Donna's Cheese Balls

 

Almost every Christmas season, Donna and I get together to spend the afternoon and most of our energy making these tasty cheese balls. You can buy cheese already grated - but it just doesn't mix as well. These keep well in the freezer - if you can keep them away from Debbie!

 

5 lb Cheddar Cheese

2 lb Velveeta Cheese

2 lb Mozzarella Cheese

8 - 8oz packages Cream Cheese

4 - 4oz package of Bleu Cheese

4 tsp Garlic powder

1 small bottle Dried Onion Flakes

2-3 good shots of Worcestershire Sauce

 

Grate all cheese and mix thoroughly with Garlic and Onion Flakes. Make into fist-sized balls and roll in chopped pecans.

 

Serve with Wheat Thins, Triscuits, Sociables, or your favorite crackers. Makes a great centerpiece in the middle of a platter of crackers or fresh veggies.

 

Donna and I have tweaked this recipe over the years, adding Worcestershire Sauce sometimes and other kinds of cheeses - Old English is especially good - and all combinations so far have met with enthusiastic approval. Try your own variations... it's an easy recipe to play with. Makes 36 balls.

 

Jenny's Ham Roll-Ups Hors D'oeuvres

 

Easy, easy, easy.

 

Spread semi-softened cream cheese on thin slices of Oscar Meyer Smoked Ham (or any other brand that comes in oblong slices). Sprinkle with finely chopped green onion and pickle. Roll up and put back in the fridge until cream cheese is again firm. Slice in ¼" thick slices and arrange on a pretty plate. Looks like you worked your rump off - and it's quick enough to do last minute.

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"Give me liberty or... OOOooo... A jelly donut !" ~Homer Simpson

 

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Jenny's Rumaki

 

For those of us who shudder at the thought of bacon-wrapped chicken livers, here's a delicious substitute - another easy hors d'oeuvres.

 

1 lb bacon, cut in thirds

2 - 3 cans whole Water Chestnuts

 

Preheat oven to 350º. Prepare cookie sheet with a lip, by placing a cooking rack over it. I use a cake rack.

 

Take water chestnuts and roll in a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick, making sure it goes through water chestnut and catching the lip of the bacon so it won't unroll.

 

Bake until browned on one side and turn the toothpicks facing the other way, that way you know you have turned each one. The greasy side of the toothpick will be up now.

 

Bake for 15 minutes more, 45 minutes all together  Remove from rack and place in serving dish. Enjoy.

 

Jenny's Salsa

 

1 Can William's Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles

1 Bunch Green Onions, chopped

1 Bunch Fresh Parsley, chopped

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 Garlic Clove, minced

Salt to taste

 

This is another of those recipes that can be tweaked to suit your individual taste - more onion, less garlic, trade parsley for cilantro. It'll be good no matter how it comes out. Serve with tortilla chips - warm them in the oven for extra flavor.

 

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"Garlick maketh a man wynke, drynke, and stynke."

~Thomas  Nash (16th Century poet)

 

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