In a shallow dish combine 1 tablespoon of the chives, 1 tablespoon of the basil, and the parsley; set aside. In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and goat cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining 2 tablespoons chives, remaining 2 tablespoons basil, the pepper, and garlic. Form into a ball.

Roll ball in herb mixture. Wrap and chill cheese ball for 4 to 24 hours.

Makes twelve 2-tablespoon servings

Dried Beef Cheese Ball: Prepare as above, except omit basil and parsley. Beat 2 ounces chopped dried beef, 3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives, and 1 teaspoon caraway seeds into cheese mixture. Serve with crisp rye crackers or party rye bread.

Italian Cheese Ball: Prepare as above, except substitute fontina cheese for the goat cheese and beat 2 ounces hard salami and 2 tablespoons finely chopped roasted red sweet pepper into the cheese mixture. Serve with water crackers or baguette slices. Per serving: 121 cal., 5 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 36 mg chol., 220 mg sodium, 1 g carbo., 0 g dietary fiber, 5 g protein. Daily Values: 9% vit. A, 10% vit. C, 7% calcium, 2% iron. Exchanges: 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 11/2 Fat