Festive Olive Cheese Ball Recipes

OLIVE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Drain olives and place them on a paper towel to dry.
• In a small bowl, combine butter and sharp cheddar with a wooden spoon. Add flour, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix as well as you can with the wooden spoon, and then finish by combining with your hands. It will turn into a moist, dense dough that can easily be formed into a ball.
• With a small scoop, portion out 18 balls of tightly packed dough. My small scoop holds a little more than 2 teaspoons of dough when tightly packed. Roll each portion into a ball and place it in the palm of one hand. With the thumb of your other hand, press the dough ball to flatten it. Place an olive in the center of the flattened dough and mold the dough up around the olive. Give it a gently roll between your palms to finish. Place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheet - this 10" x 15" rimmed pan works perfectly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 400° F. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool on pan for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. These are best when eaten while still warm. Serve with homemade buttermilk ranch if you like to dip!

OLIVE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Stir in the olives and onions. Shape into a ball; roll in walnuts. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with crackers.

FESTIVE OLIVE AND CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Cut rosemary sprigs and arrange into a 10-inch wreath. Start by placing 1 sprig at a 45-degree angle with the tip facing outwards. Continue adding sprigs in the same direction until you have formed a full circle.
• Arrange clusters of mozzarella balls, olives, and tomatoes over the rosemary. Serve with toothpicks on the side.