The Cheeseball Situation

Have you ever been to a party where said cheese ball was promised, only to be met with disappointment and deflated expectations? You know what kind of ball I’m talking about. It’s florescent orange and speckled with questionable red flecks and symbolic slivered almonds. Ya, I’m not so convinced either. Enter the cheese ball situation…

I first encountered this cheese ball on my way home for Thanksgiving while scrolling through Instagram. Instantly, I knew this would be my contribution to the annual family meal. Little did I know, my humble ball would become the big deal, or dare I say it, the Big Cheese! I may have built it up a little bit, boasting about my expert cheese ball making skills the night before, but when it came time to keep my hungry guests happy before the bird was done, this ball wasn’t messing around.

One can only consume so much cheeseball in one sitting, am I right? The fam was more than happy to see the ball make an encour the night after and I was just as excited to set it out the second day as I was the first!

If you are wondering what showstopper to bring to your holiday parties this Christmas, this cheese ball is it:

Ingredients:

• 1 brick of cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup mascarpone cheese
• ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
• Minced fresh dill to taste
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• ¼ cup of toasted almonds (chopped)
• Seeds from one pomegranate
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat butter in pan
2. Add almonds to pan and stir until toasty and aromatic, set aside
3. Combine mascarpone cheese and cream cheese in a large bowl
4. Add in cheddar cheese and mix until fully combined
5. Add in toasted (cooled) almonds and chopped dill (you can add as much or as little as you like)
6. Add in salt and pepper to taste
7. Roll in a ball or any shape you desire and wrap with saran wrap, place in the fridge to chill
8. While the ball is chilling, carefully remove pomegranate seeds from the pith
9. When the ball is chilled, carefully roll in the pomegranate seeds (some seeds will have to be gently patted on the ball)
10. Garnish with a sprig of dill and serve with water crackers

Now, what is more festive than a ball of cheese?