Ingredients needed:
* 1 package of cream cheese, at room temperature (8 oz.)
* 2 3/4 cups finely shredded Cheddar cheese (12 oz.)
* 1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese, 4 oz.
* 2 scallions, cut into pieces
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 32 grape tomatoes
* 16 sliced pitted black olives
* 1 rib of celery, cut into 1" x 1/8" pieces
Preparation steps to make cheese mixture:
* In food processor, combine cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, Jack cheese, scallions and chili powder; process until smooth and scallions are finely chopped. Transfer to bowl; cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Preparation steps to shape balls:
* Chop remaining 1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese; transfer to plate. Shape 1 tablespoon of cream cheese around 1 tomato; roll in cheese.
* Repeat with remaining cream cheese mixture, tomatoes and Cheddar. For eyes and noses, cut olives into tiny triangles; press onto cheese balls. For stems, insert celery pieces.
This makes 32 cheese balls.
Enjoy
