Apple Cheese Ball

This recipe is part of my "Autumn Menu" for entertaining.

This cheese ball sounds odd, but I tried it as a 'fall harvest' entertaining idea and it was a hit with the people... It looked and tasted really good!

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 apple, cored, peeled (reserve peel), chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped green onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon apple juice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped nuts
2 tablespoon parsley

Set the cream cheese out an hour or so to soften. Cream the softened cream cheese. This means use a fork, beater, or hand mixer to beat the cheese into creamy submission. Combine chopped apple, green onion, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese, and apple juice into the softened cream cheese. Mix well. Chill for a few hours in the refrigerator.

Chop apple peel into fine pieces. Combine with chopped nuts and parsley on wax paper.

Form cream cheese mixture into a large ball and roll in peel/nut/parsley mixture.

Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and place in the fridge until ready to serve.  Place it on a nice plate with a spreader and serve with the crackers of your choice. I am big on Town House Crackers myself!

NOTE: This can be made with low fat or no fat cream cheese for a healthier treat.

 

I serve this with the Autumn Salad, Brunswick Stew and maybe a Dried Apple Stack Cake.