Date, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Ball

14    servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons)
Prepare this retro-chic snack up to two days ahead, and serve with crackers, bread, or veggies.

1    cup (4 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
 1    tablespoon nonfat buttermilk
 5    ounces fat-free cream cheese,
 softened 3 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese,
 softened 3 tablespoons minced pitted Medjool dates (2 to 3 dates) 
1    tablespoon minced shallots
 1/2    teaspoon grated lemon rind
 1/4    teaspoon kosher salt
 1/4    teaspoon black pepper
 1/4    cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
 2-1/2    tablespoons finely chopped walnuts, toasted

1   Place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add dates, shallots, lemon rind, salt, and pepper; beat at medium speed until well blended, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

 2 .  Spoon cheese mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a ball, using a rubber spatula. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap; chill overnight.


3 .  Combine parsley and walnuts in a shallow dish. Unwrap cheese ball; gently roll in nut mixture, coating well. Place on a serving plate. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Heart healthy