Turkey Cheese Ball

12 Servings Prep: 45 min. + chilling


Ingredients:
* 2 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese
* 6 ounces deli smoked turkey, finely chopped
* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder


Decorations:
* 3 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
* 2 tablespoons milk
* Brown, orange and yellow paste food coloring
* 6 large oval crackers
* 1 large sweet red pepper
* 1 small yellow summer squash
* 1 cup pecan halves
* Assorted crackers


Directions:
In a small bowl, beat the first six ingredients until combined. Shape into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
In another small bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth.
Divide among four small bowls. With food coloring, tint one bowl brown, one dark orange and one light orange (using yellow and orange); leave one bowl plain.
Transfer each mixture to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of each bag.
For turkey tail feathers, decorate the top halves of large oval
crackers with tinted cream cheese.
Using the red pepper, form the turkey head, neck and wattle. For beak, cut a small triangle from summer squash; attach with cream cheese. Add eyes, using brown and plain cream cheese. Insert pecan halves and decorated crackers into cheese ball. Serve with assorted crackers. Yield: 1 cheese ball (3 cups).


Editor’s Note: This recipe was tested with Townhouse Oval Bistro crackers.
Reviews


Reviewed on Dec. 02, 2009 by wildflowerbyheart


Although it took a couple hours to actually make, it was well worth it! It was the centerpiece for our Thanksgiving dinner! For the actual cheese ball: I used real cream cheese (not reduced fat) and sharp cheddar, omitted the deli smoked turkey & onions, and added only 2 tsp Worcestershire, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 1/2 pkg of Ranch DRESSING mix (not the dip. only use half or it will be too salty). For the "feathers" I didn't need to add milk, I just softened in microwave for about 20 secs. before adding food coloring. My colors weren't as dark as ones in photo, more pastel. But it still looked fabulous! Luckily, I found the Townhouse Bistro Crackers after searching at 3 different groceries stores (Gerbes is where I found it). I had so much fun making this... it was definitely a hit! I served with Holiday Ritz Crackers shaped like snowflakes. And I surrounded the turkey with yellow, orange, and green leaves made out of cream cheese & powdered sugar in a press. It turned out beautiful! Wish there was somewhere to upload a photo! :)


Reviewed on Dec. 13, 2009 by justhair


Everybody loved this for it's looks and it's taste and it was easy to make. Use your imagination. We used a row of large pretzels , with a row of small pretzels in place of the pecans and we cut a piece of yellow pepper for the beak in place of the squash. We also used Easy Cheese in a can to decorate the crackers. Be sure to try and find the longest skinny red pepper you can for the neck, it looks better that way. This cheese ball will become a tradition on our Thanksgiving table, makes a great center piece!
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