Italian Cheese Ball - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
3 tablespoons snipped fresh basil
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 ounces Fontina cheese
2 ounces finely chopped hard salami
2 tablespoons finely chopped roasted red peppers
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper (to taste)
1 garlic clove, minced
water crackers or baguette, slices

Preparation

In a shallow dish combine 1 tablespoon of the chives, 1 tablespoon of the basil, and the parsley; set aside.
In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and Fontina cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
Beat in the salami and finely chopped roasted red sweet pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons chives, remaining 2 tablespoons basil, the pepper, and garlic.
Form into a ball (or log).
Roll ball in herb mixture. Wrap and chill cheese ball for 4 to 24 hours.
Serve with water crackers or baguette slices, and a nice bottle of Italian wine or sparkling Spumante!
Makes twelve 2-tablespoon servings.