Cheese balls were all the rage in the 1970s, an easy, tasty, fab party food for any occasion. What's old is now retro-chic—this lightened-up cheese ball seduces with the sweetness of dates, the savory bite of blue cheese, a hint of shallot, and a teasing whiff of lemon zest.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 1 1/2 cups (360 ml)

　　8 oz/225 g of low-fat cream cheese (bar style), at room temperature

　　1 cup/115 g crumbled blue cheese, at room temperature

　　1 tbsp reduced-fat buttermilk

　　3 tbsp minced Medjool dates (5 to 6 pitted dates)

　　1 tbsp minced shallots

　　1 tsp grated lemon zest

　　1/4 tsp kosher or sea salt

　　1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

　　2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

　　2 1/2 tbsp finely chopped toasted walnuts

　　

Skinny Dippers:

Crostini, Baked Pita Chips, Baked Bagel Chips, Marbled Rye Toasts, celery and carrot sticks

　　

Step 1

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, blue cheese, and buttermilk on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the dates, shallots, lemon zest, salt, and pepper and beat until well combined.

　　

Step 2

2. Transfer the cheese mixture to a large sheet of plastic wrap/cling film and form it into a ball. Wrap the ball in the wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.

　　

Step 3

3. In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together the parsley and walnuts. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. With the wrap/film still on, shape into a well-formed ball. Unwrap the cheese mixture and roll it gently in the nut mixture until all sides are well covered. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

　　

Nutrition Per Serving

Serving size: 2 tbsp

　　Calories 59; Fat 3.9 g (sat 2.1 g

　　mono 1.0 g

　　poly 0.4 g); Protein 2 g; Carb 4 g; Fiber 0 g; Chol 10 mg; Iron 0.1 mg; Sodium 109 mg; Calc 41 mg

　　#### Nutritional analysis provided by _Skinny Dips_

　　Dip Do-Ahead:

　　The cheese ball can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate.

　　From Skinny Dips by Diane Morgan. Text copyright © 2010 by Diane Morgan; photographs copyright © 2010 by Sheri Giblin. Published by Chronicle Books LLC.