Maple bacon cheeseball with arugula
An effortless, yet impressive cheesy appetizer filled with fall flavours like maple and arugula.
YIELDS
4
TO
6
Ingredients
- 16oz softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Gouda cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup crispy bacon bits
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 handfuls arugula
- A few drizzles of olive oil and red wine vinegar
- Pinch of salt
- Your favorite crackers
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder and black pepper. Use a wooden spoon to incorporate all ingredients together.
- Stir in half of the cheddar, Gouda, green onions, bacon bits and pecans. (Set the other half aside on a plate.)
- Mix all together and evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Add the cheese mixture onto a clean cutting board and use your hands to shape it into a ball. To prevent it from sticking too much, apply some oil to your hands and form the ball.
- Cover the cheese ball with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes allowing it to firm up.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining half of the cheddar, Gouda, green onion, bacon, pecans and all the sesame seeds until evenly mixed.
- Roll the chilled cheese ball in the mixture until all sides are coated.
- On a large dinner plate, scatter arugula on the base and drizzle olive oil, and red wine vinegar and season with salt.
- Place cheese ball onto arugula salad and serve with your favourite crackers. Enjoy!
