Smoked Beef Ball

By DiAne Gates

Photos by DiAne Gates

Cooking is just another venue to exhibit your creativity. This is my Mama’s recipe, but I couldn’t help but experiment this afternoon with this old favorite, and I love the outcome. Not only do we have parties and appetizers to think about, but the week of New Year’s, all those bowl games begin. And snack foods that can be prepared ahead of time are money!

Smoked Beef Ball

This beef ball can be prepared several days ahead and reshaped to look like new the next day.

Ingredients:

3 8-ounce cream cheese, softened

3 jars of dried beef or 3 packages of smoked beef (I prefer smoked beef)

2 medium onions, grated and drained

3 or 4 cloves garlic minced fine

Hot pepper sauce to taste (I used about 7 or 8 good shakes)

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon mustard

1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

1 teaspoon roasted cumin

2 or 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro. If you don’t care for cilantro, use parsley

Red pepper flakes to taste. I use about three or four shakes

Zest of one lemon

Instructions:

Chop beef in blender until flakey. Reserve half to coat ball.

Mix all ingredients with the exception of the reserved beef and cilantro. (I use an electric mixer)

Stir cilantro into cream cheese mixture

Chill about 2 hours. Form into 2 balls and roll in remaining chopped beef. Serve on tray with party rye bread or Tricots.

Wrap in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Serves about 30 adults. Bet those New Year’s Eve and football fans will clean the tray!