Appetizers

Creamy Cheese Ornaments

Servings: 24 ornaments

Not all ornaments are the same color, and neither are these charming cheese appetizers. Roll some in red pepper and others in green cilantro and toasty green pumpkin seeds.

Prep: 30 minutes    Chill: 1 hour

Amount	UOM	Description	Notes
1	8 oz. pkg.	cream cheese	softened
6	oz.	semi soft goat cheese or crumbled feta cheese
24		pickled jalapeno pepper slices	well drained (or small pimiento stuffed green olives)
½	C	dried sweet red pepper	finely chopped
½	C	snipped fresh cilantro
1/3	C	chopped toasted pumpkin seeds

1. In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese with the goat or feta cheese until smooth. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
2. Using a rounded tablespoon of the cheese mixture, form it around 1 jalapeno slice, completely enclosing the slice. Mixture will be sticky; moisten hands as necessary. (Chill mixture briefly if it becomes too soft to handle.) Repeat with remaining cheese and jalapeno slices.
3. Place shaped balls in shallow pan. Cover with plastic wrap; chill for 1 hour.
4. To coat, roll ⅓ of the balls in the red pepper, ⅓ in the cilantro, and ⅓ in the pumpkin seeds to coat, leaving some white showing, if desired. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours. Serve with appetizer picks.

Judy Gambill

Notes:

For snazzy borders, place red pepper, cilantro, or pumpkin seed pieces in rows; roll ornaments along the row.