Irresistible Summer Sausage Cheese Ball: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy Holiday Entertaining
The harmonious blend of savory summer sausage, a rich medley of four cheeses, and the fresh zest of green onions and chives elevates this festive cheese ball to an extraordinary appetizer. Prepare it effortlessly and watch it vanish in moments!
The holiday season, with its vibrant energy and joyous spirit, ushers in a time for abundant entertaining. Whether you’re hosting close friends, cherished family, or a delightful mix of both, the heart of these festivities invariably revolves around one central element: the food! It’s the universal language of celebration, bringing people together and creating lasting memories.
The Irresistible Pull of the Kitchen: Where Guests Naturally Gather
It’s a phenomenon many hosts experience: no matter how carefully you arrange your entertaining space, everyone eventually gravitates towards the kitchen. The warmth, the aromas, and the palpable excitement of food preparation create an undeniable magnetic pull. Years ago, I embraced this natural inclination, deciding to lean into it rather than fight it. Now, when I host, I strategically scatter an array of tantalizing food and drink options throughout the kitchen. This thoughtful arrangement allows guests to mingle freely, explore various culinary delights, and truly make themselves at home as they nosh their way around the room.
Among the myriad of party foods, one item consistently steals the show and garners widespread adoration: the meat and cheese tray. In recent years, charcuterie boards have become a chic and celebrated staple in restaurants and home entertaining alike. There’s a certain artistry in composing a visually stunning and flavor-rich cheeseboard, and it’s an endeavor I genuinely relish when guests arrive. Honestly, I could easily transform a well-curated cheeseboard into a satisfying meal all on its own!
The Secret to Success: Featuring Quality Summer Sausage
Every seasoned hostess understands that incorporating high-quality summer sausage into holiday appetizers is a surefire way to elevate any party from good to unforgettable. The rich, savory flavor and satisfying texture of summer sausage add a distinctive depth that complements a wide range of cheeses and other accompaniments.
Johnsonville Summer Sausage: A Timeless Tradition of Flavor
When it comes to excellence, Johnsonville’s Summer Sausage stands as a testament to enduring quality. Their original recipe has been meticulously crafted and perfected for over 70 years, a tradition that ensures consistent, delicious results every time. For those unfamiliar, summer sausage is a type of hard, dried, and smoked sausage, akin to salami in its preparation, yet uniquely capable of being stored without refrigeration. This makes it an incredibly convenient and versatile ingredient for entertaining, as it can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed at room temperature.
The Johnsonville Way is more than just a philosophy; it’s a commitment. From a dedicated team tirelessly working to create the finest sausage in America, to the careful selection of choice cuts of meat and a masterful blend of flavors and spices, every step is geared towards perfection. The creation of Johnsonville Summer Sausage is a deliberate process, taking anywhere from 24 to 48 hours from inception to its flawless finish. This dedication to craft results in a product that not only tastes incredible but also carries a legacy of culinary excellence, making it a proud centerpiece for any festive spread.
Just recently, I had the pleasure of creating the most utterly delightful cheese ball using Johnsonville Summer Sausage, and it quickly became the star of my cheeseboard. Its simplicity in preparation belies its rich, complex flavor, making it an ideal addition to any gathering.
Crafting the Perfect Charcuterie Board: Tips for Visual & Culinary Appeal
Assembling a stunning cheeseboard is an art form driven by personal taste and creativity. While I often maintain a consistent selection of core elements, I also love to experiment and introduce new components to keep things exciting. Here are some essential tips for creating an eye-catching and palate-pleasing charcuterie board for your next get-together:
- **The Foundation:** You don’t need a specialized cheeseboard. For larger gatherings, a simple large cutting board or even an elegant cookie sheet works wonderfully as a canvas.
- **Strategic Placement:** Utilize small bowls for wet items or those prone to rolling. Think briny pickles, marinated olives, savory artichoke hearts, or a zesty Giardiniera. Place these bowls strategically at opposite corners or points of interest on your board to create balance and visual appeal. Your star cheese ball can be placed directly on the board as a centerpiece.
- **Freshness & Flavor:** Incorporate fresh elements like crisp grapes, which offer a refreshing counterpoint to rich meats and cheeses. I always include at least two varieties of Johnsonville Summer Sausage, perhaps an Original and a Garlic flavor, alongside a diverse assortment of cheeses – from creamy bries to sharp cheddars and robust blues.
- **A Touch of Sweetness:** I adore adding a hint of sweetness to my cheese boards. For this particular arrangement, I included some homemade sugared pecans, which offer a delightful crunch and caramelized flavor. Sugared cranberries are another fantastic option, providing a beautiful pop of color and tart-sweetness. These sweet components beautifully balance the savory notes of the meats and cheeses.
