ZESTY/PEPPERY/SWEET-BLUE CHEESE AND DATE SPREAD -- OR BALLS!

Zesty/Peppery/Sweet-Blue Cheese and Date Spread -- or Balls! image

Provided by KerfuffleUponWincle

Categories Spreads

Time 2h5m

Yield 4 1/4 cups, 60 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/2 cups pecans (measured, then toasted and chopped fine)
16 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened (lower fat Neufchatel suggested)
4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled)
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (grated ~ equals 1 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large lemon, zest of (save lemon pulp or juice for another purpose)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
8 ounces chopped dates
1 1/2 cups pecans (if making into balls ~ Toasted and chopped fine) (optional)

Steps:

Measure 1 1/2 cups pecans (or double that amount if making cheese balls) into an large iron skillet, toasting over medium heat, stirring constantly ~ remove from heat and finely chop! (Or, preheat oven to 350 degrees ~ Spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast 5 minutes.).
Set nuts aside; they will be added last!
In a mixing bowl, combine (by hand or using an electric mixer), cream cheese, blue cheese cheddar cheese, salt, lemon zest, and freshly grated black pepper until fluffy!
Stir in dates and 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans.
For easier handling, chill for an hour to firm up, if making into cheese balls. Coat with additional toasted, chopped pecans.
Serve this zesty spread (or balls) chilled, or at room temperature, with apple slices, celery sticks. tortilla chips, and/or crackers.
NOTE: Cooking time is the chill time, although I thought the flavor greatly improved after chilling overnight! The recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger number of people!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63, Fat 4.9, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 9, Sodium 73.2, Carbohydrate 3.6, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 2.8, Protein 1.9