will be one of those.

    Happy week.

    M~

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  25. Kitty:

    This is adorable! So creative.

    Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  26. Oh Kitty, just look at all that fabulous bacon with that yummy cheese mix. I just love your Pigskin Cheese Ball. That sounds like a great cookbook. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Miz Helen

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  27. So fun for the big game day! Pinning. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. This would go over really well at a game night. I did watch the SuperBowl, all of it, with my hubby and I'm still no wiser. I just don't get it. Do you understand football? Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Hugs,
    Sandi

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  29. Oh, my gosh! Now I'm REALLY mad that I wasn't getting your email post alerts!!! I could have been the bell of the ball with this recipe at the Super Bowl party a couple of weeks ago!!! I'm keeping this for next year!!!

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