Cheese Ball with Creamed Beef Bits

2 packages of cream cheese (8 oz. each), at room temperature.

1 package of dried beef, finely chopped

1 and a half teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon of powdered garlic

1/2 teaspoon of powdered onion

3 pieces of green onion, finely chopped, and more for decoration if desired.

Ritz crackers, to serve.

Sal.

Directions

Get all your ingredients ready before starting. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften. This will make mixing it much easier. Cut the dried beef into small pieces if it is not already chopped, and cut the green onions into slices.

Combining Ingredients: Put the softened cream cheese in a big mixing bowl. If you are using a mixer, choose a low speed setting to prevent splashing. Put the diced beef and finely chopped green onions in the bowl. Mix these ingredients with a mixer or a wooden spoon until they are well combined with the cream cheese. You want the mix to be even and fully mixed.

Add the garlic powder and onion powder to the mixture. Mix these ingredients well. Now, try a little bit of your mix to see if it needs more seasoning. If you think it needs more taste, just add a little bit of salt. Keep in mind that the chipped beef is already salty. Therefore, add salt little by little and taste as you go to prevent adding too much salt.

Make the Cheese Ball: Place a piece of plastic wrap on a smooth surface. Put the cheese mixture on the plastic wrap. Carefully bring the sides of the plastic wrap together and begin forming the mixture into a ball. You can shape it with your hands into a smooth, round form. The plastic wrap makes it easier to shape the ball and stops the mixture from sticking to your hands. After forming it, wrap the cheese ball tightly with plastic wrap.

Cool the cheese ball by putting it in the fridge. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes, or until it hardens. This step is very important because it helps the flavors mix well and the cheese ball keep its form when served.

To serve: Once chilled, gently take out the cheese ball from the plastic wrap. Put it on a serving plate. If you want, you can add some finely chopped green onions on top for a touch of color and more taste.

Serve the cheese ball with Ritz crackers or any other kind of cracker you like. The crunchy, buttery Ritz crackers go really well with the smooth cheese ball.

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