PHOTOGRAPHY BY Taylor Mathis
Our Peachy family gathered for a wonderful soirée to kick off the holiday season. We shared our favorite holiday appetizers and sides. Today Cathy Austin, our interiors guru, shares with you one of her favorite appetizers to prepare for Christmas…pomegranate jeweled cheese ball! You’re guests and family will truly enjoy this gorgeous and scrumptious cheese ball!
Entertaining: Pomegranate Jeweled Cheese Ball
Course: AppetizersIngredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 fresh sage leaves
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
6 ounces freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup pomegranate arils
Directions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter. Once it’s sizzling, toss in the sage leaves and cook until crispy—flipping once and cooking about 1 minute per side. Remove the sage leaves and place them on a paper towel to crisp up a bit. Set the butter aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, mascarpone and cheddar cheese. Beat until combined and then add in the almonds, sage leaves, remaining butter, salt and pepper. Mix on low speed until combined, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and the bottom if needed. Take the cheese mixture out of the bowl and mold it into a big ball as best you can. Roll it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place the arils on a paper towel and pat them completely dry. Let them sit out while the cheese is chilling to remove as much liquid from them as possible. This will keep the cheese ball pretty!
- After 30 minutes, mold the cheese into more of a smooth ball. Add the arils to a plate or baking sheet and roll the ball through them, using your hands to press arils into all the cracks and crevices. Gently press so the arils adhere to the cheese. Serve immediately or keep it in the fridge until ready to use.
Can you make this ahead of time for a party? If so how far ahead? It is very stunning!
You could make the cheese ball the day or so before and keep refrigerated. But I would suggest waiting until a little closer to party time to add the pomegranate arils.