by Laura Kleban

Created on: June 01, 2010

Cheese Ball Recipe

Every time I am invited to a casual picnic or small party I have to come up with some kind of appetizer to bring! Bringing an appetizer to a party is an easy way to say thank you to your host or hostess for throwing the party.

Even if you are not a fabulous cook, the following recipe for making a delicious cheese ball appetizer should not overwhelm your cooking skills. There are not many ingredients, and the process to make the cheese ball is not difficult either, especially if you happen to have a food processor to help with the blending! The only down side to this recipe is that you have to plan a little in advance, because the cheese ball will need time in the refrigerator to chill.

Ingredients:

1 8 oz. tub soft cream cheese (Philadelphia Brand is my personal choice)

2/3 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

4 TBS. chopped banana pepper rings

2 tsp. banana pepper juice from the jar of peppers

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

8 Oz. chopped pecans

Plastic wrap

Wheat Thin Crackers (any flavor)

Method:

In a mixer or food processor, add the softened cream cheese and the shredded cheddar. Blend these together until well combined with a plastic paddle if possible.

Add the banana peppers, pepper juice, and Worcestershire sauce and blend for about 2-3 more minutes until well combined. You may need to scrape the cheese back down into the mixing bowl a few times to incorporate all of the cheese with the other ingredients.

On a separate plate, pour out your pecans.

Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a cutting board or counter. This is easier to do BEFORE you grease up your hands and form the cheese ball!

Grease your hands with a spray or two or cooking spray.

Take your smooth cheese mixture and form a nice round ball or a log shape with your greased hands.  Roll the ball or log in the chopped pecans that you previously layered out on a plate. Try to cover the ball evenly with the nuts.

Wrap the ball with the plastic wrap and refrigerate it for a few hours or a day before serving with Wheat Thin crackers or your cracker of choice. Enjoy!

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