Spinach Pesto Cheese Ball

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaf, trimmed
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (italian cheese blend)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Recipe

• 1 toast pine nuts until golden brown on a baking dish in a preheated 325-degree oven, 6-8 minutes, or in a dry skillet, stirring constantly. remove to a plate and let cool.
• 2 bring a saucepan of water to a boil. add spinach and basil; cook 3 minutes, until tender (or place in a microwave-safe dish, lightly cover with plastic wrap and cook on high 2 minutes). drain in a colander; rinse under cold water. press to extract excess moisture.
• 3 place spinach, basil, 1 cup parmesan, shredded cheese blend, cream cheese, garlic and pepper to taste in food processor fitted with a metal blade; process until smooth. cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• 4 stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan, parsley and pine nuts on a plate. moisten your hands with water; roll the cheese mixture into a ball. roll in the nut mixture to coat.