18 December 2013

Home for the Holidays with Pistachio Crusted Cheese Ball with Cumin and Pistachios

Cheese Ball with Cumin and Pistachios
Last Christmas I came upon the idea for this recipe from Amanda Hesser a longtime staffer at the New York Times. In true More Than Burnt Toast style I made it my own. Would you agree that it just looks so festive!!!! Friends enjoyed it immensely.



This recipe appears on page 85 of  The Essential New York Times Cookbook. Be sure to use fresh spices, and don’t skimp on the lemon zest. I loved the celery added which is a new addition for me. This updated cheese ball will definitely show up for the holidays! Would you agree that it is pretty gorgeous with its pistachio crust?



**Cheese Ball with Cumin and Pistachios**

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
4 oz. goat cheese, at room temperature
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup grated Pecorino Romano
1 teaspoon toasted, ground coriander seeds
1 teaspoon toasted, ground cumin seeds
½ cup finely sliced celery heart with leaves
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt
1/3 cup salted or unsalted pistachios
Very thin plain crackers, for serving

Beat the cream cheese and goat cheese in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add lemon juice and zest. Fold in Pecorino Romano, coriander, cumin, celery, mint, and pepper. Season to taste with salt.

Lay a large piece of plastic wrap across the counter, and spoon cheese mixture onto it. Wrap tightly and chill for 2 hours or overnight.


Dice pistachios. Roll cheese ball in the nuts until covered.


Chill cheese ball for up to 2 days. Serve at room temperature.



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13 comments:

  1. I'd say this is the elitist of cheese balls. Love the look!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. Great party food! Lovely flavors.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. Who knows why in Italy we don't have something similar. A cheese ball that includes seeds and lemon juice sounds extremely intriguing to me!

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  4. Fabulous cheese ball. I would have never though of pistachios. I bet they are wonderful with the goat cheese.
    Sam

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  5. I know I would enjoy that ball of goodness!

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  6. I just had my Christmas open house party but that won't stop me from serving this at my next get together.

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  7. This looks pretty dang awesome. I love the pistachios!

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  8. This is one sophisticated cheese ball! It looks and sounds delicious. Pistachios never occurred to me in a cheese ball. Thanks for the recipe!

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  9. i think that i'll automatically become a fan of anything bedecked with pistachios. yum!

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  10. This is such a nice cheese ball. I like the idea of adding pistachios.

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  11. That is the most interesting cheese ball I have ever seen. Get me some crackers stat!

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  12. Looks delicious Val. I have seen seeds and nuts added in all kinds of unexpected ways here in la belle Paris. Will report when we return.

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  13. No matter how more retro cheese balls get throughout the coming years, I will always be the first to dig into one! I'm glad you agree and shared this delicious recipe Val!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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