Healthier Weekend Appetizer
I’m going to create a HWA blog post every Friday it’s the Healthier Weekend Appetizer. Each Friday watch for a fun recipe that is going to make you feel good about serving either for party or to change up the same old salad before dinner.
Because blue cheese has such a strong flavor you don’t need very much of it in this recipe, which saves on calories. Be sure to include a few veggie sticks (celery, carrot, red bell pepper) on the tray with the cheese ball along with some lower fat crackers. I like using gluten-free rice crackers because you can have about 15 of them for maybe 140 cal. I know you’ll love this unique cheese ball appetizer!
Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball
INGREDIENTS:
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 wrap. 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.
Nutritional Information
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Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams, Recipe from Cooking Light