Shelly's Recipe

BLUE CHEESE SPREAD WITH PECAN-AND-BACON TOPPING

Category: Spreads -- Cold

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (4 oz) pkg crumbled blue cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/8 tsp ground red pepper and garlic powder
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp dark brown sugar
Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
Assorted crackers or crostini

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl until blended. Stir in green onions, red pepper, and garlic powder until well blended. Press cheese mixture into a 2-cup glass bowl or a plastic wrap-lined mold. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

Combine chopped bacon, pecans, and brown sugar. Saute bacon mixture in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until pecans are toasted and bacon begins to crisp (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, and let cool.

Invert cheese mixture onto a serving plate. Gently press pecan mixture onto top and sides of cheese mixture. Serve with assorted crackers or crostini. Makes 6 to 8 appetizer servings