APPETIZER CHEESE TREES OR SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half.
• Mix pesto into one half; mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into other half.
• Cover each half and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
• Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet.
• Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree.
• Roll trees in parsley, pressing evenly onto trees.
• Press bell pepper pieces onto trees to form ornaments.
• Press pine nuts onto trees in string to form garland.
• Top each tree with star-shape cut from lemon peel, if desired.
• Serve with crackers.
• For Snowman Cheeseball: above recipe enough for one large snowman or two small snowmen.
• Omit parsley, pine nuts and bell pepper.
• Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts.
• Mix 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture;mix in pesto.
• Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one third of cheese mixture.
• Refrigerate as directed.
• Shape each cheese mixture into two balls; roll 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds.
• Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman; press together slightly.
• Insert pretzel sticks for arms.
• Decorate as desired, with capers (for eyes), sliced olives (for buttons), chopped carrots (for nose), sliced cucumber (for hat a thin slice for brim a chunk for top), chopped bell pepper (for mouth) and fresh thyme leaves (for scarf).