CHEESE BALL

Cheeseballs are kind of retro. In fact, they date back to 1801 according to Michelle Buffardi, the author of Great Balls of Cheese. "According to legend," writes Ms. Buffardi "the first cheese ball in recorded history was made in 1801 by Elisha Brown, Jr. on his farm and presented to President Thomas Jefferson" at the White House. It's said to have weighed 1,235 pounds and was referred to as the "mammoth cheese." This cheese ball won’t weigh 1,235 pounds, but it will deliver a mammoth amount of sweet and savory tastiness. And, by the way, like so many retro things cheeseballs have made a big come-back. So go for it!

Ingredients

1-1/2 packages (12 oz.) cream cheese

1 small can crushed pineapple (well drained)

2-3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp. green onion, diced

3-4 Tbsp. ham, chopped

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients together.

2. Form into a ball and chill.

3. Roll in chopped pecans.

4. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers.

Ingredients

1 lb. bonesless, skinless, chicken breasts

1 lb. bacon

1 20-oz. can pineapple chunks

¾ cup teriyaki sauce

¾ cup brown sugar

Toothpicks, soaked in water for at least an hour

Directions

1. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.

2. Drain the juice from the can of pineapple chunks.

3. Combine the pineapple juice and teriyaki sauce in a resealable bag.

4. Add the chicken pieces.

5. Seal and refrigerate for at least an hour, turning occasionally.

6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

8. Cut the strips of bacon into thirds.

9. Wrap each piece of chicken with a strip of bacon and roll in brown sugar.

10. Push a toothpick through a pineapple chunk and then through the bacon-wrapped chicken.

11. Place on prepared pan.

12. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, turning the bites once. (Don’t overcook or the chicken will be dry. I think it helps to temp them and start the broiling at about 150 degrees. Between the few minutes of broiling and the carryover cooking it will take them to the desired 165 degrees.)

13. Turn on broiler and broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes per side until bacon is nice and crisp. Be careful with the broiler. May want to be sure rack is in the center of the oven to avoid them getting too brown to fast.

14. Best served right away.