Smoky-Sweet Bacon Cheese Spread Recipe

"I created this recipe for a contest. Who doesn’t like smoky sweet salty flavors? This may be a mix of Mediterranean and Southwestern flavors, but they really work well together. Give this as a gift in a basket along with things to serve it with and perhaps a bottle of ground chipotle chile powder. You could include a pretty serving platter and spreading knife as well. You can make tortilla wheels or stuffed mushrooms with this too!"

Step by Step Method

Step 1

In a small bowl, cream together neufchatel and feta, scraping the bowl until well combined.

Step 2

Beat in chili powder and ground chipotle powder and adjust to taste.

Step 3

Scrape bowl and beat in bacon, olives, cranberries, and dates until well combined.

Step 4

Stir in last 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese.

Step 5

Put in a covered container and chill for at least 2 hours. The flavors will develop more the longer it sits. You can mold it by pressing plastic wrap into a bowl and pressing the spread into it, cover and chill, then turn out onto serving platter.

Step 6

To serve, spread into a pretty bowl on a platter or mound on a platter. Sprinkle with feta, chili powder and fresh chopped parsley. Surround with desired foods.

Step 7

For Tortilla Wheels, Spread this on flour tortillas, roll them up and tightly wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for a few hours until firm. Unwrap them, trim away ends and cut each roll into 8 slices crosswise to make wheels. You could try baking them too! I would try 400°F Place wheels on baking sheets and bake 15-20 minutes until browned.

Step 8

For stuffed mushrooms, hollow out mushrooms, you can add some chopped stems to the spread. Fill mushrooms with spread and bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes.