Cheese Ball Ingredients: What's Inside And Why

Cheese balls are a mixture of soft and hard cheeses, whipped smooth with added flavourings, which are then shaped into a ball and rolled in nuts. The soft cheese is typically cream cheese, while the hard cheese can be cheddar, gouda, fontina, or even blue cheese. The flavourings can include garlic, onion, lemon juice, cognac, hot sauce, and spices, while the nuts can be pecans, walnuts, or almonds.

Cream cheese

Regular or low-fat cream cheese can be used, and it is best to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself for better flavour and texture. The cream cheese is mixed with other cheeses and flavourings, and this mixture is then formed into a ball and coated in nuts, seeds or dried fruit.

Spices and sauces

Spices

• Dried parsley
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Ground black pepper
• Paprika
• Smoked paprika
• Caraway seeds
• Red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper

These spices are typically dried and ground, providing a concentrated burst of flavour. They can be mixed and matched to create different flavour profiles, such as a smoky, spicy, or herbal cheese ball.

Sauces

• Worcestershire sauce: A classic addition to cheese balls, providing a tangy and savoury flavour.
• Hot sauce: Adds a spicy kick without overwhelming the other flavours.
• Mustard: Dijon or whole-grain mustard can be added for a sharp, pungent flavour.
• Lemon juice: Provides acidity and brightness to the cheese ball.
• Cognac, sherry, port wine, or whiskey: These alcoholic beverages can add depth and complexity to the cheese ball.

These sauces not only enhance the flavour of the cheese but also help to bind the mixture together, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

Nuts

When making a cheese ball, it's important to finely chop the nuts before coating. This will ensure the cheeseball is easier to serve and eat. You can use whatever type of nut you prefer, with pecans, walnuts, almonds and poppy seeds all being popular choices. The nuts should be mixed with a coating ingredient such as chopped herbs or spices. For example, a mixture of parsley and pecans or poppy seeds and walnuts.

If you are making the cheese ball in advance, it's recommended to wait to add the nuts until closer to serving so that they don't get soft.

Vegetables

Crudités are a classic sidekick to a cheese ball. Simple crudités include carrots and celery, but you could also try fancier veggies like fennel, cauliflower florets, and radishes. Celery sticks and thick radish slices are also a good choice as they are firm enough for easy spreading and dipping.

If you want to get creative, you could try serving roasted potato wedges with your cheese ball. Potatoes are a great vehicle for cheese, and you can enjoy them warm or at room temperature.

For a healthier option, serve your cheese ball with a crudité platter of raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, and peppers.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you could make a sandwich with the cheese ball as the spread and vegetables like lettuce, tomato, and onion.

So, there you have it! Plenty of vegetable options to accompany your cheese ball and create a delicious and balanced snack or meal.

Meat

Dried Beef

Dried beef, also known as chipped beef, is a popular choice for cheeseballs. It is a form of pressed, salted, and dried beef that has been sliced into thin pieces. It is usually sold in jars and can be found in the canned meat aisle of most grocery stores. Dried beef is often described as very salty, so it is not usually necessary to add extra salt to the cheeseball mixture. It is also recommended that you do not rinse dried beef before adding it to your cheeseball.

Bacon

Bacon is a great alternative to dried beef in cheeseballs. It can be used as a substitute for dried beef in the cheeseball mixture, or it can be used as a topping. Bacon bits are a popular choice for rolling cheeseballs in before serving.

Ground Beef

Another option for adding meat to your cheeseball is to make cheese-stuffed meatballs. This involves dividing ground beef into portions, flattening them, and placing a cube of cheese in the centre. You then shape the beef around the cheese to form a ball, ensuring that the cheese is completely enclosed. These meatballs can be baked and served as an appetiser or main course.

Frequently asked questions