Date Walnut Cheese Ball

 

 

Ingredients

• 1  cup  (4 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
• 1  tablespoon  nonfat buttermilk
• 5  ounces  fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 3  ounces  1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3  tablespoons  minced pitted Medjool dates (2 to 3 dates)
• 1  tablespoon  minced shallots
• 1/2  teaspoon  grated lemon rind
• 1/4  teaspoon  kosher salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1/4  cup  minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 1/2  tablespoons  finely chopped walnuts, toasted

Preparation

1. Place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add dates, shallots, lemon rind, salt, and pepper; beat at medium speed until well blended, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.
2. Spoon cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a ball, using a rubber spatula. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap; chill overnight.
3. Combine parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap cheese ball; gently roll in nut mixture, coating well. Place on a serving plate. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.