Appetizers

Cheese Ball, French 75, and Beach Read

July 8, 2025
editor
The classic Cheese Ball, an ideal appetizer for gatherings, is paired with "Beach Read" by Emily Henry for its lighthearted, romantic prose that reflects the joy and comfort of sharing good food. This pairing is complemented by a French 75 cocktail, a refreshing and elegant drink that enhances the flavors of the Cheese Ball. The ensemble creates a delightful atmosphere for a relaxed evening, where readers can savor the rich flavors of the cheese spread and the vibrant notes of the cocktail while delving into the charming and witty world of "Beach Read".
Cheese Ball

Ingredients

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, red bell pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  • Shape the mixture into a ball. This can be done by scooping the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap, gathering the wrap around the mixture, and twisting the ends to form a round shape. Chill the ball in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  • While the cheese ball is chilling, mix the chopped pecans or walnuts and parsley (if using) on a large plate or shallow dish.
  • Once the cheese ball is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Roll the cheese ball in the nut and parsley mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres evenly to the surface.
  • Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly for easier spreading.

Beach Read

Beach Read

A witty and charming novel by Emily Henry about two writers spending the summer together at neighboring beach houses while suffering from writer's block. They challenge each other to write in each other’s genres, which kicks off a summer of unexpected revelations.
FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION AND BOOK LOVERS! A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters. Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

Discussion Questions

  • How does Emily Henry use the setting of the beach to reflect the characters' emotional states?
  • Discuss the significance of the genre swap challenge between January and Gus. How does it affect their growth as writers?
  • In what ways do the characters' family histories influence their present relationships and actions?
  • Examine the role of secondary characters, such as Shadi and Pete. How do they contribute to the story?
  • How does the novel explore the theme of grief and its impact on January?
  • Discuss how humor is used throughout the book to address serious topics like grief and loss.
  • What is the importance of the different writing styles explored in the novel to the characters’ development?
  • How does "Beach Read" address the idea of perception vs. reality in both personal and professional contexts?
  • Explore how the theme of forgiveness is woven into the narrative and its impact on the characters.
  • In what ways do January and Gus’s neighboring houses symbolize their individual personalities and relationships with their past?
Authors: Emily Henry
ISBN: 9781984806734
Publisher: Penguin
Published Date: 2020-05-19

French 75

French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail that originated in France, known for its refreshing and sophisticated taste. It combines gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne, creating a bubbly and citrusy drink that makes any occasion feel festive.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 4 oz champagne or sparkling wine
  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
  • Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
  • Top with champagne.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.