Sunday, February 3, 2013

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Party...Featuring All American Ranch Cheese Ball

This week, the #SundaySupper bunch is sharing our favorite Super Bowl treats...everything from appetizers to sandwiches to desserts. Whatever you need to make your Super Bowl party sizzle, we've got you covered! One of my best party-planning tips -- football or otherwise -- is to mix up your menu. Make sure you have a good mix of hot and cold items. If you make all hot items, you're begging for a log jam for the oven. I try to make sure that I plan a couple of no-bake items that I can whip up a day ahead of the big game...which saves me time and stress on the day of the party. One of my most-requested items is my All American Ranch Cheese Ball. It's inexpensive to make, quick to assemble a day ahead, and everyone loves it!

Cheese balls are kind of retro, but they're a classic for a reason. My family asks me to make this during the holidays, and we also enjoy it as part of our game-watching snacks. Cream cheese is flavored with ham & cheese, green onion, dry ranch dressing, and a bit of Tabasco for a kick. Roll in a ball and coat with nuts...and you've got a delicious appetizer in about 15 minutes. Let me show you how simple this cheese ball is to make!

All American Ranch Cheese Ball
a Weekend Gourmet original

Step 1: Combine the following ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer: 12 ounces softened cream cheese (1.5 packages), 3 thinly sliced green onions, 1/2 cup chopped thin-sliced deli ham, 1 cup shredded co-jack cheese, 2 tbs. dry ranch dressing mix, 3 tbs. half and half (or milk), and 1 tbs. Tabasco. 



Step 2: Combine the ingredients on low speed until everything is evenly combined. You may have to stop to scrape down the mixture to make sure there aren't any white streaks of cream cheese. It takes 1-2 minutes to do this. Shape  the mixture into a ball with your hands and place on a serving plate. Coat with chopped pecans. I find the easiest way to do this is to put the nuts in my hands and press them into the top and then sides of the cheese ball. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving, but overnight is best to really let the flavors develop.




An alternate serving method that I used for some of my cheese ball mixture is to make bite-sized cheese ball truffles. Simple roll the mixture in bite-sized balls and coat in chopped pecans or chopped parsley. Stick a ruffled toothpick in so they're easy for everyone to pick up. Since the large cheese ball is being served while we watch the Super Bowl, I cut one of the cheese ball truffles in half so you can see the inside. I serve the cheese ball with an assortment of sturdy crackers.

This cheese ball is creamy and full of flavors that most everyone loves. The ranch flavor isn't overpowering, and the Tabasco gives each bite a subtle heat. I usually remove the cheese ball/truffles from the fridge about 30 minutes before I'm ready to serve so some it's easier to cut and spread. 

Wait until you see all the fabulous Super Bowl treats my fellow #SundaySupper bloggers are sharing today! We're having a Tweet chat tonight at 600 CST to talk about our favorite Super Bowl treats. I'll be checking in between plays...my Texans didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year...and the Ravens are our division rivals, so we're cheering for San Francisco. Of course, we're geeked about all the fabulous commercials and Beyonce's halftime performance too! While you're waiting for kickoff, go check out these fabulous treats:

#SundaySupper Super Bowl Appetizers & Snacks:
#SundaySupper Super Bowl Main Dishes:
#SundaySupper Super Bowl Desserts:
#SundaySupper Super Bowl Tablescape:  10 Tips For A Winning Superbowl Buffet Table fromAn Appealing Plan

54 comments:

  1. For many years, my mother always bought my grandmother a Hickory Farms cheeseball at Christmas time because she loved them so. I think I'll make her one of yours next time I visit. I am sure she will be thrilled! Easy to see why your family always requests this!

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    1. The heat is very much in the background, but feel free to leave out the Tabasco if she's not into even mild heat.

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    2. Oh, no! We are from New Iberia, Louisiana, home of Tabasco which is made on nearby Avery Island. I think your recipe is perfect just as is. But thank you!

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  2. I'm a huge fan of cheeseballs. This one with the ham is great because it is like a meat and cheese tray rolled up into a ball. Yum!

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    1. That's why I call it All American...ham & cheese is definitely that!

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  3. Love cheeseballs and the little ones are so cute!! Great recipe! I bet they taste so good! Yum!

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    1. If you can make it a day ahead, the flavors are even better after overnight in the fridge!

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  4. I love the idea of a few make ahead party recipes! Your cheeseball sounds like a hit...and a wonderful classic that will never go out of favor!

