That’s a Cheeseball Idea

Brent’s former colleague at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Michelle Buffardi, has written a fun and clever entertaining book with easy recipes for cheese balls that will be the hit of any party.

And she’s shared one with us!

 

Pineapple-Pineapple

Serves 15 to 20

 

The pineapple is a symbol for hospitality and friendship and serves as an image of welcome . . . not unlike the appetizer. Nothing will welcome friends better than a pineapple-flavored, pineapple-shaped appetizer.

 

Ingredients

2 bunches scallions

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

One 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained well

1 small jalapeño, cored, seeded, and diced

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin

1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt

2 cups pecan halves, toasted, for decorating

Crackers, for serving

 

 Instructions

Cut the green tops off the scallions; set aside. From the white parts of the scallions, chop 1 tablespoon and reserve.

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, pineapple, jalapeño, cumin, salt, and the reserved tablespoon chopped scallions until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, remove the cheese ball from the plastic, mold into a pineapple shape, and set it on a platter—it should look like an oval with a flat top. Arrange the pecans to look like the skin of a pineapple (you may need less than 2 cups, but choose the best-looking pecans to decorate the cheese ball). Stick the reserved green scallion tops in the top of the cheese ball to look like the crown of a pineapple.

Serve with crackers.

 

For more fun entertaining ideas, check out the book, Great Balls of Cheese.  Click here