Pear-Shaped Sake Cheese Ball

In a large bowl, let cream cheese, Camembert, shredded cheddar and butter come to room temperature for 45 minutes. Add sake, apricot preserves and pepper. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until almost smooth. Stir in almonds.

Cover and chill cheese mixture about 2 hours or until easy to handle. Shape mixture into a round ball. Shake Parmesan cheese onto a piece of waxed paper; roll ball in cheese. For a pear, mold the round cheese ball into a pear shape (if making pear shape, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese after shaping). Cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 4 to 24 hours.

To serve, place pear-shape or the round cheese ball in a large shallow serving bowl or on platter. For the pear, make a small depression in the top for stem end. Insert cinnamon stick in pear for stem and the bay leaf. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Arrange crackers, celery, cucumber, pear or apples and/or apricots around the cheese.