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    1. I always pick one appetizer that I can make ahead...makes party day prep less stressful.

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  5. I love the idea of cheeseball truffles! That way everyone gets their own and no double dipping!

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    1. It makes it much easier to grab and go, but sometimes time is short and I just make one large cheese ball.

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  6. I like the bite sized cheeseballs. I remember one of my relatives making these years ago. Great game day recipe share!

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    1. You can make them really small so you can just pop 'em. These are 2-3 bites...

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  7. I love Cheese Balls! SO fun and great for dipping. Yum!

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    1. Fun...yummy...and quick to make! Perfection in my book!!

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  8. Yum! Love the bite sized cheese balls! Thanks for sharing in our Super Bowl #SundaySupper!

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    1. Looks like the bite-sized cheese ball truffles are the most popular option. Either way, have fun!

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  9. The cheese ball truffles are so cute and a great serving idea!

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    1. Yeah...maybe the minis are best for you, Jen. That way, you can claim some as "just for you!"

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  11. Yummm! I love the idea of making the small cheese ball truffles: perfect for a party! Also - random side note...the sturdy cracker phrase definitely reminds me of an episode of How I Met Your Mother... "I gave you one thing to do Marshall, one thing!" "One thing? One thing? Wow. Really? So, I guess that gouda just walked itself right through the door, sliced itself up, and arranged itself in a perfect semi-circle around not three, not four, but FIVE different kinds of sturdy, cheese-bearing crackers." "YOU'RE a sturdy, cheese-bearing cracker!"

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    1. I've never watched that show...I'm lame and watch very few series. I do love Curb Your Enthusiasm and Girls on HBO, though...and True Blood.

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  12. Those cheeseball truffles look incredible! Yum!

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  13. Oh, I love a good cheese ball recipe! Will definitely be using this one soon.

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    1. It is really good...as in people keep going back for more.

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  14. What an awesome Cheese Ball! Love this recipe!

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    1. I'm surprised I haven't shared this recipe in here so far...we have it every Thanksgiving and during several games each season.

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  15. This looks great! I love cheese ball - fantastic recipe! ~ Bea @ galactosemia in PDX

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    1. This basic framework is pretty adaptable for food allergies/restrictions. Have fun with it!

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  16. Nothing beats a good cheese ball, I haven't had one forever!!

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    1. Make one for your next party...everyone seems to love them, and they're a snap to make!

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  17. This is the perfect superbowl recipe. Cheese and ranch and I am there! I mentioned you in my proper blogging etiquette post today as one of the great proper bloggers out there. Feel free to share the article if you wish. http://whatsfordinner-momwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com/2013/02/blogging-etiquette-and-how-to-market.html

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    1. Aren't you sweet...thanks! This recipe has evolved over the years...the ranch was added a few years back. It was originally seasoned with garlic salt and Worchestershire sauce.

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  18. I love the bite size cheese balls!

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  19. My mom used to make something like this--for some reason, it's never on my radar when making appetizers, but I need to fix that--it was definitely always a hit!

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    1. Yeah...they're kind of old school, but we enjoy them a lot. I make one for Thanksgiving every year, and it's gone in no time flat.

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  20. Replies
    1. These are so easy...a few ingredients in the mixer! The only part that takes time is to make the minis and roll into the toppings. One big cheese ball is quicker, but not as "fun"!

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  21. I have never liked cheeseballs, but appreciate the work and creativity they take! They look great!

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    1. I don't like the orange ones...homemade ones with cream cheese like this are basically a thick dip that you can spread on a cracker.

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  22. You would totally find me hoarding these in a corner somewhere. No sharesies.

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  23. This cheese ball has everything in it! Yum!

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  24. OH MY. Love this idea. Love the nuts and love the individual idea too! Nothing like plopping a pile of flavored goodness on my plate please!

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  26. Oh I love cheese balls, and these cheese ball truffles are so cute! I need to try that next time I make it.

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  27. Cheese Balls! Totally retro. Looking forward to next football season to try it out.

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  28. I love cheese balls and these with the ham and spring onions and tobasco sound perfect for Superbowl!

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  29. Ooh, this looks easy and yumm! Always thought making cheeseballs was complicated. Will give this a try. Nice !

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  30. Love cheeseball, especially with your twist of ranch and ham! I think I may do bacon instead ;)

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  31. Love cheeseball, especially this twist with ranch and ham! Although I would probably use bacon instead ;)

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