Target: 6 × 4 inches · landscape

Blue Cheese, Apricot, and Walnut Cheese Ball

185 min · 10 appetizer portions

Ingredients

□ 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened

□ 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled

□ 1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped

□ 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced

□ 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

□ 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

□ 1/2 tsp kosher salt

□ 1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely chopped

□ 1 box sturdy crackers

□ 1 medium crisp apple, cored and thinly sliced

□ 3 celery ribs, cut into sticks

1. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant and lightly golden; spread them out to cool completely.

2. Blend cream cheeses until spreadable, then fold in apricots, scallions, lemon zest, pepper, and salt.

3. Shape the mixture into a compact ball, wrap, and chill at least 2 hours until firm.

4. Press cooled walnuts over the unwrapped ball, covering the sides and top evenly.

5. Chill 15 minutes to set the coating; set out 20 minutes before serving with crackers, apple, and celery.

Cook’s note: Toast and cool the walnuts ahead; add them only after the cheese center is firm.