Cheese balls or cheese logs are an attractive addition to an appetizer table. They're easy to make with various combinations of cream cheese plus a few other ingredients, then rolled in chopped nuts. Here's a recipe for a party cheese ball followed by more appetizer recipes.

Preparation -
Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the pecans plus the other ingredients. Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll in the remaining 1 cup pecans. Wrap in foil and refrigerate for several hours before serving. A food processor can be used for this recipe.

• 1 pkg. softened cream cheese (8 oz.)
• 1 can (6oz.) crabmeat - drained, flaked and picked clean
  
• 1/2 cup mild taco sauce
• 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

• 2 cans lump crab meat - (6 oz. each) - drained, flaked and picked clean
• 2 pkgs.(8oz. each) cream cheese, regular or low-fat - softened
• 1 jar (3 oz.) diced pimentos
• 1/3 cup finely chopped white sweet onion
• 2 garlic cloves - crushed
• 3 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 3 T. hot sauce.
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Sour cream to thin (optional)

Preparation -
Mix all ingredients together. Blend well or process in a food processor. Chill for about one hour before serving. Add a small amount of sour cream for a thinner dip.

• 4 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1 can (6.5 oz.)minced clams
• 2 tsp. finely chopped onion
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• Tabasco pepper sauce - a few drops
• 1 T. mayonaisse
• 2 or 3 T. finely cut fresh parsley

Preparation -
Soften the cream cheese. Add the minced clams and chopped onion and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well blended. Refirgerate to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with assorted snack crackers.

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, regular, low-fat or fat free
• 4 oz. regular, low fat or fat free sour cream
• 1/2 box regular or sugar-free vanilla instant pudding
• 1/4 cup skim milk

Preparation -
Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together. Mix the vanilla pudding into skim milk. Combine with the cream cheese/sour cream mixture. Refrigerate until serving. Tor a thinner dip, stir in a small amount of skim milk. Serve with fresh fruit.

• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) light cream cheese
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup prepared pizza sauce
• 2 T. finely chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced pepperoni

Preparation -
Blend the cream cheese with the and Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Spread the mixture in the bottom of an 8" or 9" glass pie or cake pan. Top with half of the mozzarella, then the pizza sauce, then then remaining mozzarella, then the chopped bell pepper & diced pepperoni. Bake in a preheated oven at 350º for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm with snack crackers or corn chips.

Printer Friendly Version

Layered Taco Dip

• 1 - 16 oz. can refried beans
• 1 pkg.(4 oz.) taco seasoning mix
• 1/4 cup green chilies - finely chopped
• 1/4 cup. black olives - finely chopped
• 1 small onion - chopped
• 2 tomatoes - medium size, chopped
• 8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
• 1 avocado - medium size, mashed (optional)

Preparation -
Mix the taco seasoning and refried beans together. Spread the mixture in a 9" glass pie pan or similar dish. Layer the other ingredients, in the order given, on top of bean mixture. Microwave on full power of for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes. Serve warm with corn chips or tortilla chips.

Printer Friendly Version

Smoked Salmon Spread

• 1 can (15 oz.) red salmon
• 8 oz. cream cheese, regular, low-fat or fat free - softened
• 1 T. prepared horseradish
• 1 T. finely chopped onion
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1 T. finely chopped chopped parsley

Preparation -
Drain the can of salmon. Flake the salmon. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the flaked salmon, cream cheese, horseradish, onion, lemon juice and liquid smoke. Mix until well blended. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. Serve with wheat crackers or melba rounds.

Printer Friendly Version

*Candy*

*Holiday Drinks*

*Other Appetizers*
Jalapeno Poppers, Buffalo Shrimp, Crab Melts, and more

To serve your holiday dips and spreads....

Pfaltzgraff "Winterberry" Sleigh Chip & Dip

Pfaltzgraff "Winterberry" Tidbit Bowl Set w/Rack