Queso de Bola Spread
Because the holiday season is already so stressful, there are some things that you should never do in December.
Getting married is one of them.
This of course is from first hand experience when eight years ago, three days after Christmas, I said “I do.” When I got engaged my then fiancé said “pick a date” and there was no doubt in my mind that we would get married around the Christmas holidays. I had visions of a string quartet playing Christmas carols at the wedding reception, pointsettias hanging around the ballroom and because my Mom was taking care of the catering, I asked for a Holiday themed menu including glazed hams and roast turkeys.
The stress started as early as September when the dressmaker told me that because I wanted a beaded dress, whatever my current weight was then was what my weight had to be at my wedding. There was no room to put on any holiday weight as this would mean major adjustments to the dress.
It was hard to enjoy engagement parties and holiday get togethers when every time I’d want to stuff myself silly I’d envision a little bubble over my head and inside was the dressmaker shaking his head saying “Tsk… tsk… I told you not to eat so much!”
The other thing you shouldn’t do in December is move house. Again, I should know from first hand experience. It took twelve hours, three moving men, two trips in a ten ton truck to move all our belongings to our new home. So you can imagine as well what a monumental effort it’s going to be to unpack everything. I look at all the boxes strewn across the house and think “Where do I start?!”
Given the limitations of working in a new kitchen and not being able to find half my equipment, I knew I had to pick something simple to make for this month’s Kulinarya Cooking Challenge. The theme decided on by Joy was Homemade Food Gifts. Who doesn’t love edible gifts?!?
Today I’m sharing a recipe for “Queso de Bola Spread”, which despite it’s simplicity is something I would love to receive myself. For those who aren’t familiar with it, Queso de Bola is more commonly known as Edam Cheese elsewhere in the world. These bright red balls make their appearance every Christmas time at many family tables.
As a kid, my favourite way to eat left over Queso de Bola was to cut slices of the cheese, place them on top of crackers and microwave them until the cheese turned golden brown. The Queso de Bola spread is a tribute to that little snack I used to gobble up during the holiday season. Forget the scent of decorated pinetrees, or the aroma of a roast turkey, nothing smells more like the holidays to me than that wiff of toasty cheese wafting through my kitchen.
Queso de Bola Spread
Queso de Bola Spread
This is such a simple dish to prepare, there are only four ingredients and all you need is a food processor to blend all ingredients. If Queso de Bola is not available, substitute parmesan cheese or even a sharp cheddar. If you are giving this as a gift, make sure to mark the jar so the recepient knows to keep this refrigerated. It will last at least two weeks refrigerated although I am pretty sure it will be finished before then. You can also make this to serve at a party – just spread on sliced french bread and toast before your guests arrive.
- 250 grams Edam Cheese, cut into small 1 cm cubes (if not available use parmesan or a sharp cheddar
- 50 grams butter, room temperature
- 75 grams mayonnaise
- 50 grams roasted peppers (capsicums) with skin removed
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend on high until the mixture comes together into a smooth paste. Place in sterilized jars.
- To serve, spread on toast and bake in a 200c oven until browned, around 10 minutes. Keep the spread refrigerated.
Trissalicious 
I will try this after I open our queso de bola! i was never sure how to serve and eat the cheese other than slice it and eat with ham in pandesal :)))
You are incredible, Trissa! I have just been transported back to my childhood kitchen, and boy does that Queso de Bola spread smell delicious! Thanks for another great recipe.
Happy Housewarming, Trissa!!!
People should be bringing YOU food!!! Did it cross your mind to maybe NOT participate in ONE of these challenges? I doubt it, knowing you. I cannot wait to see your house all set up…. but let me tell you…. I just bought a Christmas ball of red Edam cheese from a local maker. I thought it was called Edam cheese in a small red ball for Christmas! I love your title so much more. And, the recipe looks DEADLY. Mayo? Butter? Cheese? and ROASTED RED PEPPERS? Come on!!! Deadly. It would last ONE day here.
MUCH love and a big tight squeeze to you are you carry the weight of organizing your house through this season. Baby steps. One box at a time. Then a bath with candles and beautiful music. Then, another box.
🙂
Merry Christmas!!!!
XO
Valerie
my dad would LOVE this! his fav is queso de bola during Christmas lunch/dinner. thanks for the recipe!!
This looks so good with pandesal!!! And when I close my eyes, I can smell that Xmas morning in the Phil. with hot choco drink, warm pandesal and this cheesy spread with slices of hamon….
