Australia Day Cheese Ball

Sprinkle pecans over an oven tray. Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for about 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Remove and cool.

Process half the crackers in a food processor to form coarse crumbs.

Beat cheeses in a small bowl of an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in crumbs, capsicum and chives. Season with salt and pepper.

Using damp hands, roll and shape cheese mixture into a ball.

Combine pecans and parsley on a plate. Roll cheese ball in mixture, pressing on to coat.

Serve with remaining crackers.