Garlic Herb Cheese Ball (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cheese Ball

01 - 8 oz plant-based cream cheese
02 - 2 tsp garlic powder
03 - 4 tbsp dairy-free Parmesan shreds
04 - 1 tbsp dried Italian herb mix (unsalted)
05 - 2 tbsp squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1/8 tsp sea salt
07 - 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)

→ Coating

09 - 1/2 cup raw pecans or walnuts

→ For Hands

10 - 1 to 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

# Instructions:

01 - Toss all the cheese ball ingredients into a small bowl. Mix and whip until the texture feels fluffy and smooth. Gather the mix with a spatula and shape it into a flat ball.
02 - Stick the bowl with the cheese mix into the freezer for 15 minutes.
03 - Use a knife to finely dice your pecans or walnuts into smaller bits.
04 - Bring the cheese mixture out of the freezer. Coat your hands with a dash of olive oil, scoop the chilled mix, and gently mold it into a round ball.
05 - Roll the cheese ball across the minced nuts, pressing gently to make sure it's fully covered from all angles.
06 - Move the nut-coated cheese ball to a serving plate and pop it into the freezer for an extra 5 minutes to firm up.
07 - Serve with veggie sticks, crackers, or crostini. For the best taste, eat it within an hour after taking it out of the fridge.

# Notes:

01 - A thicker plant-based cream cheese such as Tofutti gives better results. If you'd like, try testing alternatives like Kite Hill or Follow Your Heart for texture differences.
02 - If it's too moist, toss in extra vegan Parmesan shreds or a pinch of dried herbs to thicken things up.
03 - Dried herbs work well to soak up moisture, but if you'd like a different taste, try finely chopped basil or parsley instead.