Recipe: Spicy Cheese Balls (bite-size, using cream cheese and cheddar, make ahead)

SPICY CHEESE BALLS
"The cheese ball monster can become a scary thing. Often store-bought (with the accompanying sense of the unknown), large, and lurking in the middle of a plate, it traditionally doesn't inspire affection and usually doesn't get eaten. But you can tame the cheese ball by making it yourself and whittling it into baby cheese balls. This lets guests approach each smaller spicy and tasty ball on an individual basis."



1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Put the cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, parsley, cayenne and black peppers, and salt in a food processor. Process for 5 to 10 seconds, until well blended. Scrape the mixture into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

TO SERVE:
Spread the chopped walnuts on a plate.

Shape the cheese mixture into 35 to 40 small cheese balls, each about the size of a large marble. Roll each cheese ball in the walnuts, coating the outside (you may have to press a little to ensure sticking).

Serve the cheese balls on a large platter. You can put a toothpick in each ball, but you could also surround them with crackers and let guests use their hands. It all depends on what kind of party you're having.

Makes 35 to 40 bite-size cheese balls
Used by permission to Recipelink.com from Harvard Commons Press
Source: Party Snacks! by A.J. Rathbun