Chicken Curry Cheese Ball - Recipe

With the holidays approaching, it's always nice to find new or unique recipes for those gatherings with friends & family. If you have a love for curry dishes, you'll probably like this cheese ball. My mother in law gave me this quick & easy recipe she'd found in a magazine years ago, because she knew I've loved curry since I was 5 years old, when my family was living in the Philippines as missionaries. A little old lady in the church, we called "Auntie", paid for our family to eat out at the Bayot Hotel in Zamboanga City every Sunday. We ate Chicken, Curry and Rice with all the trimmings every time we'd go there. This was really special for us because our family of 7 rarely ever got to eat out.   Even after we left the Philippines (when I was 9) my mom continued to make Filipino Chicken, Curry & Rice at home. I did the same while my kids were growing up & they really loved it too. I've always noticed that people either love curry or they hate it. Most people I know love it.    After my son married his Romanian wife, Anca, she called me up one day asking if I'd come over and show her how to make Chicken, Curry and Rice, which has always been Brian's favorite dish. She wanted to surprise him. I figured Anca would not like this dish because when she came here from Romania, she was picky about some things & it took her a while to acquire a taste for American food. Of course it's not an American dish, but much to my surprise, she loved the curry dish & now their son, Coen, & daughter, Chloe, love it too!    I have posted my easy recipe for Chicken Curry and Rice here, and in the meantime I hope you enjoy this Chicken Curry Cheese Ball. By the way, I have made it both ways (with canned chicken and fresh cooked chicken) but either way is great!   Chicken Curry Cheese Ball  

Chicken Curry Cheese Ball

     * 1 cup cooked chicken (finely    .  chopped)  or 1 large can cooked chicken (or two - 5 - 6 oz. cans) OR you can use rotisserie or boil your own from fresh..
* 8 oz. cream cheese, soften
  * 3/4 - 1 cup toasted almonds (chopped) I buy them and toast them myself in the oven OR you can use chopped peanut * 1/3 cup Hellman's mayonnaise (not salad dressing)

• 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder (or to taste) I like a lot! Be careful! You may not like as much curry as I do, so add it gradually, adding it to your taste
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•  1 - 2 Tbs apricot preserves * Flaked coconut (to roll the cheese ball in)
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• Chopped green onions (optional)
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• Mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl. If you want the green onions in it, do that now. Chill for several hours or overnight. Form into a ball (or log) and roll in coconut. Serve with crackers. 



  Chicken Curry Cheese Ball