I look forward to this simple, traditional cheese ball every year. It has been served during family Christmas Eve parties since before my time. The ingredients are few and inexpensive, and might be made year-round, but I reserve this one special appetizer for the holidays only to maintain its specialness. I love to serve Ritz crackers with the cheese ball to bring out its savory flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ (8 ounce) packages cream cheese: 1 piece (softened)
- smoked beef: 1 pack (2.5 ounce pack, chopped, thinly sliced)
- pimento-stuffed green olives: 1 can (2.25 ounce can, chopped)
- Vidalia or other sweet onion: 1 piece (minced)
- dashes Worcestershire sauce: 2 piece (to taste)
- walnuts: 1 cup (chopped)
Metric Conversion
Stages of cooking
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Mix the cream cheese, beef, olives, onion, and Worcestershire sauce together in a bowl until evenly blended. Keeping the mixture in the bowl, scrape it into a semi-ball shape. Cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
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Place a large sheet of waxed paper on a flat surface. Sprinkle with walnuts. Roll the cheese ball in the walnuts until completely covered. Transfer the cheese ball to a serving plate, or rewrap with waxed paper and refrigerate until needed.
