Festive Olive Cheese Ball Food

FESTIVE OLIVE AND CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cut rosemary sprigs and arrange into a 10-inch wreath. Start by placing 1 sprig at a 45-degree angle with the tip facing outwards. Continue adding sprigs in the same direction until you have formed a full circle.
• Arrange clusters of mozzarella balls, olives, and tomatoes over the rosemary. Serve with toothpicks on the side.

OLIVE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Drain olives and place them on a paper towel to dry.
• In a small bowl, combine butter and sharp cheddar with a wooden spoon. Add flour, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix as well as you can with the wooden spoon, and then finish by combining with your hands. It will turn into a moist, dense dough that can easily be formed into a ball.
• With a small scoop, portion out 18 balls of tightly packed dough. My small scoop holds a little more than 2 teaspoons of dough when tightly packed. Roll each portion into a ball and place it in the palm of one hand. With the thumb of your other hand, press the dough ball to flatten it. Place an olive in the center of the flattened dough and mold the dough up around the olive. Give it a gently roll between your palms to finish. Place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheet - this 10" x 15" rimmed pan works perfectly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 400° F. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool on pan for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. These are best when eaten while still warm. Serve with homemade buttermilk ranch if you like to dip!

FESTIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Put the three cheeses in a food processor, and buzz until blended.
• Add the remaining ingredients -- except for the sunflower seeds and parsley -- and buzz to blend well.
• Put the cheese mixture in the fridge for two hours so it firms up.
• While cheese mixture chills, toast sunflower seeds until they are golden, then remove from pan and allow them to cool. Then stir together seeds and parsley. Set aside.
• Remove cheese mixture from fridge and shape into a ball or log (you may need to wear latex gloves to do this).
• Spread sunflower seeds and parsley on a sheet of waxed paper, and roll cheese ball/log in this combination.
• Serve with crackers, crudités and or small toasts.

FESTIVE OLIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese and margarine until well blended. Mix in the green olives and garlic powder. Shape into a ball, and roll in chopped walnuts to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving, but preferably overnight. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

FESTIVE CHEESE BEACH BALL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine two packages of cream cheese and blue cheese until smooth. In a another large bowl, combine two packages of cream cheese and cheddar cheese; set aside. In a third bowl, beat the remaining cream cheese until fluffy; add the onions and garlic., In a 2-qt. bowl lined with plastic wrap, layer each portion of cream cheese. Invert onto a serving platter; remove plastic wrap and shape into a ball. , With a sharp knife, score eight sections on the ball. Sprinkle each section with one of the toppings and press lightly. Serve with crackers.

MAUREEN'S FESTIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine, cheeses, mayonnaise, worcestershire sauce, and salts. Blend until smooth. If too stiff add a bit more mayonaise. Add olives and shape into ball. Combine dried beef and fresh parsley and roll ball in the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. For a difference you can roll in crushed walnuts or pecans.
• Serve with crackers.
• Note - this is best with freshly grated cheese - not the package of pre-shredded stuff, the moisture content is needed.

FESTIVE FETA CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add feta cheese and dressing mix; mix well. Shape into a ball. , In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, bacon and dill weed; roll cheese ball in Parmesan mixture. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm. Serve with crackers.