Kris Larkin

OK . . . OK . . . I KNOW . . . CHEESE BALL . . . REALLY?!?!?  YES REALLY!  This Cheese ball (apple) is great tasting and  . . . it’s fun to make!  I love to have it ready at the beginning of my cooking classes or at a social gathering.  I just serve it with some wheat or multi-grain crackers . . . . really, almost anything will go well with it.  It works great to have something there that my guests can “nosh” on while they are waiting . . . for whatever they’re waiting for.

We made this in our Lark inn Cooking Class last October and it was a big hit.  Enjoy!

PREP: 15 MINUTES

CHILLING TIME:  2 HOURS

SERVES – 10 TO 12 APPETIZER SERVINGS

Ingredients:

8 OUNCES WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE, SHREDDED

1 (8-OUNCE) PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED

1 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

1/8 TEASPOON GROUND RED PEPPER

SMOKED PAPRIKA

1 ½ INCH CINNAMON STICK

1 BAY LEAF

Directions:

1. 1.     Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  Chill 30 minutes.
2. 2.     Shape cheese mixture into a ball, and make an indentation in the top to resemble an apple.  Chill ball 30 minutes.
3. 3.     Coat ball heavily with paprika; cover and chill 1 hour
4. 4.     Insert cinnamon stick and bay leaf into indentation to resemble apple stem and leaf.  Serve with assorted crackers or Cheddar-Pecan Shortbread leaves.

If this was interesting to you, visit my web site and check out a cooking class that works for you.

Thanks for reading!

Kris