Preparation Time
30 minutes (plus 2 hours to chill)
Servings
8-10
Ingredients
21/2 cups shredded Montery Jack cheese (about 10 oz)
2 3-oz packages of cream cheese, softened and divided
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp chili powder
1/3 cup chopped pitted ripe olives
1 or 2 tbsp of milk
1 large red bell pepper (decorations)
6 whole pitted ripe black olives (decorations)
A batch of Celestial Crackers or regular crackers (the celestial ones can be time consuming to make and kids can have a hard time managing them)
Instructions
Beat Monterey Jack cheese, 1 package cream cheese, onion, mayonnaise and chili powder in medium bowl until smooth.
Mix in chopped red pepper and chopped olivers.
Shape mixture into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
Beat remaining package of cream cheese in a small bowl until fluffy; beat in just enough milk to make the mixture into a good spreading consistency.
Spread mixture on and over cheese ball; refrigerate loosely covered until serving time, at least 2 more hours.
Cut red pepper into stars with small cutter or sharp knife. Slice olives into crescent moons.
Just before serving, decorate cheese ball with stars and moon.
Place cheese ball on inverted mug (pedestal) and serve with Celestial Tortillas (or regular crackers).
Final Product