- **Elevating with Herbs:** The final flourish for any cheeseboard is the addition of fresh herb sprigs. Rosemary, thyme, or even basil not only add a lovely aromatic quality but also introduce an element of elegance and natural beauty that truly takes the entire presentation up a notch.
Doesn’t that just make you want to dig right in and savor every bite?
For serving convenience, you can either arrange your selection of breads and crackers directly onto the board or, as I often prefer, keep them in an inviting basket positioned conveniently alongside. This allows guests to easily customize their bites without crowding the main display.
Beyond the Cheese Ball: Creative Summer Sausage Skewers
While I was assembling the magnificent cheeseboard, I couldn’t resist creating a few delightful and bite-sized appetizers in the form of short skewers. These are not only incredibly easy to prepare but also offer a wonderfully colorful and convenient presentation, perfect for guests to grab and enjoy.
Such an effortless way to add a touch of elegance and variety to your spread!
A classic skewer combination features a thick, savory chunk of summer sausage, paired with the juicy burst of half a grape tomato, a firm piece of New York White Cheddar Cheese, and a briny green olive. This quartet of flavors and textures creates a miniature explosion of deliciousness in every bite. Feel free to experiment with other ingredients like mozzarella balls, cucumber slices, or different types of olives to match your personal preference or holiday theme.
Mastering the Summer Sausage Cheese Ball: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now, let’s dive into the star of the show and learn how to create this absolutely amazing Summer Sausage Cheese Ball! It’s simpler than you might think and incredibly rewarding.
The journey to this delectable appetizer begins with high-quality Johnsonville Original Summer Sausage. I start by slicing it fairly thin, which makes the next step easier. Then, I julienne the slices into thin strips before finely chopping them into small, manageable pieces. This ensures an even distribution of the rich summer sausage flavor throughout the cheese ball.
The other core ingredients include softened cream cheese, a flavorful triple cheddar shredded cheese blend (or your favorite blend), fresh green onions for a mild oniony bite, and finely chopped chives for their delicate flavor and vibrant color. The softened cream cheese is crucial for achieving that smooth, spreadable consistency that makes a cheese ball so appealing.
The process is wonderfully straightforward: the chopped summer sausage, vibrant green onion, and softened cream cheese are expertly whipped together until thoroughly combined and smooth. This creamy mixture is then shaped into a ball and rolled in a delightful coating of the triple cheddar cheese blend and fresh chives. This exterior not only adds another layer of flavor and texture but also creates an appealing visual contrast. Once coated, the cheese ball should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for at least an hour, or until it’s perfectly chilled and firm enough to serve. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes the cheese ball easier to handle and serve.
This magnificent cheese ball can be presented as the proud centerpiece of a sprawling cheeseboard, surrounded by an array of crackers, fruits, and other delights. Alternatively, it stands perfectly well on its own, nestled on a simple plate and encircled by an assortment of your favorite crackers – ready to be spread and enjoyed by all.
Stress-Free Entertaining: The Beauty of Make-Ahead Appetizers
The absolute best part about all these incredible summer sausage appetizers, from the magnificent cheese ball to the delightful skewers, is their fantastic make-ahead potential! The ability to prepare these delicious treats well in advance means that when your guests arrive, you’re not trapped in the kitchen. Instead, you’re free to relax, mingle, and genuinely enjoy the company of your loved ones, creating truly memorable moments without the last-minute rush. This approach to entertaining allows you to be a guest at your own party!
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Print Recipe
Summer Sausage Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 2/3 cup Johnsonville Original Summer Sausage finely chopped
- 2 green onions thinly sliced (white and light green parts)
- 1 cup triple cheddar shredded cheese (for rolling)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chives finely chopped (for rolling)
Instructions
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In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the finely chopped summer sausage and sliced green onion. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
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Using clean hands, gently form the cream cheese mixture into a cohesive ball.
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Lay out a generous piece of plastic wrap on a clean surface. Carefully place the cheese ball in the center of the plastic wrap.
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In a separate small bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and the chopped fresh chives. Mix them thoroughly to create an even coating blend.
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Sprinkle the cheese and chive mixture liberally over the cheese ball. Gently rotate and press the mixture into the cheese ball until all sides are completely covered. Wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour (or longer) prior to serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the ball to firm up.
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When ready to serve, unwrap the Summer Sausage Cheese Ball and place it on your chosen serving platter or charcuterie board. Surround it with an assortment of your favorite crackers, bread slices, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Nutrition
Where to Find Johnsonville Summer Sausage and More Inspiration
To explore more delectable recipes and engaging videos featuring Johnsonville’s Summer Sausage, I highly recommend visiting www.SummerSausageStory.com. You’ll find a wealth of culinary inspiration for various occasions. What’s more, their convenient online store allows you to have this exceptional summer sausage delivered directly to your doorstep, ensuring you’re perfectly stocked for all your holiday entertaining needs.
This content is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text expressed herein are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine experience and appreciation for their products.