Pinch me, because I really can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week! I am sure everyone is busy finalizing their plans and menu. We are doing the same over here, and dreaming of all the yummy food we will stuff ourselves with. 😉
I don’t know about you, but I love eating appetizers on Thanksgiving, especially cheesy ones. 😀 I first shared this cheese ball recipe last year, and it has become one of my family’s favorites. It is a must-have at our home this Thanksgiving. Isn’t it the best feeling, when the people you love not only enjoy your food, but request it? If you are looking for a change from the same old cheese ball, this is your cheese ball. It is truly unique, perfectly spreadable, and packed with flavor. I hope you make it part of your Thanksgiving appetizer spread. 😀 Happy almost Thanksgiving!
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!
I am super excited to share this at Fiesta Friday #146( Your co-hosts this week are me (yay!) and the lovely Petra @ Food Eat Love) and the Family Joy Blog Link Up Party!
Other yummy Thanksgiving recipes:
Tiropita (Greek Cheese and Egg Pita)
Orange Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookies
Sounds like a tasty addition to the appetizer table!! Thanks for sharing Antonia 🙂
Thanks Linda!
Antonia, What a beautiful and yummy way to start the TG meal! I love it!
Thank you so much Sandhya! Have a wonderful day 😀
Oh yum! I’m sure I’d eat most of this myself! I’m saving this recipe and will buy cream cheese and pistachios just in case we get the munchies while playing Mexican Train over the Holiday week-end.
Thank you Deborah! It is hard to resist 😉 I hope you enjoy it, if you decide to make it. Have a great day 😀
🙂 Thank you Antonia! You have a great day too!
Thank you 😀
This looks so tasty! 🙂
Thanks Ronit! Have a fabulous day 😀
I feel like Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year Antonia! We haven’t even started planning our meal yet. If you can believe it, I’ve never done appetizers on Thanksgiving. I’m loving what you did with the cheese ball- pistachios are my favorite 🙂
It’s crazy, fall is just flying by! Thank you Heather! Good luck with your planning and have a wonderful day 😀
Looks fantastic!!
Thank you Maria! Have a wonderful end to your week 😀
Thank you!
😀
What a great idea, Antonia. And fairly easy. I’m not sure what my Thanksgiving assignment is. I may just add this one 😉 Have a wonderful holiday!
Thank you Diana! It is, and comes together quickly. If you end up making it, I hope you enjoy it! Have a wonderful holiday as well, and a fantastic weekend 😀
Very nice! I love these posts where you have given us a set of amazing recipes! Thanks
Thank you Lynn! You are always so sweet! Have a wonderful Friday 😀
You too dear xx
Thank you 😀
This looks like the perfect addition to my Christmas Eve cheese plate!!!
That’s awesome Matt, I hope you enjoy it! Have a fantastic Friday 😀
That definitely deserves a spot on the thanksgiving appetizer table! Thanks for co-hosting this week! Happy FF!
Michelle
Thank you Michelle! Happy Fiesta Friday to you as well, and have a great weekend!
Cheese balls are always a good appetizer and your version looks delicious. Thanks for co-hosting 🙂
Thank you Judi! Happy Fiesta Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
Love this! Cheese balls are perfect for the holidays 🙂
Thank you Sarah! Have a fantastic weekend 😀
There is nothing nicer than a tasty cheese ball for the entertaining season! Yours is delicious! Thanks so much for co-hosting! 😀
I totally agree, I love spreadable cheese apps! Thank you Julianna! Happy Fiesta Friday and have a wonderful weekend 😀
Yum 🙂 You know I am a cheese addict, so I am very grateful for this. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Me too 😀 Thank you so much Lynne! I hope you have a lovely weekend as well 😀
Yum! This cheese ball sounds wonderful! 🙂
Thank you Nancy! Have a fantastic weekend 😀
Oh wow! Does that look incredible!! Loved your compiled Thanksgiving recipes, too. That bread and that Pudding Pie!! Yum!!
Thank you Mollie! I appreciate the sweet compliments!
Sounds unusual and yummy! Love pistachios! Looking forward to trying this recipe soon! Thanks so much! Blessings, Janet
Thank you so much Janet! I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
What a delicious appetiser, I love the idea of a crunchy pistachio coating.
Thank you Sarah! They add a great texture and flavor:D Have a wonderful rest of your day 😀