FESTIVE CHEESE BALL

Festive Cheese Ball image

Provided by Leggy Peggy

Time 2h10m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 ounces neufchatel cheese, softened and cubed
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces blue cheese, softened and cubed
1/4 cup mayonnaise, preferably whole egg and unsweetened
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon chile powder
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons stuffed green olives, finely chopped
2 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Steps:

Put the three cheeses in a food processor, and buzz until blended.
Add the remaining ingredients -- except for the sunflower seeds and parsley -- and buzz to blend well.
Put the cheese mixture in the fridge for two hours so it firms up.
While cheese mixture chills, toast sunflower seeds until they are golden, then remove from pan and allow them to cool. Then stir together seeds and parsley. Set aside.
Remove cheese mixture from fridge and shape into a ball or log (you may need to wear latex gloves to do this).
Spread sunflower seeds and parsley on a sheet of waxed paper, and roll cheese ball/log in this combination.
Serve with crackers, crudités and or small toasts.