Easy Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans  

In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese. Mix dressing mix and Cheddar cheese into the cream cheese. Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve. Serve with crackers of choice. I prefer ritz.

Pepper, Onion, and Feta Pizza

1 12 in thin pizza crust, homemade or prepared, such as Boboli (whole wheat for heart healthy)
2-3 cups chopped red, green and/or orange bell peppers - any combination
1 cup sliced yellow or red onion, separated into rings
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp dried italian herbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
3/4 cup crumbled herbed feta cheese (fat free for heart healthy)

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place crust on pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients except cheese. Spoon mixture over crust. Top with cheese.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until veggies are crisp-tender. Remove from oven and serve.

Fruit Salsa/Apple Salsa

3 medium apples, chopped
2 c chopped strawberries (or 1 16-oz box)
3 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 orange, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp apple jelly

In a bowl, combine chopped fruit. Stir in brown sugar and apple jelly. Tastes best served with cinnamon sugar tortilla crisps but also works well with vanilla wafers or graham crackers.

Sizzling Cheese Pinwheels

8 oz cream cheese
6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
2 oz thinly sliced deli salami, chopped fine
3 scallions, minced
1 tbsp hot sauce
2 tsp Dijon mustard
12 slices hearty white sandwich bread,crusts removed
12 oz bacon, halved crosswise

1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Process cream cheese and cheddar in food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds. Transfer to bowl and stir in salami, scallions, hot sauce, and mustard.
2. Working with 1 slice bread at a time, roll bread as thin as possible with rolling pin. Evenly cover with 2 heaping tablespoons cheese mixture. Starting at short edge, roll bread into tight cylinder. Cut in half crosswise and wrap each half with 1 piece bacon, covering bread completely. Secure bacon with toothpick.
3. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining bread, filling, and bacon. Broil until bacon is crisp, 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through broiling. Let pinwheels cool for 10 minutes. Serve. Makes 2 dozen.