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Have you heard the old saying: "what goes around, comes around"? It's really true in so many ways ………. like names. Have you noticed how popular names are forever changing? I've worked for many years as a mother-baby nurse (taking care of new moms and babies right after delivery) and it's always fun (and often surprising) to be "in the know" as far as the latest trends for baby names. What's funny to me, is that these days, the "old" names are now "new". Names like Violet, Betty, Lucy, Beatrice, Henry, Frank, Owen, Walter, etc were, when I was growing up, names relegated to old aunts, uncles and really old movie stars. Now, they're new again as darling little babies are named with these same monikers and the outdated names take on a fresh life and become contemporary.
The same is true with food. They're are always lots of new culinary trends but old classics will often reappear and, with a few tweaks, transform into the latest cuisine du jour. Like cheese balls. I remember my mom making cheese balls for special occasions and they were a standard item on party tables for many years. At some point their popularity seemed to wane as more current appetizers and snacks pushed their way forward.
I have to admit, I've NEVER made a cheese ball. Till now. They always seemed a bit boring and oldschool to me. Then one day a while back, I was perusing through Pinterest and saw this Bacon-Jalapeño Cheese Ball. There it was in all it's glory; an old fashioned cheese ball, all dressed up in new clothes. Bacon? Jalapeño? Pecans? Yes and combined with a delicious list of wonderful Southwestern ingredients. It immediately piqued my curiosity and interest and next thing I knew, I stepped back into time and was rolling together a cheese ball.
I'm so glad I revisited this fabulous "blast from the past". This Southwestern Bacon Jalapeño Cheeseball comes together quite quickly and is one of those recipes that starts out really good but gets even better as the ingredients have time to meld and get to know each other better. This is great when planning a party or get together as all the work can be done ahead of time. Actually way ahead, as cheese balls freeze very nicely though I would leave the bacon/pecan/herb coating off until just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
Have you got a brunch, lunch, dinner party or other event coming up? I got you covered with a fabulous dessert earlier this week. Here's your new (old) go-to appetizer. We've got lots more fun, fresh recipes coming up, so be sure to stay tuned to The Café! Enjoy!
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Southwestern Bacon Jalapeño Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup shredded, sharp cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 jalapeños, stems and seeds removed, diced, divided
- 6 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled, divided (about 6 ounces)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, roasted
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped bell pepper, for rollng. Any color is fine, I used yellow bell pepper
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cilantro, garlic, cumin, cayenne, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, half of the diced jalapeños and half of the crumbled cooked bacon. Taste and adjust seasonings and add salt.
- Place the roasted pecans, the remaining diced jalapeños and bacon along with the diced bell pepper on a plate. Stir together so well mixed. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Add cheese mixture and bring edges of plastic wrap together, forming a ball. Refrideratet for 30 minutes then remove from fridge and form into a ball. Remove plastic wrap and roll the cheese ball to coat with the bacon- jalapeño mixture. Refrigerate for at least an hour. About 10 minutes before serving, removed from refridge.. Cheeseball can also be frozen, however do not roll in bacon-jalapeño mixture after freezing.
- Chill covered for at least an hour before serving. Serve with crackers.
Adapted from The Homesick Texan
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Chris,
This cheese ball is delicious!!! My whole family loved it!!!
Thanks so much for another wonderful recipe!!
Awesome! Thanks, Lynda!
Hi. I have made this today for Christmas and am wondering if I can freeze the whole cheese ball. It looks great but had to make early as we are gone most of the week. We are having early shristmas on dec 22. Will it be ok
Yes, you can freeze the whole thing, Sherry. Give it plenty of time to thaw!
I had to step back a few months and say that this has become our absolute favorite cheese ball. I just polished off the last little chunk of probably the 4th one we've made since this was posted. Wonderful flavors!
Yeh! Thanks for letting us know Sandra! You're making me want to make a cheeseball!
That looks amazing!
wow! this us one big cheese ball! looks really good!
With bacon and jalapeño, this looks like the ultimate crowd pleaser!
Give me a good cheese ball anytime, I love "blasts for the past."
This is the perfect cheese ball for today's palates, Chris! I am so glad you did a retro recipe revamp here. I don't know anyone who wouldn't love these flavors in this appetizer. 🙂 Cannot wait to make this one! Thank you for sharing. Pinned (everywhere)!
I love cheeseballs and was making them a lot a year or so ago, but have fallen out of the habit. I'm so glad you were perusing Pinterest and found this one! Your adaptation looks amazing.
I never knew cheese balls were outdated - I've loved them ever since I could remember! They are one of my favorite things to eat! This sounds soooo incredibly delicious - pinning!
My dear Chris you are one of my favoret foreign food bloger!! Your cheese ball is super!!
OMG! This looks so good! I have to try these balls!
When I was catering we made a ton of salmon cheese balls. Ah, those were the days! The one you've created here sounds like a perfect appetizer and I know I'll make it for my family.
This looks crazily GOOD!
This is not the cheese ball of my early married life but it is definitely a cheese ball I am going to use for summer entertaining. It will be a novelty, that's for sure. I've never seen a prettier one. Thanks for the idea.
I haven't made a cheeseball since the 80s but I'd reconsider and make this one. It ticks all the right boxes for me and what's not to love about cheese on a cracker.
Hi Chris, that is so true about things coming around again, my son's best friend named his daughter Violet, and I was so surprised these kids are so techy, (well there not kids any more), anyway this cheese ball looks amazing, I hardly eat any type of meat except fish, occasionally chicken, but bacon or sausage.......they are my true weakness. This would be a true treat.
Oh my GOSH!!!! I Love this recipe! I haven;t had a cheese ball in forever! This is just simply beautiful!!! Bookmarking!
I had never made a cheeseball either until my son married a girl who loved them so now I make them for her at Christmas and I have to say, I love them now. And this is one beautiful cheeseball! it's definitely going on my "to make" list!
This is the prettiest cheese ball I've seen in a long time and jalapeño, bacon and pecans can't be beat. I wish I lived next door to you so I could taste all your lovely creations.
So much for auto correcting. I meant cheese balls.
I've always loved chews alps and use to make them back in the 70s. Then again I love cheese! This cheese all is stunning and what a great list of ingredients. I can't wait to try it!
Lovin' it's pretty coating:@)
Chris, all our kids have traditional names, names from their grand-mothers and great grand-mothers - I love classics be it names or food. So, this cheeseball looks very tempting to me - I have never made one but I would love to give this fabulous recipe of yours a try!
Have a great weekend!
Sounds and looks delicious...love jalapeño peppers!
It is so true - what's old is new again and this is certainly a blast from the past. My mom would make various versions and love that you are bringing it back in the spotlight. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
look beautiful Chris!! xo
Sounds good and with it's own bunting..so cute!