Miniature Wisconsin Blue Cheese Balls with Winter Fruit
Courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Servings: 30
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 10 Min.
Chill Time: 2 Hr.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 10 Min.
Chill Time: 2 Hr.
What you need:
* 30 dried apricots
* water
* 4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
* 2/3 c. coarsely chopped pecans
* 4 oz. cream cheese cut in chunks and room temperature
* 3 oz. (3/4 c.) Wisconsin Blue cheese, crumbled
* 1 Tbsp. French brandy* (see below)
* 1/2 Tbsp. grated yellow onion
* If a nonalcoholic mixture is preferred, substitute sherry extract. Start with 1/4 tsp. and add to taste.
* water
* 4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
* 2/3 c. coarsely chopped pecans
* 4 oz. cream cheese cut in chunks and room temperature
* 3 oz. (3/4 c.) Wisconsin Blue cheese, crumbled
* 1 Tbsp. French brandy* (see below)
* 1/2 Tbsp. grated yellow onion
* If a nonalcoholic mixture is preferred, substitute sherry extract. Start with 1/4 tsp. and add to taste.
What to do:
1. Place the apricots in a sauce pan. Add water barely to cover. Stir in vanilla. Bring the apricots to a boil, uncovered, and simmer until tender, 1-4 min., depending on the dryness of the apricots. Test with a fork. The apricots should be tender but not limp. Drain and dry well. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet. Toast the pecans for 4-5 min., until aromatic. Stir after 2 min. and watch so the nuts do not scorch. Remove and pour pecans on waxed paper to cool. Whirl the pecans in a blender or food processor until very fine. Set aside.
3. Place the cream cheese, Wisconsin Blue cheese and brandy in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are well blended. Add the onion and pulse briefly to incorporate. (You may also blend the mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer.) Remove mixture to a bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hr.
4. Remove cheese mixture from refrigerator. Form miniature balls and dip tops in pecans. Place on an apricot, nut side up. Repeat until all mixture is used. The mixture is soft - if too soft, spoon onto apricots, rounding the top and sprinkle with pecans.
Note: This mixture is a terrific filling for stewed dried plums (prunes) and Majool dates. Make a party plate with all winter fruits - apricots, dried plums and dates - for variety.
2. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet. Toast the pecans for 4-5 min., until aromatic. Stir after 2 min. and watch so the nuts do not scorch. Remove and pour pecans on waxed paper to cool. Whirl the pecans in a blender or food processor until very fine. Set aside.
3. Place the cream cheese, Wisconsin Blue cheese and brandy in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are well blended. Add the onion and pulse briefly to incorporate. (You may also blend the mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer.) Remove mixture to a bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hr.
4. Remove cheese mixture from refrigerator. Form miniature balls and dip tops in pecans. Place on an apricot, nut side up. Repeat until all mixture is used. The mixture is soft - if too soft, spoon onto apricots, rounding the top and sprinkle with pecans.
Note: This mixture is a terrific filling for stewed dried plums (prunes) and Majool dates. Make a party plate with all winter fruits - apricots, dried plums and dates - for variety.