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SubscribeDate, Walnut & Blue Cheese Log*
It’s been one of those weeks and I am so glad it is coming to an end. I am looking forward to the weekend with a passion. Between moving, unpacking and working a regular work week on top of that…well, I’m done. I have plans for catching up with good friends this weekend that I haven’t seen in far too long, a lunch date with my girlfriend Mi’a and on Sunday I plan on sleeping in. Late. 
Not to mention, I have this cheese log waiting for me in the fridge…and a cold beer ready to go for today after 5. Who needs dinner when you have cheese?? Plus, I just painted my fingernails a bright happy pink in celebration of Spring. It’s gonna be a great weekend — I know it!
I love Blue Cheese. I know it’s not for everyone, but if you are a blue cheese fan…this cheese ball will be your new favorite! I loved that it’s savory, but with a hint of sweet every so often from a bite of date! However the best part, it’s easy to make ahead for a party. You can make it the day before and be ready to go whenever your guests arrive. I served it with my favorite, Pretzel Crisps, but it would also be delicious with some fresh, warm french bread!
Date, Walnut & Blue Cheese Log
Yield: 1 Cheese Log (or ball)
Ingredients:
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
8 ounces low fat cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
10 dates, diced
1 shallot, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped walnutsDirections:
Beat first 3 ingredients in a stand mixer, until smooth.
Add dates, shallots, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; beat at medium speed until well blended, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.
Spoon cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a log, using a rubber spatula. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap; chill overnight.
Combine parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap cheese log; gently roll in nut mixture, coating well. Place on a serving plate.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
adapted from cooking light
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Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas — March 1, 2013 @ 8:00 am
Woo! Look at those dates. Loved seeing those in the ingredients, I bet they’re awesome with the cheese log. Have a great restful weekend!
Sue — March 1, 2013 @ 8:26 am
I love blue cheese! Adore it! This looks like it will be part of my regular recipe collection. Thanks for the great recipe.
Christine (Cook the Story) — March 1, 2013 @ 8:51 am
This looks and sounds fantastic! I can almost taste the rich tang of the cheese and all that fresh parsley. A perfect dish for these days in between Winter and Spring.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough — March 1, 2013 @ 9:27 am
Ohmahgoodness, this looks delicious. YUM!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite — March 1, 2013 @ 9:55 am
I love a good cheese log and this is looking good! Hope you are able to relax this weekend!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — March 1, 2013 @ 10:42 am
Everyone is going pink! I need to get on this. And on some cheeeeese loving soon.
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen — March 1, 2013 @ 11:12 am
I’m a HUGE blue cheese fan. I must make this!!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking — March 1, 2013 @ 11:41 am
I love all cheese, seriously. The combo of the dates with the sharp cheese sounds soooo good! Happy weekend to you!
Diana @ Sweet y Salado — March 1, 2013 @ 11:45 am
Yes! Definitely French bread… yay! I also painted my nails a sea foam green from the Drew Barrymore collection to get myself in a spring/summer mode. I’m so sick of winter!. Thanks for the recipe and the photos… gorgeous as always!
Joanne — March 1, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
To be able to just cut off a slice of this cheese log whenever I’m stressed/bored/happy/tired and shove it into my mouth…awesome.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com — March 1, 2013 @ 5:43 pm
We are looking forward to sleeping in as well! It’s been a pretty hectic week for us.
Love the addition of dates — so bursting with flavors!
Janet T. — March 1, 2013 @ 9:22 pm
My toenails are painted Wild Cactus which looks a lot like the parsley on your cheese log! Love your blog!
Ellie — March 1, 2013 @ 10:25 pm
I can’t wait to try this. I’m moving next month and I’ll try this as an app for sure!
DeAnna — March 2, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
Oh yeah! Luvs me some cheese log. Welcome back to Tampa. Tell Jorge that George says hi!
sweet-lab — March 3, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
I agree. Who needs dinner when you can have a cheese log, pretzels, and a cold beer?! Sounds like perfection to me.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist — March 4, 2013 @ 9:34 am
My mom makes cheese logs every holiday. I always end up eating half of it myself, haha.
Kelsey — March 4, 2013 @ 11:26 am
I hope your weekend was all you wanted it to be! This would be a great snack for a St. Patrick’s Day get together. It’s such a gorgeous shade of green on the outside!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs — March 4, 2013 @ 9:05 pm
Hello, deliciousness! This sounds great. I love the flavor pairings, and the fact that you used low fat cream cheese makes me feel a little better about eating more
ErinsFoodFiles — March 5, 2013 @ 10:03 am
You had me until “blue cheese”. Now, replace “blue” with “goat”, and I’ll eat the whole dang thing!
Paula — March 5, 2013 @ 5:16 pm
This looks delicious and what a great idea to spread it over pretzels!
Lauren — March 6, 2013 @ 2:54 pm
You’re right…who needs dinner when you have blue cheese? Heck, you even bothered to make something with the cheese, and that totally counts!
Really, I could just smother this on a giant baguette right now and be set for tonight
Tina | My Life as a Mrs — March 6, 2013 @ 4:12 pm
OH. MY. GOSH. I want this NOW. Mike would hate it (he’s one of “those” people that doesn’t liek blue cheese
) – you and I should make this for US when you come!!!
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