Appetizers Recipes - Almond Cheese Pinecone

Ingredients

• 2 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened

• 2 5-oz. jars pasteurized process cheese spread with pimiento

• 1/2 lb. blue cheese, crumbled

• 1/4 cup minced green onion

• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

• 2 cups Blue Diamond Blanched Whole Almonds, toasted

• Pine sprigs for garnish

• Crackers

Makes about 25 servings

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Method:

1. In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat cream cheese, cheese spread with pimiento and blue cheese until smooth.

2. With spoon, stir in green onions and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and refrigerate about one hour.

3. On work surface, with hands, shape cheese mixture into shape of large pinecone. Arrange on wooden board.

4. Beginning at narrow end of cone, carefully press almonds about 1/4 inch deep into cheese mixture in rows, making sure that pointed end of each almond extends at a slight angle.

5. Continue pressing almonds into cheese mixture in row, with rows slightly overlapping, until all cheese is covered. Garnish pinecone with pine sprigs.