Pistachio Lemon Cheese Balls
The ultimate creamy and zesty appetizer, Pistachio Lemon Cheese Balls combine rich cheeses with fresh herbs and crunchy pistachios. Perfect for any occasion, this easy-to-make treat will impress your guests!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Chef's Knife
Ingredients
- 6 oz Cream Cheese at room temperature
- 4 oz Goat Cheese at room temperature
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil Leaves chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic very finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Meyer Lemon Zest
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 22 Pimiento Stuffed Green Olives rinsed and patted dry
- ½ cup Chopped Toasted Pistachios
Instructions
- Start by combining all the ingredients, except the olives and pistachios, in a medium bowl. Ensure the cream cheese and goat cheese are at room temperature for easy mixing. This will create a smooth, cohesive mixture. Use a spatula to blend everything well. The texture should be creamy and slightly thick.
- Once mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about thirty minutes. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to form the cheese balls later on. You want the mixture to be firm enough to handle.
- After chilling, remove the mixture from the refrigerator. With clean hands, take a spoonful of the mixture and form it into a ball, about the size of a golf ball. You should be able to make approximately twenty-two balls. Press a green olive into the center of each ball, encasing it completely within the cheese mixture.
- Next, roll each cheese ball in the toasted pistachios until they are coated. This not only adds flavor but also creates a lovely presentation. The vibrant green of the pistachios against the white cheese is visually stunning.
- Once all cheese balls are coated, place them on a platter and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours. This helps them firm up further and allows the flavors to deepen. If you're short on time, you can skip this step, but I recommend it!
- Before serving, let the cheese balls sit at room temperature for about ten minutes. This will soften them slightly, enhancing the creaminess. Serve the Pistachio Lemon Cheese Balls with toothpicks for easy enjoyment.
Notes
To keep leftovers fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will remain tasty for a few days.