The Perfect Recipe for Watching the (Cheese) Ball Drop

We want to help you celebrate the New Year in style! As 2017 looms ahead, this 70s classic is making a comeback. From its humble beginnings as a bar snack in Wisconsin taverns, 2016 was proclaimed to be Year of the Cheese Balls. We have a feeling, however, that you didn’t get your fill of this cheesy wonder. That’s why we propose the following: celebrate the dawn of 2017 by not only watching the ball drop, but feasting on one as well. While cheese balls can run the gamut, from sweet to tangy blue to Southwestern inspired, we chose a classic 70s inspired recipe: Nutty, sharp, and with a hint of spice, this cheese ball will wow, whatever your New Years plans may be.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz Ben’s Cream Cheese
4 oz Murray’s Aged English Cheddar, grated
1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. Blis Gourmet Hot Pepper Sauce (available in Murray’s stores)
1/2 green bell pepper, minced
3 scallions, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c Murray’s Pecan Halves, chopped (available in Murray’s stores)
Z Crackers Sea Salt & Olive Oil

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl, combine Cream Cheese and grated English Cheddar.
Mix in lemon juice, garlic powder, hot pepper sauce, green bell pepper, scallions and salt until well combined.
Form mixture into a ball and refrigerate for 30 min.
Roll chilled ball in chopped pecans.
Optional to refrigerate after, prior to serving.

Serve with Sea Salt & Olive Oil Z Crackers.

February 19, 2014December 10, 2015

Fondue It Better: How to Throw A Fondue Party

Like to customize your food? Fondue offers a wide range of options. There are numerous ways to change up the recipe each time. Never have the same fondue twice!

It’s easy. Choose your cheeses, 3# in any combination, follow the recipe, get fondu-in’!

*Pro Tip: When choosing your cheese selection for a fondue, it’s best to choose at least one alpine cheese into your mix. Try a classic like Gruyere or Emmentaler, or anything in the “Go Nutty” section.

Basic Recipe

3 Pounds Of Cheese (Mix and Match)

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

1 Cup Beer or Wine

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1 Garlic love

Coarsely grate the cheeses and toss with the cornstarch. Heat the wine or beer with lemon juice over medium heat. When hot, add the cheese mixture a handful at a time until melted. Add black pepper to taste. If serving in a fondue pot, rub the pot with a clove of garlic. Set the pot on its stand over a low flame. Pour in your melted fondue.

Step 1: Choose Your Cheese!

Choose your cheese to create a customized fondue blend.

Go Nuts:

Challerhocker

Brown Butter|Butterscotch

Appenzeller

Roasted Nuts|Spicy

Fontina

Truffels|Grassy

Get Fancy:

Etivaz

Deep Fruit|Intense nuttiness

Vendeen Bichonné

Rich|Mushroomy

Gabietou

Break Boundaries:

Klaverkaas Estate Gouda

Caramel|Brothy

Gorgonzola Cremificato

Yolky|Creamy

Tickler Cheddar

Step 2: Booze Cruise!

Grab something boozy to and an extra kick to you ‘due

Beer: Any beer works, choose based on what you like to drink. Going for complexity? Try an IPA. Looking for deep and rich? A stout will do wonders. A little bit delicate? A hefeweizen is perfect.

Wine: Choose whites if you’re looking for mild and sweet notes. Opt for reds for richer, berry notes.

Liquor: Don’t replace the wine or beer with hard liquor. Instead, take a shot (or two) to change up the flavor profile.

Step 3: Dip In!

Get Fondu-in’! Don’t be scared, dip right in!

Bread & Crackers

Cured Meat & Sausage

Pickles & Vegetables

Wanna learn more about cheese? Check out our “Cheese Course” video channel: vimeo.com/channels/cheesecourse.

December 19, 2013January 31, 2018

Getting Baked: An Easy Baked Brie Recipe for the Holidays

Cooking for the holidays couldn’t get any easier than this withthe Brie Baker Gift Set. I’m all about spending hours in the kitchen, cooking with friends and eating lots of cheese but the cheese biz is hectic this time of year — not much time to spend in the kitchen! After long days in cheese land, finding the right dish to bring to holiday festivities can be a bit challenging.

It needs to be:

assortment_brie_baker_1 — Brie Baker Gift Set

1. Mostly Cheese…. Do I need to explain?

2. Cheap and Easy… I love my friends but gotta watch the wallet!

3. Impressive…. Because I got a cheese rep to keep up, ya know?

Sometimes you’ve gotta go with Betty Crocker, but it’s gotta look Martha Stewart. There are a couple of ways to bake a wheel of cheese, but this year we got our hands on a new piece of cookware that is perfect for the job. In fact, I love this guy so much, I sent my mom the “Brie Baker Gift Set” which comes with the cheese and Fig Jam.

This stuff is versatile — a great savory early party snack, or sweet after dinner indulgence.

Here is what you need:

1. Grab A Brie Baker 2. Choose A Wheel of Cheese

In Bright Murray’s Red! We went with Camembert.

3. Get Jammin’

Fruity Anarchy in a Jar Savory With Tomato Jam Luscious Fig Jam

4.Toppings!

Go nuts, keep it savory or sweeten it up.

5.Bake That Brie!

Pop that wheel in — nice and snug. Spread that jam on thick!

Top with some cherries. And some Marcona Almonds.

Pop it in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

Grab a crispy baguette, rip off a chunk and get dippin’. Couldn’t be easier, and you now look like a culinary mastermind. This dish is great for the lazy college students heading home for the holidays looking to impress everyone at family dinner. Or a soccer mom looking for an effortless dish to bring to that holiday party. Even better, it’s a great project for the little ones… let the kids choose the toppings and go nuts! And don’t forget, it’s a great gift.

And that’s that. You are now officially a Brie Baker!