Blue Cheese With Date Spread Recipes

WARM DATES WITH BLUE CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With a small paring knife, slit each date lengthwise and spread open just enough to remove the pit while leaving the date intact. Fill the cavity of each date with a small piece of blue cheese and fold the date over the cheese, pressing it back into its original shape.
• Cut a strip of prosciutto as wide as each date is long and wrap it around twice, enclosing the date almost completely. Place the dates on a sheet pan and bake for about 8 minutes, until the prosciutto is browned and the cheese starts to melt.
• Cool slightly and serve warm.

DATES AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit into each date (remove pits, if needed); stuff with blue cheese. Arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle the almonds on top. Drizzle with honey.

BRANDIED BLUE CHEESE & DATES ON CRACKERS

Steps:

• Beat cheeses, brandy & chives in a sml bowl w/an electric mixer till well-combined.
• Slice dates into very fine strips.
• Just b4 serving, spread or pipe cheese mixture onto crackers & top w/date strips & parsley.
• NOTE: Cheese mix can be prepared 2 dys ahead of need, covered & stored in refrigerator.

BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute shallots in butter until tender. Remove from the heat; cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cheeses, sour cream, Cognac, salt and pepper. Add shallots and mix well. Line a 3-cup bowl with plastic wrap. Spread cheese mixture into prepared bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., Unmold onto a serving plate; garnish with walnuts. Serve with crackers.

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

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!

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Slice dates in half, and open them up. Pinch off pieces of blue cheese, and place them into the center of the dates. Close the halves of the dates, and wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside. Secure each one with a toothpick. Arrange in a baking dish or on a baking sheet with sides to catch any grease.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bacon is crisp. Turn dates over after the first 20 minutes for even cooking.