Almond Blue Cheese
    Pinecone

    Ingredients

    16  oz. softened cream cheese
    1/4 lb Swiss cheese, grated
    1/4 lb crumbled blue cheese
    1/4 cup brandy
    1 clove garlic, chopped finely
    1/4 teaspoon white pepper
    2 cups Whole Natural or Blanched Whole
    toasted almonds

    Directions

    Combine first 6 ingredients; beat until smooth.  Cover
    and refrigerate 1 hour.  Form cheese mixture into the
    shape of  a large pinecone.  Place on serving plate.  
    Beginning at narrow end of cone, carefully press
    almonds about 1/4 inch deep into cheese mixture in
    rows, making sure that pointed end of each almond
    extends at a slight angle,   Continue pressing almonds
    into cheese mixture in rows, with rows slightly
    overlapping, until all cheese is covered.  Garnish
    pinecone with pine sprigs, if desired.
    Serve with crackers.
    Serves 25.