By michael vivar
There are small bites like tapas and charcuterie boards that are meant to impress both eyes and palates at a soiree.
There are others one enjoys picking at alone during quiet evenings reading a book or being engrossed in a film on the couch.
The traditional cheese ball serves both those occasions to a tee. Try this simple 3-ingredient recipe and see which situation you prefer tasting it in.
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese grated 8 oz block cream cheese 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Use a kitchen mixer to combine the cheese and cream cheese until it's smooth yet still moldable.
Use a wooden spoon to scoop mixture into a sheet of cling film and shape into a ball.
Place wrapped cheese ball in freezer and let sit for around an hour until solid but not completely frozen.
Unwarp cheese ball then roll in chopped pecans. Serve to guests with crackers or enjoy by yourself.
Substitute cream cheese for rosemary-infused chevre for an herbal tang. Cheddar can be replaced with something milder like Emmentaler.
There are a variety of vegan cheese options on the market now. It's also possible to switch up the pecans with nut-free granola for those with allergies.
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