Date & Blue Cheese Ball

Preparation 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, blue cheese, and buttermilk on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the dates, shallots, lemon zest, salt, and pepper and beat until well combined. 2. Transfer the cheese mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap/cling film and form it into a ball. Wrap the ball in the wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight. 3. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together the parsley and walnuts. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. With the wrap/film still on, shape into a well-formed ball. Unwrap the cheese mixture and roll it gently in the nut mixture until all sides are well covered. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Dip Do-Ahead:The cheese ball can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate.Serving size: 2 tbsp Calories 59; Fat 3.9 g (sat 2.1 g, mono 1.0 g, poly 0.4 g); Protein 2 g; Carb 4 g; Fiber 0 g; Chol 10 mg; Iron 0.1 mg; Sodium 109 mg; Calc 41 mg Nutritional analysis provided by Skinny Dips From Skinny Dips by Diane Morgan. Text copyright © 2010 by Diane Morgan; photographs copyright © 2010 by Sheri Giblin. Published by Chronicle Books LLC.

Preparation 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, blue cheese, and buttermilk on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the dates, shallots, lemon zest, salt, and pepper and beat until well combined. 2. Transfer the cheese mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap/cling film and form it into a ball. Wrap the ball in the wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight. 3. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together the parsley and walnuts. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. With the wrap/film still on, shape into a well-formed ball. Unwrap the cheese mixture and roll it gently in the nut mixture until all sides are well covered. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Dip Do-Ahead:The cheese ball can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate.Serving size: 2 tbsp Calories 59; Fat 3.9 g (sat 2.1 g, mono 1.0 g, poly 0.4 g); Protein 2 g; Carb 4 g; Fiber 0 g; Chol 10 mg; Iron 0.1 mg; Sodium 109 mg; Calc 41 mg Nutritional analysis provided by Skinny Dips From Skinny Dips by Diane Morgan. Text copyright © 2010 by Diane Morgan; photographs copyright © 2010 by Sheri Giblin. Published by Chronicle Books LLC.