Sunday, October 30, 2011

Eating from the Pantry: Pumpkin Cheese Ball

This recipe is so simple but extremely flavorful. I'm trying to come up with ways to decorate it for Thanksgiving and Christmas so that I have an excuse to keep making it.

IMAG0450 Pumpkin Cheese Ball (adapted from this recipe)

2 packages of cream cheese, softened
3 green onions, chopped (save a longer piece to make a stem)
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup red pepper, finely chopped
4 slices of pepperoni
Ritz Crackers

Mix the cream cheese, green onions, red peppers and 1-1/4 cup shredded cheese. Chill for at least an hour. Shape into a ball/pumpkin shape & roll in the remaining cheddar cheese.  Insert the saved piece of green onion to create the stem.  Using the pepperoni cut your desired face shapes and place on the cheese ball. Serve with Ritz or your favorite crackers.

Hint: I reserved a teaspoon of cream cheese in order to use it as "glue" since the pepperoni doesn't like to stick to the cheese.