Mr. Grouper Cheese & Crackers

It's circle time! Gather 'round this delicious cheese & crackers spread at your next party or surprise your preschooler with a friendly afternoon snack!

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Ingredients

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
• White pepper to taste
• Orange food coloring
• 6 slices orange American cheese
• 4 slices white American cheese
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 1 large black olive
• 1 slice pumpernickel bread
• 1 radish
• Small round crackers

Directions

1. Step 1

   Combine the cream cheese and cheddar cheese in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth. Add the seasoning and food coloring for a more intense orange, if desired.

2. Step 2

   Spoon the cheese dip onto one side of a serving platter. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on top of the cheese dip. Shape into a 4-by-3 inch mounded oval, using the plastic wrap to make it smooth. Carefully remove the plastic wrap.

3. Step 3

   Following the picture as your guide, arrange four orange and three white cheese slices, overlapping by 1 inch, extending from the right side of the cheese dip as the fish body. Use a paring knife to taper the cheese slices to create the tail end. Use the scraps and other slices to make the eyebrows, tail, and top fin. Cut the remaining orange cheese slice to make the two front fins.

4. Step 4

   To make the eyes, cut a 1-inch piece from each wide end of the hard-boiled eggs. Cut the black olive into small ovals for the pupils and place on top of the eggs.

5. Step 5

   To make the mouth, flatten the slice of pumpernickel bread with a rolling pin. Cut out the mouth shape. Cut a 1/4-inch slice from one of the remaining pieces of hard-boiled egg and remove the yolk. Trim the slice to fit as the teeth for the slice of pumpernickel. Cut a piece of radish for the tongue.

6. Step 6

   Arrange the face parts on top of the cheese dip. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out and refrigerate until ready to serve.

7. Step 7

   Add round crackers on the platter to look like bubbles. DIVE IN!

Nurtition Facts

• Calories: 329
• Total Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 109mg
• Sodium: 664mg
• Total Carbs: 3g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 2g
• Protein: 16g