The Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Printable)

Festive cheese ball adorned with pomegranate and pistachios, perfect for holiday feasts and gatherings.

# What You 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 pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
10 - 1 large pomegranate, seeds only (about 1 cup arils)
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and thoroughly combined.
02 - Using clean hands or a spatula, form the mixture into a large ball. If too soft, chill for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping.
03 - Wrap the cheese ball tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
04 - Unwrap the cheese ball and place it 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 - Present immediately with crackers, crudités, or flatbread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes impressive but requires almost no actual cooking skills, just mixing and pressing seeds into soft cheese.
  • The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy feta, and tangy sour cream creates this incredible depth that keeps people reaching for more.
  • It looks like an edible jewel box on any table, which means you get compliments before anyone even tastes it.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese is cold straight from the fridge, your mixture will be lumpy and heartbreaking, so let it sit on the counter for 20 minutes before you start mixing.
  • The pomegranate seeds will weep their juice slightly after pressing them in, which is fine and actually makes the orb look even more jewel-like, but don't press them in more than an hour before serving or the coating gets soggy.
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate the cheddar cheese finely, which prevents grainy texture and helps it blend seamlessly into the creamy base.
  • Chill your serving plate before placing the cheese ball on it, which keeps the whole thing firmer and more impressive looking for longer.
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