This homemade Cheese Ball with Marinated Dried Tomatoes makes a tasteful gift for the holiday party season. Present the cheese ball in a gift basket with a box of assorted gourmet crackers.

Cheese Ball with Marinated Dried Tomatoes

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (7-ounce) jar oil-packed dried tomatoes, drained

1 clove garlic

2 teaspoons dried basil

1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pine nuts or almonds

1. Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add first 4 ingredients and process until smooth. Scrape into a bowl, cover and chill at least 3 hours.
2. Shape 1/2 cup mixture into a ball; roll in toasted pine nuts or almonds, pressing gently to make nuts adhere. Repeat procedure with remaining mixture and nuts.
3. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Chill.

Makes 6 (1/2 cup) gifts.

DIRECTIONS FOR GIFT CARD: Store Cheese Ball with Marinated Dried Tomatoes in refrigerator up to 5 days. Serve with crackers.

Adapted from a recipe from Southern Living.