Place parsley (if using) into TM bowl and chop 5 sec/speed 7. Set aside.
Place onion into TM bowl and chop 5 sec/speed 5. Scrape down sides of bowl with spatula.
Add cheddar cheese and grate 8 sec/speed 8.
Add remaining ingredients, apart from the parsley/nuts, and mix 20-30 sec/speed 5 using the spatula to assist through the hole in the lid. Stop to scrape down sides of TM bowl then mix a further 20-30 sec/speed 5 using the spatula to assist and until mix is well incorporated.
Tip mixture into a bowl, cover and chill 3-4 hours.
Shape mixture into a large ball. Roll in parsley or chopped nuts.
Place on a serving plate, cover and chill 2 hours or until firm. Serve with crackers and raw vegetables.
This recipe makes a very large cheese ball and can easily be halved.
Instead of making one large cheese ball, make smaller individual cheese balls or serve by the spoonful on cucumber rounds.
Turn the cheese ball into a dip by thinning down with milk.