Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Print Version)

Festive cheese ball topped with pomegranate seeds and pistachios, ideal 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 pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
10 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (arils), approximately 1 large pomegranate
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, optional

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well incorporated.
02 - Form the mixture into a large ball using clean hands or a spatula; if too soft, refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to firm up before shaping.
03 - Wrap the formed ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and firm texture.
04 - Remove the orb from the refrigerator and unwrap carefully; place it on a serving platter.
05 - Evenly press chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds onto the surface, alternating to create a jeweled effect; sprinkle with parsley if desired.
06 - Present immediately alongside crackers, raw vegetables, or flatbread for an elegant appetizer.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all day in the kitchen when you actually spent twenty minutes mixing.
  • The contrast of creamy, tangy cheese with the crunch and pop of pomegranate seeds keeps people coming back for more.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so you're not stressing about feeding different diets at your gathering.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling step—a room-temperature cheese ball will slide off your plate like it's trying to escape, and the flavors won't be as pronounced.
  • Press the pistachios and pomegranate seeds gently but firmly so they stick; if they keep falling off, your ball may have been at room temperature too long.
03 -
  • Lightly toasting your chopped pistachios before pressing them on deepens the flavor and gives you a golden warmth that raw pistachios can't match.
  • Unwrap the cheese ball and let it sit at room temperature for five to ten minutes before adding your toppings—it'll hold them better than a rock-hard, straight-from-the-fridge sphere.
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