IN Great Taste

by Yvette Zuniga Jemison Cheese Balls

for Holiday Entertaining

WHEN CREAM CHEESE and your favorite add-ins are blended together, you’ll easily create a popular party food—a cheese ball. Whether you add a cheese ball to a snack tray or serve it as a stand-alone treat, they’re ideal for casual gatherings and parties. You can go the traditional route with these make-ahead appetizers and shape them into a ball that is rolled in chopped nuts. For an updated twist that allows everyone to have their own serving, simply roll into bite-size portions and create picks with thinly sliced salami and cornichons. We’ve rounded up three of our favorite flavor combinations. Our white cheddar and walnut cheese ball gets a little kick from prepared horseradish. For a sweet-and-savory combination, serve the pistachio and goat cheese torte with sliced apples. For a bold flavor, try our smoked almond and cheddar cheese ball, which gets its smoky flavor from smoked paprika and smoked almonds.

As the busy holiday entertaining season approaches, master the art of making this retro hors d’oeuvre with a few tips. Use room-temperature cream cheese as your foundation. Your additional cheese should also be at room temperature for smooth mixing. Scoop the cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap, and use the wrap to help you shape it. Allow two hours for the cheese ball to become firm before coating with garnishes. For cheese balls that have been chilled overnight, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Create contrast between the creamy interior by serving your cheese ball with crunchy crackers, crisp vegetable sticks or apple slices.

White Cheddar and Walnut Cheese Ball

Servings: 8-10

½ cup walnuts 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1 teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 8 ounces white cheddar cheese, grated crackers for serving

1. In a medium skillet on medium heat, cook the walnuts, occasionally stirring, until toasted in spots. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed, blend the cream cheese, horseradish, lemon zest, black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes until well combined. Fold in the white cheddar cheese until combined. 3. Scoop the mixture onto the center of a large piece of plastic wrap. Lift all the corners of the plastic wrap and bring them together above the cheese mixture. Press the mixture through the plastic wrap to shape into a ball. Securely close the plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheese ball until firm, 2 hours and up to 1 day ahead. 4. Roll the cheese ball in the walnuts until completely coated. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving with crackers.

Pistachio and Goat Cheese Ball

Servings: 8-10

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ cup dried apricots, finely chopped ½ cup pistachios, chopped 1-2 sliced apples or crackers for serving

1. In a medium bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, blend the cream cheese, goat cheese, onions, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until well blended. Fold in the apricots until combined. 2. Scoop the mixture onto the center of a large piece of plastic wrap. Lift all the corners of the plastic wrap and bring them together above the cheese mixture. Press the mixture through the plastic wrap to shape into a ball. Securely close the plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheese ball until firm, 2 hours and up to 1 day ahead. 3. Roll the cheese ball in the pistachios until completely coated. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving with sliced apples or crackers.

We’d like to see which recipe you’ve made, so share with us on Instagram @insidenorthside and @y_delicacies.

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Smoked Almond and Cheddar Cheese Ball

Servings: 8-10

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated ½ cup smoked almonds Crackers or vegetable sticks for serving

1. In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer, blend the cream cheese, paprika, garlic powder and salt until well combined. Fold in the cheddar cheese until combined. 2. Scoop the mixture onto the center of a large piece of plastic wrap. Lift all the corners of the plastic wrap and bring them together above the cheese mixture. Press the mixture through the plastic wrap to shape into a ball. Securely close the plastic wrap, and refrigerate the cheese ball until firm, 2 hours and up to 1 day ahead. 3. When ready to serve, press the round end of the almonds into the top and sides of the cheese ball. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving with crackers or vegetable sticks.