hors d'oeurves: a small bit of food usually served on a cracker or piece of bread; an appetizer
I fondly remember all sorts of old-fashioned hors d'oeurves spread throughout the house during my childhood for various celebrations. Simple Ritz crackers with Cheez-whiz, ham and olives on a toothpick, Ripple chips with Lipton's onion soup mix dip, spinach and shrimp dips, Welsh rabbit fondue, veggie trays and various cheese balls with crackers. When we were just married, my neighbor shared his recipes for a variety of appetizers such as chili con queso, guacamole, nacho cheese platters and salsa with chips. I decided to make a good luck cheese ball to ring in the new year using whatever I had around the house. When you take the first dip, make a wish. I made this up. Our doggie, Pontiac, absolutely loves this with carrots. He rarely begs for food, but he was whistling up a storm for more of this treat.
Ingredients
(substitute to please your palate)
2 pkgs. cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup Sicilian olive salad
(finely chopped red onions, big green olives, celery in Italian marinade)
1/2 cup crumbly blue cheese
(really makes it pop)
1/2 fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
assorted nuts, processed to bits
(almonds, macadamia, pistachio)
dash of Worcestershire sauce
dash of lemon juice
wax paper
assorted crackers
dash of good tidings and cheer
Lightly mix cream cheese and mayo until fluffy, but firm, with a hand mixer. Add Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice, then blue and parm cheeses, finally the onions and olive salad. Scoop into a ball with a big spoon (this is a little messy.) Cover the ball with spinach (make sure you squeeze the liquid prior to covering the cheese ball.) Place half of the crushed nut mix onto the wax paper, roll the cheese ball so it grabs the nuts and continue to add remaining nuts until completely covered. Some nuts may fall off, but don't worry ~ once the ball is refrigerated in the wax paper, they cling. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate a few hours. Remove cheese ball from wax paper onto a dish and place assorted crackers around for presentation. We also dipped carrots; whatever your taste wants. Use an hors d'oeurve knife or spoon to scoop as crackers are too fragile for dipping.
God is here
We are entering a new year with hope and anticipation for better days. I am grateful to my blog followers and fellow facebook friends for your connections and look forward to sharing whatever continues to inspire me.
HAVE FUN AND BE HAPPY!
LET THE SUN SHINE!
LIVE ~ LAUGH ~ LOVE
GO BEARS! :)
XO XO XO
