Now is the time to at least plan for your holiday celebrations and by that I mean to pick up your recipes and set them aside (saves last minute panic when you can’t remember where you found it). We have made these for years now and they are always a hit.

This one is delectable, pretty to look at and, by changing the flavour of the goat cheese, you can make them sparkly or savoury.

 

• 1 – 8 oz. pkg cream cheese (good brand), softened
• 6 oz. semisoft goat cheese
• 24  jalapeno pepper slices, well drained (this is optional)
• OR small pitted olives in place of the pepper slices
• 1/2 cup dried sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup snipped cilantro (small snips, here please)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped toasted pumpkin seeds (no shells)

In a medium bowl mix the cream cheese and goat cheese until perfectly smooth. Cover and chill for about an hour.

Use a rounded teaspoon and form it around the jalapeno slices, if using, to completely cover the pepper. This will be a sticky ‘mess’ so moisten hands as necessary. If the cheese becomes too soft, just put back in the refrigerator and chill a bit. Repeat until all ornaments have been made.

Now….on parchment paper, lay out in ‘rows’ the red pepper , the pumpkin seeds and the cilantro.  Take 1/3 of the balls and roll in the red pepper to make a strip around the middle of the ball. Take 1/3 and roll in the pumpkin seeds and the remaining in the cilantro.

Cut off some strips of the cilantro and make ‘hangers’ and put in the top of the balls. They should look like Christmas tree ornaments. Serve these with decorative picks in a side container.

This recipe will make 24 little balls. Alwayds try to be on the edge with your offerings to friends and family. It is a great element of surprise when they see what you accomplished.

Note: you can use a fig goat cheese and then make a row of a gold sanding sugar and toasted sesame seeds.