Savory cheese truffles, an easy recipe to include in the Easter lunch menu. Small bites that disappear quickly!
There are recipes that officially fall into the very quick category, like ham appetizers or the trio of savory snacks. Savory cheese truffles certainly belong to this category: they’re easy to make and I prepare them when I have little time but still want to bring something tasty to the table, maybe for an aperitif with friends or as an unusual starter. No cooking, few ingredients and a result that always makes an impression.
The base is creamy and flavorful thanks to the spreadable cheese and the grated cheese, then comes the most indulgent part: the crunchy coating. This can be done in many ways: I roll them in chopped pistachios so each truffle has a different taste and color. It takes only a few minutes to turn simple ingredients into something elegant and inviting.
I like to serve them well chilled, perhaps accompanied by crackers or crostini, and arrange them on a serving plate like little savory jewels. They’re also perfect because they can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator until serving.
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very inexpensive
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 20
- Cooking methods: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 78.32 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 0.28 (g) of which sugars 0.08 (g)
- Proteins 4.66 (g)
- Fat 6.47 (g) of which saturated 0.94 (g)of which unsaturated 2.26 (g)
- Fibers 0.25 (g)
- Sodium 206.83 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 20 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 7 oz spreadable cheese (goat cheese (caprino) or Philadelphia (cream cheese) or even a mix)
- to taste olives
- 7 oz speck (very thinly sliced)
- to taste chopped pistachios
- to taste chopped almonds
- 4 tbsp grated Parmesan
How to make savory cheese truffles
In a bowl, mix the spreadable cheese, 3 slices of speck cut into small pieces, and the grated cheese.
Take a small portion in your hand, shape it into a ball, then roll it in the chopped pistachios and almonds.
On a toothpick, add an olive and a slice of speck, then insert it into the cheese balls.
Let the truffles rest in the refrigerator until serving.
Storage and variations on savory cheese truffles
They can be stored in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to 2 days. A trick for decoration: you can also prepare them the night before and roll them in the crumbs just before serving to preserve the crunchiness. You can replace the chopped almonds and pistachios with chopped walnuts and hazelnuts, or use spices such as curry and paprika.
