Date, Walnut & Blue Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• 4 ounces, weight Crumbled Blue Cheese (4 Ounces Is About 1 Cup)
• 1 Tablespoon Nonfat Buttermilk
• 8 ounces, weight 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, Softened
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Pitted Medjool Dates (3 Tablespoons Is 2 To 3 Dates)
• 1 Tablespoon Minced Sweet Onion
• ½ teaspoons Fresh Lemon Zest
• ¼ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
• ⅛ teaspoons Black Pepper
• ¼ cups Minced Fresh Flat-leaf Parsley
• 2-½ Tablespoons Finely Chopped Walnuts, Toasted

Preparation Instructions

Lightly spray the bowl of a food processor with cooking spray (to help prevent the dates from sticking). Combine all ingredients except the parsley and walnuts in the prepared food processor bowl. Process until combined (it doesn’t have to be completely smooth).

Line a small-medium bowl with plastic wrap. Pour the cheese mixture into the plastic wrap-lined bowl. Then wrap it in the plastic to form a ball. Refrigerate until chilled, overnight in the fridge or about 1 hour in the freezer.

Combine the parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap the cheese ball and gently roll it in the parsley/nut mixture, coating well. Set it on a serving tray. Serve immediately along with crackers or bread, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Adapted slightly from Cooking Light.