Description
Festive holiday spirits come alive with Christmas Salmon Cheese Balls, a delightful appetizer blending rich salmon and creamy cheese. These elegant morsels promise to elevate any gathering with their irresistible flavor and seasonal charm, ensuring guests will savor every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) smoked salmon, chopped
Cheese and Soft Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
Herbs, Seasonings, and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cucumber
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios (for rolling)
Instructions
- Create a harmonious blend by thoroughly stirring softened cream cheese with finely chopped smoked salmon, minced cucumber, zesty lemon juice, aromatic fresh dill, subtle garlic powder, and briny capers in a mixing bowl until the texture becomes uniformly smooth and creamy.
- Carefully craft uniform spheres from the mixture, ensuring each cheese ball maintains a consistent size and compact shape.
- Transfer the delicate orbs to a chilled plate and allow them to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 60 minutes, enabling the ingredients to meld and the texture to solidify.
- Gently coat each chilled cheese ball by rolling it through a bed of finely crushed pistachios, applying gentle pressure to ensure the nutty exterior adheres completely and creates a crisp, textured shell.
- Present the festive appetizers on an elegant serving platter, accompanied by an assortment of crisp crackers, fresh vegetable crudités, or artisan bread slices to complement the rich, maritime-inspired flavor profile.
Notes
- Chill the mixture thoroughly to ensure the cheese balls hold their shape and develop a firmer texture for easier handling.
- Toast the pistachios lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the exterior of the cheese balls.
- Swap smoked salmon with canned tuna or shredded crab for a budget-friendly alternative that maintains a similar seafood profile.
- Use gluten-free crackers or cucumber slices as serving options to make the appetizer more accessible for guests with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 367 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg