Scallion and Cranberry Cheese Ball
- Dec 26, 2017
- 2 min read
As the year dwindles down to an end, we find ourselves amidst the craze of holiday parties and entertaining. But one of the most daunting tasks of these events is making sure that everything backstage runs smoothly and according to plan. As a frequent host myself of such gatherings, I have made it a mission to discover new and delicious recipes that can we whipped up in moments time while still tasting amazing. This year for Christmas, I planned a four course meal for my guests, complete from appetizers to dessert. This was one of the favorites from last night- a scallion, cranberry, and walnut cheese ball- that can be used as a dip for crackers, chips, or even crudité. This stunning dish is the perfect combination of savory and sweet, and will be the perfect start to your meal! The recipe is below.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice (I used parmesan)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (can be substituted with any dried fruit- blueberries, cherries, figs, apricots)
- 1/2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 2 scallion stalks
- 2 cups pecans
- pinch salt and pepper
Directions:
First, chop up the scallions into little pieces and finely mince the thyme leaves. Add the pecans into a food processor and blitz until they are in small pieces. If you prefer the pieces in the top layer of the cheese ball to be larger, you may choose to chop the pieces by hand. Alternatively, if you prefer the pieces to be smaller and more uniform, blitz for longer until the texture resembles that of breadcrumbs. Now, mix together the cream cheese, shredded cheese, cranberries, thyme, and scallions in a bowl. Add in salt and pepper to taste and make sure that everything is evenly mixed. With a spoon, begin to mold the cream cheese into a ball shape and add the pecan pieces into an even layer on a large piece of plastic wrap. Press the pecans into the cream cheese and mold with the plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving in order for it to maintain its shape and enjoy!
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