Food Friday-#10

Today I want to share some cheese ball recipes with you.  Each recipe is easy to make and tastes delicious.  The first recipe is a Christmas favorite at our house....even for those who don't normally eat oysters!!!

Oyster Ball

Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
• 1 tin of smoked oysters
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. onion salt
• 6-8 drops of Tabasco Sauce (we like it spicy so I always add more)
• Chopped parsley flakes or pecans

Directions:
Soften cream cheese.
Wash, drain and chop smoked oysters.
Add oysters, lemon juice, onion salt and Tabasco Sauce to softened cream cheese.
Form mixture into a ball and place on wax paper.  Roll ball in parsley or chopped pecans.
Wrap ball in wax paper or Saran Wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve with your favorite crackers.

Parmesan-Cream Cheese Ball

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

Using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in the bacon and green onions. Add the black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper if using. Using a rubber spatula, gather the cheese mixture into a rough ball. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and scatter the parsley all over. Transfer the ball to the plastic wrap. Tightly wrap the cheese ball in the plastic wrap making sure the parsley adheres, twisting at one end to form a tight ball. Chill the ball for at least 3 hours. When ready to serve, remove the plastic and place the ball on a serving plate. serve with assorted crackers and vegetables.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Ingredients: 

• 1-1/2 packages (12 oz) cream cheese
• 1 small can crushed pineapple (well drained)
• powdered sugar (to taste- approximately 2-3 Tbsp.)
• green onion (optional-to taste, approximately 2 Tbsp.)
• chopped ham (optional-to taste, approximately 2-3 Tbsp. You can use deli meat ham)
• chopped pecans (about 1 cup worth)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together.
Mash into a ball and chill.
Roll in crushed pecans or slivered almonds.
Refrigerate until served. Serve with crackers.
Enjoy!