DATE, WALNUT, AND BLUE CHEESE BALL

DATE, WALNUT, AND BLUE CHEESE BALL image

Yield 14 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup (4 oz) crumbled blue cheese
1 Tbs nonfat buttermilk
5 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened
3 oz. 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
3 Tbs minced pitted Medjool dates (2-3 dates)
1 Tbs minced shallots
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 c minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 1/2 Tbs finely chopped walnuts, toasted

Steps:

1. Place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add dates, shallots, lemon rind, salt and pepper; beat at medium speed until well blended, scraping sides of bowl as necessary. 2. Spoon cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic warp. Form into a ball, using a rubber spatula. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap; chill overnight. 3. Combine parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap cheese ball; gently roll in nut mixture, coating well. Place on a serving plate. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.