BEST appetizer or snack especially on Game Day or when having a party and this Cheese Ball stuffed with Bacon and Chives will steal the show !

I served this Bacon and Chives Cheese Ball as an appetizer on New Year’s Day when we had a very traditional South-African Braai (BBQ), and we had my mom-in-law and my hubby’s sister over for the day.

We are not the type of family who visits on a regular basis for many reasons. Of which I will not go into, but it’s nothing major, we all love each other and sort of keep in touch in other ways.

Anyhow, because of the above, my mom-in-law and hubby’s sister, decided to spent most of the day with us and had come early.

I knew we would be chatting up a storm and also knew that my daughter and her boyfriend would stop by. My son was away on vacation.

Now, I do not know whether you are the same when having family or friends over, but chatting can make one quite hungry ! Really .. you can take my word for it !

Therefore, this Cheese Ball was not exactly served as an appetizer ! More like an appetizer-snack, as we snacked on it throughout all the catching up !

The day before, I had already marinated the meats, cubed other meats, washed/cleaned all the salad ingredients. And made whatever I could make ahead, like this Bacon and Chives Cheese Ball.

Once the Ball was formed and into the refrigerator I left it there till the next morning.  I quickly rolled the Cheese Ball in the Peanut mix, which only took a couple of minutes, just before I served it.

A Cheese Ball is such fun to make, because you can really add any ingredients you like, well, obviously not liquid. Or rather, if you add any kind of liquid it must be the absolute minimum. Otherwise you might end up with a Cheese Porridge instead of a Cheese Ball.

One of my favorite combinations is Bacon, Chives and Cheese. I love it in any way served. From a Cheese Ball through to a Quiche and even layered on a lettuce sandwich.

One of the other Herbs we have growing just so happens to be Chives. And even though we have quite a bit,  I seem to use it up in no time at all ! Good thing Chives actually grow back very quick!

No fancy Nuts today, just plain old Roasted Peanuts, which are not only much cheaper than most other Nuts, but another popular snack with my family.

When I make this particular Bacon and Chives Cheese Ball, you will always catch me scooping from the outside rather than the inside – just love those Peanuts !

Bacon And Chives Cheese Ball

Bacon And Chives Cheese Ball

Linda Nortje

BEST appetizer or snack especially on Game Day or when having a party and this Cheese Ball stuffed with Bacon and Chives will steal the show !

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Course Appetizer, Snack

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings 10 People

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 250 g Cream Cheese softened ( 8 oz )
• ¼ cup Feta Cheese crumbled
• 2 TB Fresh Chives finely chopped
• ½ cup Cooked Bacon chopped
• ¼ t Cayenne Pepper

NUT CRUST:

• 1 t Dried Chili Flakes
• 2 TB Fresh Chives chopped
• 2 t Lemon Zest finely grated
• ⅓ cup Salted, Roasted Peanuts

Instructions

 

• In a blender, blend together the Cream Cheese, Feta Cheese, Chives, Bacon and Pepper {you can stir in the Bacon after blending if you prefer} – form an oval ball, cover in plastic wrap and chill for 1 – 2 hours
• Combine the Chili Flakes, extra Chives, Zest and Peanuts – scatter on a plate
• Remove the chilled Cheese Ball from the refrigerator and roll in the Chili/Peanut mixture, pressing very lightly

Nutrition value, where given, is not always accurate. Please also check your ingredient labels.

Keep chilled until ready to serve but remove from refrigerator at least 15 minutes prior to serving.

LINDA