MargoPav Healthy Journal

This cheese ball is a simple combination of cheeses, shaped into a festive ball and rolled in finely chopped pecans.

What sets this cheese ball apart? The secret's in the Worcestershire sauce which adds the perfect tang to this crowd-pleasing snack.

FEATURED VIDEO
Homemade Chili Powder Recipe
Use finely chopped walnuts if you prefer, or if you don't have pecans on hand. The cheddar cheese can also be substituted with any other grated, semi-hard cheese. You can even try combining several different cheeses for a more complex taste.

If you'd like to add a little kick to this classic appetizer, try mixing in a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

You'll need to prepare the cheese ball at least 24 hours in advance, but for those who truly like to plan ahead, this recipe can be made up to three days before your party. Just be sure to refrain from adding the crunchy, nut coating until serving day as it can become soft in the fridge.

Serve the cheese ball with a variety of crackers at your next celebratory gathering.

Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
2 teaspoons onion, grated
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons garlic, finely minced
2 cups pecans, finely chopped

you can't afford expensive goose liver foie gras, try this simple-but-elegant pâté recipe using less-expensive duck livers.

Ingredients
12 ounces duck livers (rinsed and connective tissue removed, cooked)
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 whole star anise
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper

These simple and bright salmon crostini are sure to impress at any breakfast, brunch, or holiday celebration. Fresh herbs, ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and smoked salmon shine beautifully in this dish. Gone are the days of having to make complicated appetizers for an event. Instead, this recipe only takes a few ingredients to make a beautiful appetizer.

Fresh herbs are a must for this recipe. Make sure to wash them thoroughly and finely chop them with a sharp knife. Don't chop them too far ahead of time to prevent them from browning. If you can find the fina-style ricotta cheese make sure to use it. It has the best texture and blends nicely with the herbs and smoked salmon. If you can't find that style it will definitely still work very well with regular ricotta cheese. Try to find a fresh or local brand for the best flavor.

FEATURED VIDEO
4 Simple Ways to Preserve Basil
If you can find wild-caught smoked salmon, that will also provide the best flavor, texture, and color for this dish. Specialty fish shops and grocery stores that specialize in wild-caught and natural fish will have this option in the packaged fish section. You can also buy the smoked salmon at delis that special in bagels and lox.

Ingredients
1 French baguette
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped dill, plus sprigs for serving
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus wedges for serving
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 ounces smoked salmon

Need a perfect appetizer for a large crowd? Nothing beats a big bowl of creamy spinach and artichoke dip, especially at a party or sports game night. It's always a hit and is always the first thing to disappear.

This recipe is full of spinach and artichokes and is surrounded in a creamy sauce. Made with garlic and several types of cheese, this dish can easily be made on the stovetop or be thrown in the crockpot if you want to set it and forget it.

FEATURED VIDEO
Quick and Easy Vegan Banana Muffins Recipe
Serve it with some beautiful toasted baguette rounds, tortilla chips, or crackers. It can even be served with fresh and crunchy crudité.

This recipe can be made low-calorie by replacing the sour cream and cream cheese with lower fat versions and omitting the mayonnaise (just replace with more sour cream). You can also add in chopped, frozen kale along with the frozen spinach.

Any way you serve this dip, it is sure to be the center of your party.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 (12-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

The combination of brie cheese with cranberry is classic for the holidays, but don't let that stop you making these bite-sized appetizers any time of year. The recipe can be adapted quickly with your favorite cheeses and fillings, making these the perfect party food for holidays, the Super Bowl, and beyond.

Flaky, creamy, and sweet, these easy-to-prepare cranberry brie bites will make all your holiday festivities stress-free, while impressing guests with their beautiful flower-like shape. Even better, there's no need to make the dough—store-bought sheets of ready rolled puff pastry is the secret to cutting down on prep time.
Ingredients
For the Bites:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 ounces brie cheese, chilled, rind removed
1 (14 x 10-inch) sheet ready rolled puff pastry
4 tablespoons cranberry sauce
For the Glazed Walnuts:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup walnuts, broken into pieces but not chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes