Hot Pepper Cheese Ball

Getting ready for holiday or football appetizers?  A cheese ball is one of the most basic appetizers you can serve.  And you can customize it to suit you tastes.  This recipe came from my favorite magazine, All Recipes.  The reason it is my favorite is that they give variations on the basic recipe and for those of us who have trouble thinking outside of the box, this can be very helpful!

This time I made this cheese ball straight up.  But one of the suggestions I'll try next time is to add a teaspoon of prepared horseradish for an extra bite.  This not a spicy hot cheese ball, you are simply adding some pepper jack cheese to the mix.  Try substituting more pepper jack if you like it spicier.  Use regular or reduced-fat cream cheese and cheeses.  Use walnuts, pistachios, or almonds instead of pecans, or even toasted sesame seeds.  Add hot sauce, or cayenne...........An added plus, you can make this up to a week ahead of time...simply wrap in plastic wrap until ready to serve.  Let set at room temp for about an hour for easier dipping.

HOT PEPPER CHEESE BALL

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp mayo
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley

In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, onion and garlic powders, mayo, and Worcestershire.  Add the 3 cups of shredded cheeses.  Shape mixture into a bowl, then wrap in plastic wrap and let chill one hour.

Mix nuts and parsley.  Roll ball in mixture. 

Recipe Source:  All Recipes Magazine, Dec/Jan 2014, p. 63