Name: Football Cheese Ball
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 8 - 10 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 garlic clove; 1/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 c. fresh parsley, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish; 1 tbsp. roughly chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish; 1 tbsp. fresh dill, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish; 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature, diced; 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about 2 cups); 1 tbsp. sour cream; 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 tsp. paprika; Juice of 1/2 lemon; 1 tbsp. black pepper, plus more to taste; 2/3 c. packed light brown sugar; 1 lb. bacon; 1/3 c. walnuts or pecans; 4 slices white American cheese; Crackers, pretzel thins, and cut-up vegetables, for serving

Step 1On a cutting board, chop the garlic, then sprinkle it with the salt and mash it into a paste with a fork.

Step 2Transfer the garlic paste to a food processor along with the parsley, chives, and dill. Pulse until finely chopped, about 10 times. Add the cream cheese, Monterey Jack, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, lemon juice, and a pinch of pepper and process until well combined, about 30 seconds.

Step 3Transfer the cheese mixture to a sheet of plastic wrap and fold the plastic around the cheese. Use the plastic wrap to help form the cheese into a football shape. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with foil.

Step 4In a shallow dish, whisk together the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon black pepper. One at a time, press each slice of bacon into the sugar to coat both sides. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 5Bake until the bacon is browned at the edges and starting to crisp, about 25 minutes. Transfer the hot bacon to a wire rack to cool completely. (If it cools on the baking sheets it will stick.)

Step 6Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool.

Step 7Finely chop the bacon and nuts and combine in a large shallow bowl. Unwrap the cheese ball and carefully roll it in the bacon mixture to coat it completely. Transfer the cheese ball to a platter. Use clean hands or a piece of plastic wrap to gently reshape it into a football pressing in any loose bits as needed.

Step 8Using a sharp knife, cut the American cheese into ½-inch-wide strips. Place one strip across each end of the football, trimming as needed, and another strip lengthwise down the center. Cut four more strips about 2½ inches long and arrange them crosswise over the center strip to form the laces. If needed, use a small dab of sour cream to help the strips adhere. Scatter additional chopped herbs around the cheese ball to resemble turf. Serve with crackers, pretzel thins, and cut vegetables.

Ingredients

Directions

Football