When I want to bring something spectacular to the table without spending hours at the stove, I prepare this cheese ball with cranberries, walnuts, and pistachios: for me, a cheese lover, it’s a delicious, elegant, economical, and very “gourmet” idea.
It’s super creamy, ready in just a few minutes, can be made ahead of time, and always makes a great impression on boards, buffets, and holiday tables.
Perfect to spread on crackers, crostini, or breadsticks: it’s one of those smart recipes, beautiful and always effective, even for the blog.
This savory cream cheese ball is also delicious spread on slices of Romagna flatbread or on milk rolls briefly toasted in a pan.
In short, on the buffet of CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S APPETIZERS, it will fit perfectly… and your guests will love it!
Storage
The cheese ball can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, well covered with food wrap or closed in an airtight container.
I suggest taking it out of the fridge at least 15-20 minutes before serving, so it becomes soft and creamy to the right point.
However, I recommend not freezing it because it would change consistency once thawed, and it would be a real flop!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I have opened a free recipe channel for everyone on WhatsApp with no notifications and no sound, which you can join by clicking on the link here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHbGIn9cDDig7Cw2x0F and every day you can read one sweet and one savory recipe!
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On the theme of no-cook appetizers, here are some recipes for Christmas and New Year’s just below:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 4 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 8People
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons, Christmas
Ingredients
- 13 oz cream cheese
- 2.5 oz dried cranberries (dried and chopped)
- 1.75 oz walnut halves (chopped)
- 2.1 oz pistachio crumbs (20 inside and 40 outside the cheese ball)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh if possible!)
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 pinch pepper
Tools
- Food Wraps
Steps
In a bowl, mix the cream cheese (Exquisa, Philadelphia, or other) with cranberries, walnuts, parsley, salt, pepper, and 20 g of pistachio crumbs.
Mix well, compact, and form into a ball that will be wrapped in transparent food wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight, as I did.
When ready to serve, remove the wrap and roll the cheese ball in the pistachio crumbs, trying to coat it as evenly as possible.
Serve the cheese ball with cranberries, walnuts, and pistachios with small forks, crostini, breadsticks, or crackers!
It’s a delight!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your meal! Annalisa
If you’re looking for easy appetizers, here are the assorted salty snacks
read →https://blog.giallozafferano.it/asilannablu/salatini-assortiti-ricetta-antipasto/
Variations
Instead of using pistachio crumbs as a coating, we can use sun-dried tomato slices, olives, chopped parsley, or…
