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December 11, 2017This is about...
Mini Holiday CHEESE BALLS---YUM!
THE HOLIDAYS ARE A CRAZY, BUSY TIME FOR ME!
And whenever I’m invited anywhere, I always bring something homemade with me. Most times it’s something sweet, but occasionally I like to switch it up with something savory.
I WANT IT TO BE SIMPLE, QUICK, EASY TO CARRY, AND OF COURSE, DELICIOUS.
These mini cheese balls are just the ticket.
I LIKE THAT THEY’RE ONE BITE, so much better than a large cheese ball that can be hard to navigate. And the cute pretzel stick makes them easy to neatly pick-up. You can whip them up in a flash,
NO FANCY PREP WORK REQUIRED. You don’t even have to go near a stove.
Plus, the variations are endless. Here’s a festive red and green version. The sweet pop of the pomegranate seeds and the hint of onion from the chives complement the cheese really well. These will get you going. Then you can take it from there.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
LESSONS Learned:
1.
You can make the cheese balls days ahead, just add the pomegranate seeds and roll in the chive mixture right before serving.
2.
Be creative! Other possibilities abound. Roll them in all sorts of fruits, nuts and veggies. You could use chopped walnuts and chopped dried cranberries, or chopped parsley and finely diced red pepper, or chopped crispy bacon and dates, just to name a few.
3. Getting the seeds out of a pomegranate looks challenging, but there’s a trick! Slice it in half along the equator and then hold one half, cut side down over a large bowl, and whack the top with a big spoon. And, the seeds will easily pop out.
Mini Holiday Cheese Balls
Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces soft goat cheese
5 ounces white cheddar cheese, grated in the small holes of a box grater
½ cup fresh pomegranate seeds
1 cup thinly sliced chives
48 small pretzel sticks
Make the cheese balls:
In a medium size bowl, stir together the 3 cheeses until well combined. Using a 2 teaspoon scoop or pinching off about 2 teaspoons (you can scoop out rounded amounts with a 1 teaspoon measure.), roll into balls, and chill covered with plastic wrap. They can stay chilled for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Pat the pomegranate seeds dry with paper towels, that way their deep red juice won’t bleed. Place the chives on a flat plate. Push 4 or 5 or more of the pomegranate seeds into each of the cheese balls and then lightly roll them in the chives. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, chilled in the fridge until ready to serve. Remove for about 10 minutes at room temperature to soften. Insert a pretzel stick in center top of each ball.
Makes 4 Dozen.
YUM!