4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (16 z)
2 tbsp pesto
1 tbsp grated onion
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 or 3 red pepper sauce
Have ready at serving time:
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 tbsp. chopped red bell pepper
Assorted crackers
Mix the cheeses; divide in half. Mix pesto into 1 half; mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into other half. Cover and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree. Roll trees in parsley, pressing parsley evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top tree with star shape cut from lemon peel, if desired.
Or instead of trees:
Shape the cheese mixture into a Snowman Cheese Ball (you'll have enough to make two small snowmen or 1 large one). Omit parsley, pine nuts and bell pepper. Shape into balls. Roll in 1/3 cup finely chopped blanced almonds. Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman; press together slightly. Insert pretzel sticks for arms. Decorate as desired with capers, sliced olives, sliced cucumber, chopped bell peppers and fresh thyme leaves.
