Recipe: Cheese Ball

It’s easier than you think to serve your own gourmet appetizer. Try this party staple at your next get-together.

Cheese Ball

(Makes 16 to 24 servings)

• 2 packages (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped green olives
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• Chopped pecans or almonds
• Stuffed olives (garnish)

Combine cheeses in mixing bowl and stir until blended. Sprinkle chopped onion, chopped olives, and seasonings over cheese. Stir until combined. Using your hands, shape mixture into round ball. Spread chopped nuts on waxed paper and roll cheese ball over them until covered. Wrap cheese ball in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or longer. Garnish with olives and serve as appetizer or party snack with crackers or party rye bread.

This recipe is from The Saturday Evening Post Fiber & Bran Better Health Cookbook by Cory SerVaas, M.D., Charlotte Turgeon, and Fred Birmingham.