Wow, that title is a mouth full, isn’t it? I tried to say it three times fast and didn’t make it through the second time. Seriously though, I wanted the title to describe every bit of deliciousness in this appetizer, even if it is a tongue twister. 🙂 This past holiday season, I turned one of my cream cheese dips into a cheese ball and it was a big hit. I plan to make it again very soon, maybe for the Super Bowl? The pistachio nuts are perfect and compliment the shallot and garlic so prominent in the cheese ball.
I don’t know about you, but I love pistachio nuts! I usually buy a few bags at a time, and somehow we didn’t get through all of them before they were almost out of date. I tend to try and use up food I have on hand, when I am hosting an event. It is a great time to go through the pantry and get creative. You know what they say…necessity is the mother of invention. Not that this cheese ball is an invention. OK, I am getting off track again. This is a delicious and unique appetizer. I hope you give it a try for your next event.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1 medium shallot
- 1 large garlic clove
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 cup roasted and salted pistachio nuts (about 1/2 cup shelled)
Instructions
- Dice the shallot and garlic. Heat up the oil on the stove over medium heat. Once heated, add the garlic and shallot, and let cook until the shallots just start to turn translucent and the garlic begins to turn golden (about 8 to 10 min). Let it cool slightly.
- Break up the cream cheese slightly and place in a food processor, with the salt. Add the olive oil, garlic, and shallots, and mix until smooth. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
- Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour before forming the cheese ball. Take out of the fridge, and place in the center of a piece of parchment paper. Using the parchment paper and/or your hands, gently roll into a cheese ball. It will be soft, and can be touched up in the final step. Cover and place in the fridge for an hour.
- Shell the pistachio nuts. Place them in a food storage bag, and crush them into small uniform pieces (I use a meat tenderizer).
- Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and gently press the nuts all around the cheese ball, and continue to keep it formed into a ball. This cheese ball is soft, but will hold up. Just keep it shaped while working with it. Place it on a serving dish, and add additional nuts and reshape if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight. This cheese ball creates a perfect spreadable appetizer.
- Serve it with crackers, crostini, chips, or my sesame crackers. Enjoy!
Excellent delicious idea for cheese lovers like me 😉
Thank you 🙂
Wow I am making this the next time I have guests. Delicious and elegant and beautiful. Perfect for entertaining.
That’s awesome! I hope you and your guests enjoy it. Thank you for your kind words 🙂
We love cheese balls for an appetizer. Who doesn’t loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee pistachios-love this Antonia!
Thank you Cheryl! Pistachio nuts are amazing 🙂
x
Oh yeah! You mean I want a mouthful! Yum!
Haha, yes 🙂 It is hard to resist!
Cheese and nuts – can’t beat that combination! Looks delicious! 🙂
Thank you Ronit! Nuts and cheese are perfect together, aren’t they? 🙂
Antonia, this looks superb !!! I love it !!! What a great idea, and I love those flavours 🙂
Thank you so much Lynne 🙂
It looks great! I make something similar and it is always a huge hit at parties!
Thank you Francesca! Cheese balls are great for entertaining 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Looks super yum.. I should try this
Thanks Vidya! I hope are able to try it 🙂
I have recently started eating pistachios! they are so huge in the middle east but I never tried them! My kids love them so this would be amazing! Thanks Antonia!
They are one of my favorite nuts Lynn. In fact, I like them with an iced latte sometimes in the afternoon. I am glad you like the recipe and I hope you get a chance to try it. It is really delicious. I hope you have a nice weekend 🙂
Have a great weekend! Yes they are addicting Antonia!
Thanks Lynn 🙂
🙂
I think a cheese ball might be the perfect appetizer! Looks yummy 🙂
Yes, I agree 🙂 Thanks Josette!
Perfect appetizer for the big game in a couple of weeks. Love using pistachios!
Thank you Judi! Pistachios are amazing 🙂 I hope you are having a nice weekend!
Hi! I nominated you for the Dragon´s Loyalty Award! It is in my last post!nataschaspalace.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/a-dragons-loyalty-award-and-how-about-recipe-for-a-%c2%a8sweet%c2%a8kiss
Thank you so much for the nomination Natascha! Congratulations on your award!
Thank you so much! xxxx
🙂
Amazing combo! Looks super delicious 🙂
Thank you very much Kushi!