Love reading your posts Triss…always entertaining, and very visual! Would I LOVE to receive queso-de-bola as an edible gift? Oooh YES PLEASE! Sounds great and I love the colours too. just perfect on rustic bread. YUM!! happy Holidays my dear, and happy anniv in advance too. I would imagine it’s just round the cornah!!
wow, this sounds like a simple and yummy recipe. I’ve never heard of this before but I definitely want to give this a go.
I was a little skeptical about the idea of cheese spread until I saw your photo and saw the glory of it grilled and caramelised on bread. I haven’t tried microwaving cheese before, but have you tried blowtorching it? Hours of fun!
You did well to make such a lovely gift with limited provisions. And nice presentation, too. Hope you are settling in well and the dogs are happy 🙂
I used to think the red wax coating was edible… until I started eating it and realised it wasn’t. Hahaha! Read my KCC theme post Trissa, because I think it pretty much shows I am willing to eat anything. I’m such a glutton. ANYWAY your description of queso de bola melted on top of crackers is amazing..mmmm…..
O… M… G… I will be attending a wedding on the 28th of December, my brother in laws.
Yes, there is stress!
I adore the simplicity of the Queso de Bola, may make them a jar 🙂
Great photos! We’ve been trying to use our queso de bola since we just eat it with ham then it gets left in the pantry. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
cheese spread is so yummilicious…i looooveee cheese
good lord. finally a *savory* edible gift! I am a bit over the cookies recipes everywhere (not that I complain about eating ’em)
I’m MAKING this!
Cheese toast with leftover turkey… yum!
Well you’ve certainly made the best of your limited tools. This looks delicious and anyone would be lucky to get some in their Christmas stocking :).
Great advice…, I moved house once at Christmas time….. never again. What was I thinking!!! But this little recipe… is one great idea. Thanks for sharing.
I love the ideal of giving homemade Christmas gifts especially when they are food. Gifts from the kitchen are more personable and can’t come from the store. I like the dry recipes mixes that people can use at later times during the year. But you can never go wrong with a homemade gift from the kitchen.
So true … we have TWICE had to move around the holidays and it was no fun … things got lost that were needed to fulfill family traditions, boxes and space were slap dash emptied and arranged, the menus were grossly simplified … BUT we were family and we were all together. I hope your family is all together, despite the confusion, Trissa!
Merry Christmas! Keep it simple and try to relax a bit!
Hehe at microwaving it until the cheese turns brown! 😛
This sounds delicious! I’d love to receive some! Yes, December is hectic enough as it is without added stress! Merry Christmas and Happy anniversary!
Oh, I know! Does anything really smell better than toast and cheese? It is comfort food of the highest form 😀
*kisses* HH
Trissa, this is one of my favorite snacks also! Mom makes it with the tinned pimento and it is absolutely delicious on toast! My favorite christmas memories involve sneaking lots and lots of slices of queso de bola. Good luck with the unpacking – just think of it like opening presents!
i love cheese spread with pimiento and what better way to include a Christmas staple like queso de bola to make another favorite spread! Great idea, I’m sure this will delight the recipient of this homemade spread!
There’s nothing more I love than spreads like these. I can eat these all day long every day! I can’t wait to try out your recipe.
First of all, Happy Anniversary, Trissa! Secondly, congrats on finally moving into your new home, yay!
This post is so timely since I just bought queso de bola today. I would never have thought to make this spread but now I’m so going to try this! Yes, I will and I might even take it to my parents’ house for Christmas. Thanks for this!
This looks simple enough for me to attempt! Mmm cheese spread… I’m thinking of the world of possibilities…
Trissa, this post is amusing. I guess things we should do in December are many. Just name one, cook dishes you enjoy. I think you did. This simple dish is very appetizing !
OMG I am loving this recipe. I may make this for my aunts. It looks wonderful.
I never know Edam cheese is also known as Queso de Bola. I always thought Edam cheese is originated from Holland. Love the red for the festive season. My parents in law will love this spread. Thanks for sharing.
I completely understand your wedding reasoning, though – poinsettias are absolutely gorgeous 😉
I’ve never heard of a cheese spread like this before, and now I wish it had been part of my childhood too! Looks incredibly tasty, and a nice break from all the sweetness of Christmas baking.
I would love to receive this as a Christmas Gift any day. I love Queso De Bola. It reminds me of when I was little. What a perfect way to end the year with such a delicious Christmas treat.
You must like to complicate your own life Trissa, good luck with all the unpacking eh eh …
I absolutely adore queso de bola but I never made it at home; will give it a try 🙂
Ciao
LOL! I love your stories…the queso de bolla would be prefect over a leftover ham sandwich! Mmmm…