The Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Printer-Friendly)

Festive cheese ball jeweled with pomegranate seeds and pistachios for elegant occasions.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
04 - 2 tbsp sour cream
05 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ tsp salt, optional

→ Coating

09 - ½ cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
10 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, optional

# Method:

01 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and thoroughly blended.
02 - Use clean hands or a spatula to shape the mixture into a large ball. If too soft, chill for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping.
03 - Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
04 - Remove plastic wrap and set the cheese orb on a serving plate.
05 - Press chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds alternately all over the surface for a jeweled effect. Optionally sprinkle with chopped parsley.
06 - Serve immediately with crackers, crudités, or flatbread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but twenty minutes of actual work gets you a show-stopping centerpiece.
  • The combination of creamy, tangy, and salty cheeses with bursts of tart pomegranate and nutty pistachios creates layers of flavor that keep people coming back.
  • You can make it hours ahead, so it's perfect when you need something elegant but don't want to fuss while guests arrive.
02 -
  • If your cheese ball cracks when you're decorating it, the filling was too cold or too firm—next time, let it sit at room temperature for five minutes before pressing on the seeds.
  • The pomegranate seeds will weep a little juice onto the cheese, which actually looks gorgeous but can slide around; pressing them on firmly in the final minutes before serving keeps them in place.
03 -
  • Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator ten to fifteen minutes before serving so the edges soften slightly and the flavors open up on the palate.
  • Buy your pomegranate a day or two early and store it in the fridge so you're never scrambling to find seeds at the last minute.
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