Cheddar Horseradish Cheese Ball Food

CLASSIC CHEESEBALL

Steps:

• Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Add cheese, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, parley, garlic powder, oregano and pepper and mix well to combine.
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and gather the mixture into one lump. Lightly grease your hands and form the mixture into a round ball.
• Place the pecans on a plate. Hold the cheese ball in one hand and use the other hand to scoop the pecans onto the outside of the ball, pressing them in gently and turning the ball to coat all sides.
• Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Take it out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften just slightly. Serve with crackers, pretzels, vegetables or anything else you'd love to dip in cheese!

CELEBRATION CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic until blended. Divide into three portions. , For Pine Nut-Pesto Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and pesto until blended. Stir in basil. Chop 2 tablespoons pine nuts; stir into cheese mixture. Shape into a ball; roll in remaining pine nuts. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm. , For Horseradish-Bacon Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and horseradish until blended. Stir in bacon and onion. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm., For Salsa Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture, tomato paste and salt until blended. Stir in cilantro, onion and jalapeno. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm. , Can refrigerate up to two weeks. Serve with crackers.

HORSERADISH CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Process cheddar, cream cheese, and horseradish in a food processor until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Place cheese mixture on a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap and use paper to shape into a ball; chill until firm, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Toast pecans on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until slightly darkened and fragrant, 6-8 minutes. Let cool; coarsely chop. Roll cheese ball in nuts. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. DO AHEAD: Cheese ball (without nuts) can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Nuts can be toasted 2 days ahead. Roll cheese ball in nuts 30 minutes before serving.

BACON HORSERADISH CHEESE BALLS (+ 3 OPTIONAL HOLIDAY DESIGNS!)

Steps:

• Mix the first 7 ingredients.
• Combine with cream cheese and fold in cheddar cheese and bacon forming into balls. Roll in nuts. Refrigerate a couple hours or over night.
• Serve with crackers or vegetables.
• Optional Decorations:.
• Pine-cone - Shape into a pine cone and layer almonds slices up.
• Wreath - Mound into a circle forming a wreath, by placing a drinking glass in center of serving platter. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture around glass, just touching outer edge of glass, to form ring; smooth with spatula. Remove glass. Garnish with additional parsley by pressing dried parsley into the cheese. Arrange pieces of red bell peppers in sets of three for the berries and add fresh parsley for the bow.
• Snowman - Make 2 balls one slightly smaller then the other. Wrap in plastic and chill till firm. Spread with softened whipped cream cheese using your hand to smooth out and fluff like snow. Decorate as you would a snow man. Dill or rosemary for arms, capers for button and eyes, carrot cut to make a nose and red pepper cut for mouth, scallions for the scarf or use your imagination. Most of all HAVE FUN! And enjoy your guests responses.

WHITE CHEDDAR AND HORSERADISH SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer until light and airy. Mix Cheddar cheese, horseradish, and mustard into cream cheese until fully incorporated. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.