Best Holiday Cheese Log!

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Ahh, sweet childhood memories.  For most of my youth, my uncle owned and operated a cheese factory.  They made American processed cheese of the best variety, including an amazing swiss and bacon cheese that made amazing grilled-cheese sandwiches.  Naturally, I love all things cheese related–grilled cheese, cheesy potatoes, corn & cheese casserole; if it comes with cheese, my day is made.  (This proved unfortunate in Asia, where cheese in not a daily staple food.  I was quite traumatized to realize that cheese there cost a fortune. 😦 )

Anyway, I am getting off track (and now I want nachos…), but I thought I would share my favorite recipe for a holiday cheese log.  I actually started making this several years ago, but I made it again today for a family dinner.  It is just SO GOOD!  It takes a little bit of work, but the end result is definitely worth it if you enjoy cheese balls.  Great for Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties!

You will need at least one bottle of sesame seeds and one package of bacon total.

Smoked Cheese Log

1. 3/4 C (approx. 9-10 strips of thin sliced)–Bacon (crumbled or torn into small bits) (note that bacon bits don’t really work here)
2. 2 packages (16 oz total) — Cream Cheese (soft is best)
   
3. 1 & 1/2 C– Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded)
4. 2 TBSP–Sesame Seeds (toast them for additional flavor)
5. 2 TBSP — Fresh Chives (minced) (note that dried chives in a bottle don’t really work here)
6. 2 TBSP — Worcestershire Sauce
7. 1 tsp –Liquid Smoke (can be found at almost any grocery store, but sometimes it is hidden in strange places)

Directions: (refrigerate 8 hours +)

1. Put Sesame Seeds into the oven in a pan to start toasting.  Take out when they turn a darkish brown.
2. Cook the Bacon on the stove or in the microwave.  I usually use the microwave for 4 minutes.  Take it out and set aside until cool.  Crumble it when cool enough to work with.  
3. Take fresh chives, and mince them.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together Bacon, Cream Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Sesame Seeds, Chives, Worcestershire Sauce, and Liquid Smoke
5. Place mixture on Saran Wrap and roll into a log about 1-2 inches tall and wide.
6. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight if possible.
7. Cover in topping.

Topping

1. 1/2 C (approx. 6-7 strips of thin sliced)–Bacon  (crumbled or torn into small bits) (note that bacon bits don’t really work here)
   
2.  1/2 C–Sesame Seeds (toast for additional flavor)
3. 1 TBSP–Fresh Chives (minced)

Directions

1. Take cheese log out of refrigerator.
2. Mince Chives, Crumble Bacon, Toast Seeds for topping
3. Open Saran Wrapped log, and spread the topping up and down the log
4. Flip log over and repeat for each side.
5. Press topping in.
6. Serve with cracker of your choice!

Tags: cheese, new years, party, Treat