Cheeseball Recipe
A Great Hostess Gift | Cheeseball Recipe
Need a hostess gift, a gift for teacher, or something for your guests to nibble on before your holiday party? Well look no more.
Today I’m sharing a wonderful, versatile recipe for a cheese ball, cheese crock, cheese tree, cheese apple – you name it – this can be shaped into anything you desire!
The best part is this is a great gift from the kitchen for the kids to help make. There’s no cooking, so even the littlest hands can help. I like the flavor of this cheeseball – not too spicy but with just enough kick to add interest. It’s a good keeper, too – keep, covered, in refrigerator up to two weeks.
I have to thank friend and colleague, Carol Tabone, for the original recipe. This is an adaptation of her delicious offering.
16 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz container chive & onion cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper ****
1 bunch fresh parsley, leaves only, minced
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
Mix everything together. Chill for a bit until firm enough to shape.
**** Even easier: Buy Taco chesse, shredded, or Jalapeno cheese blocks and shred them yourself. Then don’t add additional pepper, unless you want more of a kick. Taste before adding.
Shape mixture into apple, or Christmas tree shape if you want. Roll in chopped parsley. For apple, make an indentation in the top with your finger and push a cinnamon stick in. Place bay leaves on either side of the stick.
For tree: after rolling in parsley, place pine nuts around for “lights”. Cut a tiny star out of a red bell pepper and place on top of tree.
Serve with apple wedges or crackers, or simply place the mixture into a decorative crock!
