Date and Blue Cheese Ball

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Sheri Giblin
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  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

8ounces (225 g) low-fat cream cheese (bar style), at room temperature
1cup (115 g) crumbled blue cheese, at room temperature
1tablespoon reduced-fat buttermilk
3tablespoons minced medjool dates (5 or 6 pitted dates)
1tablespoon minced shallots
1teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/4teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 1/2tablespoons finely chopped toasted walnuts

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, blue cheese, and buttermilk on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the dates, shallots, lemon zest, salt, and pepper and beat until well combined.
  2. Transfer the cheese mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap/cling film and form it into a ball. Wrap the ball in the wrap/film and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together the parsley and walnuts. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. With the wrap/film still on, shape into a well-formed ball. Unwrap the cheese mixture and roll it gently in the nut mixture until all sides are well covered. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.)

Suggested Dippers: Crostini, baked pita chips, baked bagel chips, marbled rye toasts, celery and carrot sticks.

Reprinted with permission. Diane Morgan, Skinny Dips: 60 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Chips and Salsas on the Lighter Side of Delicious, ChronicleBooks (2010)

Nutritional Info *per serving

  • Calories 59
  • Fat 3.9 g
  • Saturated Fat 2.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 1 g
  • Cholesterol 10 mg
  • Sodium 109 mg
  • Carbohydrate 4 g
  • Fiber 0 g
  • Protein 2 g
  • Calcium 41 mg
  • Iron 0.1 mg