Feta Christmas Balls

Preparation 15 minutes
Makes about 30 balls
Refrigeration 30 minutes

Ingredients: 1/4 lb (125 g) Canadian Feta 1 small container (250 g) Canadian Ricotta 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh chives 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) freshly ground pepper Trimmings of your choice (ground almonds, toasted sesame seeds, ground oregano, dill, chopped parsley and ground walnuts)

1. Before making this recipe, let Feta stand in a bowl of water for an hour to remove salt and soften.

2. Strain Feta, crumble and combine with Ricotta, chives and pepper. Mix well.

3. Freeze for 30 minutes to make mixture firmer.

4. Roll mixture into small balls, about the size of a marble.

5. Roll balls into your choice of different trimmings. Arrange in a serving dish to create a Christmas-tree shape. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Replace Feta with Havarti.
Substitute fresh chives for fresh basil, mint or finely chopped green onions.

Christmas balls (with or without trimmings) can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Keep frozen until 1 hour before serving. You can grind a variety of nuts in a coffee grinder. Pistachios, almonds, pecans and roasted sunflower seeds are all excellent for trimming for your Christmas balls. Feel free to personalize the presentation of this recipe. You can create a variety of different shapes, from stars and candy canes to presents and bells. Why not get the kids to lend a hand? Family fun guaranteed.

This cheese is an institution with our friends of Greek descent and has won over Canadians everywhere. Feta is a traditional cheese enjoyed as much by itself as in many delightful dishes. It keeps well in salted water as long as the water is changed regularly.

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING (5 BALLS): Energy: 116 Cal/481 kJ Protein: 9.8 g Fat: 7.7 g Carbohydrate: 2.2 g Sodium: 372 mg Fibre: 0.3 g Calcium: 177 mg Suggested Wine: Great with Beaujolais, a red wine made from the Gamay grape. Light and fruity Beaujolais combines aromas of red berries and slightly jammy strawberry.