Italian Cheese Balls Food

ITALIAN CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, flour, salt, vanilla, lemon zest and eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites and sugar. Pour into the cheese mixture, and mix until well blended. Roll into balls about the size of a golf ball, and place in a glass baking dish.
• Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown on top.

HOLIDAY CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine first seven ingredients. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. , Shape into a ball; roll in walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Serve with toasted French bread slices, crackers and/or vegetables.

CHEESEBALL WITH ITALIAN SEASONINGS

Steps:

• 1. Stir the seasoning packet (you can also use the generic brands) into the softened cream cheese, roll into a ball, then roll in chopped scallion greens or chopped nuts. Refrigerate for at least an hour before use.
• 2. Serve with an assortment of crackers or breads or with veggies.

BRUSCHETTA CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place the cheese spread ingredients into a food processor and pulse until mixed. (Do not mix until completely smooth)
• Scoop the mixture out onto a sheet of plastic wrap, and shape into a ball or oval.
• Refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight.
• Just before serving, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the breadcrumbs.
• Cook the crumbs until golden brown, stirring continually, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator, unwrap, and roll in the breadcrumbs.
• In a small bowl, mix together the garnish ingredients.
• Place the cheese ball onto a large platter and then spoon the garnish on top.
• Grill the bread slices until lightly browned on both sides, then brush with olive oil.
• Arrange the bread slices around the cheese ball and serve immediately.

ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.
• Add rest of ingredients and lightly mix, but mix well, with hands. Form into 20 meatballs.
• Place them on lightly oiled cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle tops lightly with coarse ground pepper.
• Bake in 400º over for 20-25 minutes. *Mine always take 22 minutes in my oven.
• If they are still just a little pink inside, it's ok if they are to simmer in a sauce, otherwise bake til done.
• Simmer in spaghetti sauce on low for 5-10 minutes.
• *You can omit the parmesan and use parsley instead if italian seasoning, and use these meatballs for other recipes.

SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You will need to use your hands to really thoroughly combine all of the ingredients.
• Use a cookie scoop and then roll mixture in the palm of your hands to form into 1-inch balls.
• Place on prepared baking sheet leaving a little room in between balls to allow for expansion.
• Bake for 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.
• Serve immediately with ranch, marinara, or bbq sauce.

ITALIAN CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a shallow dish combine 1 tablespoon of the chives, 1 tablespoon of the basil, and the parsley; set aside.
• In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and Fontina cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
• Beat in the salami and finely chopped roasted red sweet pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons chives, remaining 2 tablespoons basil, the pepper, and garlic.
• Form into a ball (or log).
• Roll ball in herb mixture. Wrap and chill cheese ball for 4 to 24 hours.
• Serve with water crackers or baguette slices, and a nice bottle of Italian wine or sparkling Spumante!
• Makes twelve 2-tablespoon servings.

ARANCINI DI RISO: SICILIAN RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Make the risotto by adding the rice to the heated oil in a large saute pan, and stirring quickly for one or two minutes. Quickly add the white wine while stirring. With the heat on medium high, begin adding the chicken stock a little at a time, and continuously stirring, until all the stock has been used and the rice is cooked, yet still al dente (I have a risotto recipe here on my blog). Taste; adding salt if necessary. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Add an egg to the risotto and mix well, then refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
• To make the arancini:
• Place some rice in your hand and flatten it into your cupped hand, but don't make it too thin, or the filling will ooze out. Place a piece of mozzarella, and/or a little tomato sauce (and peas, if using) in the center of the cupped rice. Next, close the rice around the filling and shape into a ball.
• If you'd like to make conical shapes, flatten the bottom of the ball, and make the top more pointed.
• Now, roll the shaped arancini in flour, then roll them in the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Set aside until all of the rice has been used.
• Heat some oil in a deep fryer, pot or wok until it is very hot. Add the arancini, and cook quickly, turning often so they don't brown too much on one side. If serving immediately, fry for a few minutes, so the cheese will melt in the center. Remove from oil and place on paper towel lined plate or tray. (If you'd like to serve them at a later time, remove them quickly after just browning; then, just before serving, place them on a baking sheet and re-heat in the oven at 400ºF for 5 to 10 minutes.)
• Serve plain, or place on tray with a little tomato sauce and garnish with basil. You can also serve them with a little extra sauce on the side, although this isn't done in Italy.

GARLIC CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the garlic, sour cream, cheeses and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
• Place the chopped pecans on a plate. Form the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in the chopped pecans until the outside of the cheese ball is completely covered.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
• Serve with crackers.

ITALIAN FRIED CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together pecans, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, and onion. Shape into golf ball size balls.
• Heat oil in an electric deep fryer or heavy saucepan to 365 degrees F ( 170 degrees C). Add cheese balls to hot oil, and fry until brown. Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature. Transfer to an 8 inch square baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, mix together tomato juice, tomato soup, and cumin. Cover cheese balls with sauce. Sprinkle additional cheese on top, if desired.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes.

CREAMY ITALIAN MINI CHEESE BALL APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Beat first 3 ingredients with mixer until blended. Divide in half. Add peppers to half, and onions to remaining half; mix each until blended.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
• Shape each mixture into 24 (1-inch balls); roll in nuts.

ITALIAN CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix the cream cheese, provolone, olives, roasted red peppers, salami, artichoke hearts and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until well combined. Chill until firm and the flavors have blended, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in the pine nuts. Serve with the crackers and garnish with the parsley.