Friday, December 12, 2014

Pine Cone Cheese Ball – So Good, You’ll Want to Hug a Tree

Any cheese ball is a welcome addition to a holiday party spread, but when you bring one that looks like a pine cone, you’re talking about a real showstopper. 

The only danger, as I joked about in the intro, would be hurting the feelings of other guests who also decided to bring a cheese ball, sans camouflage. Hey, they’ll just have to raise their game next year.

Obviously, this seasonally appropriate appetizer can be made using any cheese spread, or cheese ball recipe, but if you’re going to use this one, which comes highly recommended, we should talk about the garlic. I love raw garlic, and since I felt a little cold coming on, I decided to be generous with the amount.

For normal people, two cloves might be a little strong here, so fair warning. If you’re a fan of roasted garlic, that would be beautiful in this as well. Also, if you’re a fan of our beer cheese recipe, there’s no way that wouldn’t be perfect too. I really hope you give this easy, delicious, and gorgeous-to-look-at pine cone cheese ball a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for one giant or two normal size pine cone cheese balls:
2 package (8 ounce ea.) cream cheese
4 ounce goat cheese
Salt, pepper and cayenne taste
1/2 to 2 cloves minced garlic, depending on how strong you want it, or roasted garlic cloves to taste
3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon picked fresh thyme leaves
whole almonds as needed

10 comments:

Unknown said...

just wanted to let you know that my husband and i are better cook now because of your videos! keep them coming!

Nise said...

After seeing it on my Facebook page this morning, my daughter-in-law and son made your cheese pinecone for a Christmas party this evening and it was a big hit. Thanks Chef John!

Unknown said...

MAKE CROQUE-MONSIEUR PLEASE!!!

Unknown said...

MAKE CROQUE-MONSIEUR PLEASE!!!

Unknown said...

He already has, Elvin:
http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2007/04/croque-monsieur-king-of-open-face.html

Unknown said...

I want to say just one word
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

rancholyn said...

Brilliant..thanks

Unknown said...

Wow this is a brilliant idea Chef John. keep up the good work!!!

Alicia said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

This looks awesome, but if the points of the almonds were arranged going the other way it would look more like a pine cone and less like an echidna. :)