The Heavyset Cheese Ball Recipes

ITALIAN CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix the cream cheese, provolone, olives, roasted red peppers, salami, artichoke hearts and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until well combined. Chill until firm and the flavors have blended, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in the pine nuts. Serve with the crackers and garnish with the parsley.

SNOWMAN CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Thoroughly combine the cream cheese, Worcestershire, lemon zest, 3 cups Cheddar and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed. Transfer to a bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Roll the cheese mixture into three balls to form the base, body and head of the snowman. (They should be just over 4-, 3-, and 2-inches in diameter.) Roll the balls in the remaining 2 cups Cheddar to create a snowy exterior. Insert a 6- to 8-inch wooden skewer vertically into the largest ball; use it to attach the body and then the head of the snowman.
• Cut an inch off the tapered tip of the carrot and use it for the snowman's nose. Insert the asparagus spears into the body for arms. Use two olive halves for eyes, and the remaining four for buttons. Wrap the thinly shaved cucumber or celery around his neck to form a scarf.
• Serve the snowman on a platter surrounded by crackers.

NAME THIS DISH CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to crisp but still pliable, about 5 minutes. Remove 1 slice to a paper towel-lined plate. Continue cooking the remaining bacon until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 more minutes; remove to the plate. Halve the slice of less-cooked bacon lengthwise. Finely chop the remaining bacon.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the cheddar, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, a pinch of salt and the chopped bacon; beat until combined. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Form the cheese mixture into 3 balls (about 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches and 3 inches). Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, freeze the Monterey jack cheese 1 hour (this will make it less clumpy when grated). Grate the cheese on the small holes of a box grater. Gently press all over the cheese balls to coat completely. Put the 3-inch cheese ball on a small serving plate; insert a 4-inch wooden skewer into the middle. Stack the 2 1/2-inch and 2-inch balls on top, securing on the skewer.
• Press the currants into the top cheese ball for eyes; add a carrot nose. Use the halved bacon to make a scarf and add rosemary sprigs for arms. Place the pretzel crisp on top for a hat brim. Cut off about one-third of the olive so that it sits flat; place on top of the pretzel crisp for the hat. Serve with more pretzel crisps.