Maureens Festive Cheese Ball Food

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.

CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, cayenne, Worcestershire, scallions, lemon juice and some salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is almost smooth; you still want a few bits of cheese in there. Remove with a rubber spatula to a piece of plastic wrap and wrap up the cheese mixture. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Shape the cheese mixture with your hands into a Christmas tree/cone using the plastic wrap to keep it together. Mix the chopped parsley and dill together on a plate or work surface. Coat the shaped cheese in the chopped herbs.
• Transfer the cheese tree to the center of a platter. Decorate with the pomegranate seeds as ornaments. Serve with buttery 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.

CELEBRATION CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic until blended. Divide into three portions.
• Pine Nut-Pesto Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, 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 wrap; chill until firm.
• Horseradish-Bacon Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and horseradish until blended. Stir in bacon and onion. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
• Salsa Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, beat one portion of cream cheese mixture, tomato paste and salt until blended. Stir in the cilantro, onion and jalapeno. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
• Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Serve with crackers.

FESTIVE CREAM CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix Cream Cheese, Ham, Onions, Worcestershire Sauce & Salt.
• Form the mixture into a Ball or Log and roll in the nuts or Bacon bits.
• Chill 2 hours.
• Serve with Crackers Enjoy!

MAUREEN'S CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Put cheese ball in the refrigerator for two hours or longer to let season (if possible).

FESTIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Blend cream cheese, cheddar cheese, peppers, onion, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice until well mixed.
• Shape into a round ball.
• If mixture is too soft to form, refrigerate.
• Roll in chopped nuts.
• Serve in centre of decorative plate, surrounded by an assortment of small, firm crackers or rusk.