Party Cheese Ball

I LOVE party food. We usually host a Christmas party every year just so I can have a good excuse to make all the appetizers I love (okay, that's not the only reason, but its a big one!). I love birthday parties, baby showers, holidays, and get togethers just because that's another excuse to make some sort of dip or spread that I wouldn't normally make. Most of them call for things like cream cheese or other not so easy to find, not so cheap ingredients so they are on the "special" list! But what better time of year to start busting out those recipes than around the holidays? So despite my best efforts during most of the year to keep this blog low on recipes calling for cheese or cream cheese, you'll probably get several over the next couple weeks. First off, a classic cheese ball. I'm making this for our Thanksgiving appetizer this week. This is my grandmother's recipe--you could easily do variations on it by adding bacon pieces, etc.

Cheese Ball
2 8oz blocks cream cheese, softened (I think homemade would work fine)
8 oz cheddar cheese, grated (I have also used gouda)
1 1/2 Tbs very finely chopped onion
1 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs Worchestershire sauce
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 clove minced garlic (opt)
1/2-1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning to personal taste. Using hands, shape into a ball, wrap in plasic wrap, and chill. Roll in chopped nuts just before serving.

*No, I did not find the little Social butterfly crackers overseas! This picture was from the States! I sometimes add a little garlic to the cheese ball if I'm using a milder cheese. My grandmother would NEVER put garlic in it! She is not a fan! Me, on the other hand...I think everything is better with garlic!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!