Party season is upon us and for a quick hors d’oeuvre; nothing beats a box of crackers and a cheese ball. Of course, you can get it from the deli cheaper, but then those walnuts on the top are rancid, were never toasted in the first place and what’s more, they have softened up from sitting on the cheese too long; not only that but the cheese tastes funny. So make your own cheese ball! It will cost slightly more, but taste makes it all worthwhile. This amount makes exactly one cheese ball. As a hors d'oeuvre or as one of the ‘appies’ you won’t need more, not unless there is a large crowd. Almost any cheese ball or savoury cheese-tort recipe I tried in the past made more than needed. This will all go first because it is delicious and because it is just the right amount for a moderate group of people. Serve it with plain crackers.
CHEESE BALL
125 g light cream cheese [the small package]1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 red pepper, diced
1 tsp parsley
cooking oil for the hands
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• Place the cream cheese in a bowl and let it soften.
• Shred the cheddar cheese and add to the bowl.
• Add the lemon juice and the Worcestershire sauce.
• Combine ingredients well.
• Stir in the diced bell peppers.
• Chill the cheese mixture.
• In a non-stick pan, lightly toast the walnuts for a couple of minutes on medium heat.
• Keep shifting the nuts with a spatula to avoid burning.
• Remove pan from heat and let the nuts cool completely.
• remove the chilled cheese mixture from the fridge.
• Oil both hands and shape the cheese into a ball.
• Roll the cheese ball into the toasted walnuts.
