Cheesy Appetizers

Quick, easy, healthier holiday appetizer options from Jennifer DeHoog with the St. Louis District Dairy Council. Recipes Pizza Fondue From wwwilovecheese.com 8 ounces (about 1/2 pound) lean ground beef or Italian sausage* 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 1/2 cups pizza sauce 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/2 cup (about 2 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup (about 4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese Breadsticks or cubes of crusty French or Italian Bread Cook sausage in large saucepan over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain off fat. Stir in pizza sauce and spices. Cook over medium heat until hot, but not boiling. Combine cheese and stir into meat mixture until melted. Transfer into large serving dish and serve immediately with bread sticks or cubes of crusty French or Italian bread. *Note: Can also be prepared without meat for vegetarian dish. Christmas Cheese Wreath Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking. Ed. Charlotte Turgeon. 8 to 16 ounces soft cheddar cheese, softened 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 3 ounces pimiento cheddar cheese spread, softened 6 to 8 ounces crumbled blue cheese, softened (optional) 2 tablespoons freshly grated or dry minced onion 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Finely chopped fresh parsley and chopped red bell pepper Assorted crackers and vegetables Combine cheddar, cream cheese, cheese spread and blue cheese, onion and Worcestershire sauce in large bowl; mix thoroughly with heavy-duty mixer. Mixture will be very thick, so lighter mixers may not be powerful enough unless all cheeses have been softened slightly in the microwave. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of cheese mixture around a round serving tray to form a ring; smooth with spatula. Garnish with parsley and red bell pepper. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until serving. Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.