The festiveness of the holidays is upon us and it's time to make a plan of attack. What to serve? How to serve it? What I am bringing where? And how the heck am I going to feed all these people?
Anyway, I'm hardly the first one who thought of this but it's a staple around here during the holiday season. This is one of those great, quick appetizers you make in a moments notice. Stock your fridge with a few logs of goat cheese (it lasts a long time), some dried cranberries and shelled pistachios.
The sweet cranberries, salty nuts and earthy taste of the goat cheese are a great combination.
If you have unexpected guests, or have to work late before a party and don't want to show up empty handed...this is perfect. Also, if you have to travel a long way and need something to hold up in the car....this works well. Even if you have planned every detail down to the millisecond, this is still the perfect appetizer to put out for your guests.
I always think you should offer cold and hot apps for a party and the cold ones need to be easy so you can concentrate on cooking the others.
Now, you can roll goat cheese in anything you like but this is by far very attractive looking on a platter. Your guests will love it.
Goat Cheese with Pistachios & Cranberries
4 Tablespoons dried cranberries, chopped
4 Tablespoons shelled pistachios, chopped
Any size log of fresh goat cheese
Coarsely chop your pistachios and cranberries and combine them together on a plate. Roll the goat cheese in the nut mixture, you will also have to press the mixture in with your fingers.
Serve with your favorite crackers.
Cathy is currently in the development stages of her vineyard and winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. She is a food writer for Davis Life Magazine and blogs daily about wine, food and everyday living. She lives with her husband and two sons. You can visit her at noblepig.com.