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Smokey Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Meatballs

Nov 21, 2015 · 11 Comments

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Ditch the chips and grab some Game Changing Flavors this football season! Enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Football Party Prize Pack, get great savings and ideas for delicious snack hacks at GameChangingFlavors.com.

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One of our running themes on our site lately has been that “Simplicity is it’s own virtue,” and as a result I’ve been writing a lot about easing prep time, along with tips and tricks for the perfect holiday celebration without breaking one’s schedule. However, with football season here, both the devil and the fun is in the details, from debating the finer points of the game, to memorizing long lists of statistics and analysis, to the trays of game food whose only purpose is to accentuate the enjoyment of the game.

Yes, football season has always been a big deal in my house, and as the food blogger in the family the merry task of preparing the menu for our game parties, naturally, falls to me. For such events, the order of the day is simple, hearty and fun. “Eat drink and be merry,” as the proverb goes, “For tonight…our team takes to the field!” Well, not quite like that, but you get the drift.

Living the Gourmet: Smokey Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Meatballs | #MezzettaMemories #ad

When the big games roll in, or one of the family’s favorite teams is playing a particularly important round, and family and friends have gathered round the television, I like to use the occasion to test out slants on crowd favorites. After all, keeping things fresh is key to keeping the parties going.

Today for example, I decided rather merely serving Smoked Blue Diamond Almonds as a side to a larger spread of ‘finger food,’ I would instead use them in a recipe for an appetizer – Crusted Chicken and Blue Cheese Meatballs. This is a recipe I particularly love for game days, since its combination of crunch underscored by that quintessential smokey flavor that positively oozes winter and football makes these meatballs perfect game day food.

To start things off, chop up a 6oz can of Smoked Blue Diamond Almonds in the food processor, and set them aside. Then process about three cups of fresh baby spinach and combine it with the blue cheese, eggs, breadcrumbs, and ground chicken, and mix it well. Then, once you have prepared the egg wash as shown below, it’s time for the ‘fun’ part – rolling the meatballs. Since this is more of an appetizer or side dish recipe, I prefer smaller meatballs.

Now, once you’ve rolled your meatballs, coat them in the egg wash and then roll them in the chopped nuts as shown below, and then bake them for about a half hour, and you’re done.

Living the Gourmet: Smokey Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Meatballs | #MezzettaMemories #ad

Living the Gourmet

Yields 10

Smokey Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Meatballs

10 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. ground chicken
  • 6 oz. Smoked Blue Diamonds Almonds – crushed
  • 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 lb. blue cheese - crumbled
  • 1 egg plus splash of water for egg wash
  • Honey for dipping
  • Garnish for plate – whole almonds and blue cheese pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
  2. Place the almonds in a food processor chop and set aside.
  3. Place baby spinach in a food processor and chop.
  4. Combine blue cheese, ground chicken, chopped spinach, eggs and breadcrumbs in a large bowl and mix together well.
  5. Prepare the egg wash.
  6. Roll the mixture into preferred sized meatballs dip in the egg wash and then roll in the chopped almonds.
  7. Place the meatballs on a baking dish and bake for 25 – 30 minutes depending on the size of the meatballs you make.
  8. Serve with honey for dipping.
7.8.1.2
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What are some of your favorite game day recipes? We would absolutely love to hear from you.

Enjoy with Love,
Catherine
xo

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Appetizers almond breeze, almonds, appetizers, blue cheese, chicken, game day, holidays, meatballs, nuts, poultry, side dish, smokey

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim Henrichs says

    22/11/2015 at 1:09 pm

    OH my gosh these look fantastic!!
    Reply
  2. Dottie Sauchelli-Balin says

    23/11/2015 at 3:15 am

    Dear Catherine, Wow, these look very good...a definite recipe for a game day. I love blue cheese and mixed with the meat and the nuts, they not only look so nice but must be delicious. Thanks for sharing..I usually do not watch the games but my niece and nephew love the Steelers and this would be lovely to serve to them... Have a beautiful night... Dottie :)
    Reply
  3. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    23/11/2015 at 1:22 pm

    Such a delicious appetizer Catherine. Almonds + blue cheese = heaven! We are a football family too, and I am also the cook! Glad to add something new and yummy to add to my game night repertoire!
    Reply
  4. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    23/11/2015 at 2:42 pm

    Catherine, this is so creative and I can only imagine what a robust flavor the nuts will add to the blue cheese meatballs- Yum!
    Reply
  5. marcie says

    23/11/2015 at 4:07 pm

    What a unique way to use the almonds, Catherine! These flavors sound incredible, and this would be a huge hit at any party!
    Reply
  6. Stephanie says

    23/11/2015 at 7:41 pm

    Honestly, I don't love meatballs, but these seriously look incredible! Those smokey nuts sound awesome here!
    Reply
  7. Lisa @ Low Carb Yum says

    30/11/2015 at 1:12 pm

    What a great idea to use smoked almonds in the coating! I may have to give these a try on game nights.
    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    25/08/2016 at 10:40 am

    This looks amazing!!
    Reply
  9. Katie |Healthy Seasonal Recipes says

    25/08/2016 at 12:49 pm

    Wow! These look and sound so yummy! I love that you were able to "sneak" some spinach in there! And the combination of almonds and blue cheese really take these over the top. These are a perfect healthy appetizer!
    Reply
  10. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    25/08/2016 at 2:01 pm

    Dear Catherine, So - I love football season but only for it's eats! I mean just look at these balls! One bite and I'd be hooked as I'm so loving the blue cheese, almond combo you have going on - and what a delightful way to enjoy them dipped in honey! I usually am the one taking a vegetarian type dish to a football get-together - but I'd leave the vegetarian dish for others and enjoy this if I had the choice! XO
    Reply
  11. Michelle says

    25/08/2016 at 7:38 pm

    You had me at blue cheese! These sound amazing!
    Reply

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