Celebration Cheese Balls - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Basic Cheese Ball
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
Pine Nut-Pesto Cheese Ball
2 tablespoons pine nuts and basil (prepared Pesto, Food.com wouldn't allow)
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted plus 1/2 cup, divided
Horseradish-Bacon Cheese Ball
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1 green onion, finely chopped
Salsa Cheese Ball
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced seeded jalopeno pepper
assorted cracker

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic until blended. Divide into three portions.
Pine Nut-Pesto Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and pesto until blended. Stir in basil. Chop 2 tablespoons pine nuts; stir into cheese mixture. Shape into a ball; roll in remaining pine nuts. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
Horseradish-Bacon Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and horseradish until blended. Stir in bacon and onion. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
Salsa Cheeseball: In a small mixing bowl, beat one portion of cream cheese mixture, tomato paste and salt until blended. Stir in the cilantro, onion and jalapeno. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill until firm.
Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Serve with crackers.